An independent study by Forrester Consulting for ABB Turbocharging found that 87% of organisations work only or mostly with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for maintenance support and spare parts procurement in order to reduce downtime and maximise efficiency.
The Forrester Consulting Technology Adoption Profile (TAP) revealed that most organisations that rely on heavy machinery for their business focus on the overall total cost of ownership (TCO) of their equipment, rather than the short-term savings gained from sourcing cheaper, third-party spare parts and service.
According to the survey, the majority of organisations feel that sourcing initially cheaper spare parts and services may leave their operations vulnerable to risk, which can result in long-term higher maintenance and operational costs. Respondents gave the opinion that long-term productivity and efficiency of their assets during service and maintenance procurement process is a key focal point.
The survey also highlighted that quality of service and parts can have a direct impact on business performance. In addition to better spare parts access and improved reliability, OEMs were confirmed by respondents to offer the benefits of: service responsiveness; expertise and business knowledge; as well as the required quality of parts and service, which can contribute to higher application efficiency.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that organisations expect long-term business value from OEM suppliers, with relationships for better managed services provision, expertise and diagnostics recognised. The majority of respondents also identified the importance of meeting key performance indicators and offering strong service level agreements.
Rolf Bosma, Head of Service Sales, ABB Turbocharging commented: “In our opinion, this study is well-aligned with the current increased demand for turbocharger OEM managed service offerings which we have seen rise by 20% year-on-year. Outsourcing maintenance of industrial equipment has become prevalent in the turbocharging market with a focus on maximising uptime and increasing application efficiency. Through our latest technology and offerings for turbocharger servicing, spare parts and upgrades, the multiple benefits of working closely with OEMs are being recognised by customers for the strong potential to deliver long term business gains.”
The individuals surveyed held responsibility for maintenance, repair and supplier management in 105 organizations that leverage large engines and capital intensive machinery.
Image: TPL turbocharger courtesy of ABB.
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