The Six "Rights" of Your Factory MRO Storeroom Quality

In Industrial production handling, Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO) inventory directly affects operational efficacy. This process rests on the recognition and application of six fundamental principles of MRO storeroom quality. These include the right part, the right place, adequate storage conditions, proper quantities, sound cost consideration, and quality assurance.

1. The Right Part:

It's crucial to keep an upto date Master Parts Catalogue (MPC) within the computerised maintenance management system (CM). This should include details such as manufacturer information, part numbers, descriptions, costs, lead times, and sourcing options. By doing this, you can order more smoothly, reduce wait times and keep mistakes to a minimum.

2. The Right Place:

Effective storeroom management adheres to the principle of "having a designated spot for every item and making sure each item is in its place." It’s not wise to fully depend on a parts expert and it's better to establish a well organised system for part storage. Keeping shelves labelled, recording locations in the CMMS and ensuring easy access helps prevent downtime due to missing parts.

3. The Right Storage:

The conditions of your storeroom greatly affects how well parts are preserved. Regulating humidity levels and temperature as well as applying particular storage methods for certain items ensures the parts remain in usable condition. Adding an access control system prevents unauthorized removal of inventory and allows accurate tracking.

4. The Right Quantity:

Setting proper reorder criteria based on safety stock levels, reorder points and economic order quantity help maintain optimum inventory levels. A reliable bill of material (BOM) will aid in identifying key assets along with their usage rates which aids in stocking the right amount particularly for sets.

5. The Right Cost:

To manage total inventory costs strategically, engage in smart sourcing to minimize expenses. Whenever possible, source directly from manufacturers, as this can result in significant savings. However, always verify the compatibility of the part and obtain approval from stakeholders before making any replacements to ensure that reliability is not compromised by cost-saving measures.

6. The Right Quality:

Maintaining quality requires careful inspection when receiving new parts. It is essential to match all details against the manufacturer's specifications and thoroughly inspect returned parts. This ensures that subpar or incomplete items do not take up space in your storeroom, thereby preventing future outages.

For efficient and successful MRO storeroom management, understanding and consistently applying these six principles is essential. In doing so, companies can lessen the risks of downtime, optimize inventory costs and ensure that spare parts are always available to keep production efficiency and reliability high.