How service agreements can steady a shifting world

Do you feel like the world is an increasingly uncertain place? If so, you’re not the only one. According to the World Uncertainty Index, even the calmest post-2020 periods are more chaotic than any time in the 90s or mid-2000s, and when it comes to maintaining critical equipment like compressors, this uncertainty is the last thing you need.

Compressors are the beating heart of many industrial processes, but in today’s volatile world keeping them running efficiently and cost-effectively can be a challenge. Between supply chain disruptions, evolving technology, and the constant pressure to reduce downtime and operating costs, businesses are juggling a lot. That’s where long-term service agreements can make a real difference.

Why long-term agreements work – For us, and for you

We believe long-term service agreements are more than just contracts. They’re about building trust, working together, and finding smarter ways to keep your business running smoothly.

By setting clear expectations, ensuring consistent support, and eliminating common points of friction, these agreements create a foundation of reliability. By ensuring that a business’ compressors are running smoothly, they mean there’s one less thing to worry about, freeing up time and resources and allowing them tackle bigger challenges and seize new opportunities.

From our experience, long-term service partnerships bring a lot to the table for both parties.

Achieve stability with a sensible service agreement

• Plan with peace of mind. Nothing messes up a well-planned budget like a sudden spike in maintenance expenses. Clear terms and predictable costs mean fewer headaches and more time to focus on what really matters.
• Keep your assets in expert hands. When you’re dealing with the complex machinery used in compressors, experience matters. A long-term partnership ensures you always have access to specialists and a secure supply chain, so your assets are maintained by those who know them best.
• Know who to call and what to expect. No more chasing down the right person or guessing who’s responsible. A long-term service agreement gives you a dedicated contact and clearly defined roles, so you always know who to reach out to and what support you can count on.
• Know what’s going on, always. It’s a cliché, but knowledge is power. Condition monitoring services give you real-time data and insights, so you can make decisions with confidence (and a little less stress).
• Avoid downtime. Downtime costs money. A long-term service agreement keeps your compressors running at optimal performance, maximizing productivity and minimizing interruptions.
• Avoid the paperwork ping-pong. When every job needs to be hashed out from scratch, it’s easy to waste time on back-and-forth. A long-term service agreement means clear, agreed-upon terms are already in place, so you can skip the "battle of the forms" and focus on getting the job done.

LTSAs are only one part of the equation. If such a comprehensive contract is too complex for you at the moment, we offer all kinds of service agreements that are tailored to your requirements and that can grow during our relationship.

For us, partnership solutions is not just a buzzword; we breathe life into these words with our dedicated training so you can ensure your teams can minimize downtime and maximize reliability.

In a good partnership, both partners listen to each other. Our Voice of Customer satisfaction survey is a continuous improvement initiative based on regular customer feedback.

We are also happy to share our knowledge with you either at our BC Technology Days or online in live webinars on TechXchange, where we discuss cases to help maximizing the performance and sustainability of your compressor. And, of course, you will meet our experts at many exhibitions and conferences.

Partnerships are the smart way to ensure you always have access to the exact range and depth of services you need.

But what about you?

We think long-term service agreements are a no-brainer, but we know they’re not for everyone. What’s your experience with them? Have you seen the benefits firsthand—like improved lifecycle costs and streamlined maintenance? Or have you faced challenges with implementation?

We want to hear from you:

• Do you use long-term service agreements?
• What’s been your experience—good, bad, or somewhere in between?

Written by Serafina Vulcano , Global Key Account Manager at Burckhardt Compression