Greg Denning, President, All American Mechanical Contractors
One lesson to come out of the Great Recession is that "lean and mean" is here to stay. During the recession companies started counting pennies and looking at where they could shave costs. Although the economy is looking up, maintenance managers are still looking for ways to keep costs down.
Here are some cost-saving tips gathered from many years in the industry.
Implement a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). If you don't have a CMMS, it would be a good idea to establish one. This not only helps you get more organized than with paper files, but it is also a good way to track work orders and review efficiency. Other advantages are storing all the maintenance records and warranty information in one place, so it is easier to locate. You can also track how long it takes to complete a work order. This is a huge time-saving tool, and since time is money, it also turns into a money-saving tool. Implement an effective preventative maintenance program. Just like with automobiles, it is often cheaper to maintain industrial hardware instead of fixing it. Regular maintenance means equipment can keep running for years, and you don't face huge costs to replace equipment. In addition, equipment that runs efficiently also reduces energy costs. Industry experts estimate that proactive maintenance can save up to 18% in maintenance costs.
Nip water leaks in the bud quickly. Water leaks can run up facilities' costs extremely quickly, so leaks from roofs, pipes, and tanks should be quickly discovered and repaired. In addition, undiscovered water leaks can lead to more expensive problems down the road, such as mould and water damage. If your facility is running a high water bill, it may be a sign that you have undiscovered leaks. You can also work with your local utility department to do a water audit and discover what areas have high water use. Utilize high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems. Energy efficiency is becoming a buzzword in the maintenance and repair industry as companies become greener and look at ways to save money. Maintenance engineers can reduce plant costs by controlling energy usage with automated controls, such as motion sensors that shut off lights when there is no movement in a room. Engineers can also recommend energy management control systems that shut off the heating and air conditioning after 5 p.m. and on weekends. Cutting energy costs here and there adds up in the long run. Develop a partnership with the right facilities maintenance company. This piece of advice is mainly directed at plant managers. If your maintenance company is not asking any of the above questions about cost cutting, they should be. Asking these kinds of questions shows that they are being proactive about saving money on maintenance costs.
Finally, the above points are designed to give maintenance and repair engineers food for thought when they are working at facilities. Implementing some of these ideas will help your clients save money in the long run. Most companies value a contractor who can bring down costs.
All American Mechanical Contractors, Inc. is a facilities maintenance company?based in Brea, CA.
