MRO Insights
The storeroom is the nexus of the MRO supply chain.
Through it, most parts, requisitions, purchase orders, inventory, maintenance requests, etc. must flow. Yet, because of the high volume and low value of the materials involved, the MRO storeroom is often among the most ignored components of a manufacturing facility and has been for years.
It is also where many of the challenges of the MRO supply chain are uncovered:
o?? Poor data? Check.
o?? Insufficient inventory? Check.
o?? No critical spares? Check
o?? Incorrect part quantities? Check.
o?? Obsolete inventory? Check.
That’s not to say those and other problems originate in the storeroom. But that is where they are often unveiled.
It is also where many of those problems can be solved. Implementing an optimized design and operation of your MRO storeroom contributes significantly to overall supply chain performance. Consistent and efficient inventory processes and practices reverberate throughout the plant and campus:
o?? Maintenance gains access to the necessary parts quickly and easily.
o?? Procurement understands exactly what parts are needed and when.
o?? Finance easily tracks storeroom transactions.
o?? Operations can focus more on manufacturing.?
The goal of the process is to reduce downtime, risk, and obsolete inventory through:
o?? Storeroom operations
o?? Inventory optimization
o?? Critical spares identification & risk mitigation
o?? Storeroom layout & design
o?? Point-of-Use technology
A well-managed MRO storeroom translates to more effective maintenance, which leads to higher uptime rates, more production, fewer purchasing transactions, and greater profits.
Here are a couple of case studies with examples demonstrating the value of implementing a well-organized MRO storeroom.
While MRO supply chain challenges may not start in the storeroom, it can play a significant role in addressing those challenges.
?