How do we constantly improve if we are dealing with the same downtime and repairs day after day? You need to sit down and decide what is more important, that extra load or making sure your equipment will run another day successfully. Has there been any issues today that need attention, have we made the best use of time when it comes to our equipment?
I am a firm believer in constant improvement. This is as important in your tools as it is in customer service or process. My opinion it is the most important in tools. The correct tool will make jobs easier, faster and less labor intensive. If the tool, for example, a wheel loader, is broken or prone to breaking then life is not as enjoyable for the employees and work takes longer. A successful maintenance program is key to the survival of your tools and equipment. If your equipment breaks because you put off the maintenance, is the time you spent on the last load really a profit.
Timing is everything, if you wait it will cost more, no matter what. Do the maintenance as it is scheduled. It is a difficult concept to suggest, shutting down equipment to change the oil, grease it or replace a part that hasn’t yet failed. I can tell you it makes a huge amount of sense to avoid the cost of being down for 3-4 days waiting for parts and that expense could have been avoided all together. We go back to the daily check list and the weekly manager reviews of the checklist. As a manager, it is in your hands to make the call to shut a piece of equipment down. The best way to explain shutting down a piece of equipment is to ask the owner how much a new one costs. After they acknowledge the fact that it is considerably more to replace it, a repair is always better.
So what exactly does this mean, constant improvement? Well, you are planning for the future. You’re in control of what happens and when. When you do this you can be more profitable thus improving. When you look at your financials and you are more profitable because your costs are down then you have improved. These are all small things that can make a big difference. Take the time to do the daily checklist, oil changes, grease the machine and repair even small problems. You will see a large change in your employees and your bottom line.
Adam Lindley, Sales and Marketing Manager, SAS Forks, 12yrs.
Adam grew up working in his family business of Semi-tractor/trailer repair, specializing in tank trailers. He attended and graduated NWTC weld/fabrication as a Certified Welder. He started his career as an automotive repair technician and became ASE Certified Master Tech, then moved on to heavy equipment. Adam travels to customer’s yards assisting with equipment installation, training and repairs as well as forklift training for groups and tradeshows. Working at SAS we strive to design and develop new products for the Auto Salvage industry. Adam is in the forefront of this industry and currently has 4 patents.
SAS Forks, 877-727-3675, www.sasforks.com.