In this article I examine the critical link between operations, maintenance and engineering, focusing specifically on the operations‑maintenance dynamic. I have addressed this topic before, but the recurring questions make a refresher worthwhile. Often, the relationship between operations and mainte

While weight loss is often framed as eating less and exercising more, the same principles of discipline, early problem detection, and systematic planning underpin successful maintenance programs. Many organizations struggle with both weight‑loss and maintenance because they overlook these shared fun

Many reliability and maintenance improvement initiatives fail to achieve their promised outcomes. What drives this shortfall? Through years of consulting, I’ve identified several common pitfalls: Top‑management lacks deep understanding, clear direction, and long‑term commitment. Projects are driven

While most maintenance departments recognize the importance of both planning & scheduling and condition‑based maintenance, the real advantage emerges only when these disciplines are integrated. This article explains how their combined application delivers results that far surpass what each can achie

Ivara Corporation Welcomes Ricky Smith as Reliability Strategy LeaderAsset reliability solutions provider Ivara Corporation has appointed Ricky Smith as its new Reliability Strategy Leader. In this role, Smith will spearhead Ivara’s initiatives to reinforce its leadership position in the asset relia

In the fast‑paced environment of a pulp and paper mill, subtle clues can signal impending equipment failure. Listening to these signals is essential for maintaining reliability and preventing costly downtime.Think of a motor that feels sluggish, a pump that leaks, a bearing that hums, or a steam lin

Why Morning Meetings MatterAcross global manufacturing plants, the 8 a.m. huddle has become a staple. However, many of these gatherings fail to deliver value, leaving staff confused and downtime creeping in.The Typical PitfallIn the most common scenario, the room is cramped, the facilitator whispers

When I first stepped into a plant as a recent graduate, I delivered a seminar on proactive maintenance, hoping to convince mechanics that keeping machines running longer would cut downtime and boost profits. What I met was a skeptical audience. At 150 pounds, I felt the old talk‑and‑see‑me‑go logic

Do you aim to be merely good or to achieve greatness? Being good is like a second‑string quarterback, an opening act at a concert, or a supporting role in a blockbuster movie. It earns a lukewarm reception and often results in mid‑course cancellations. Greatness is the hallmark of legends such as Jo

Rising pressure to demonstrate return on capital investments, combined with the need to do more with less, compels companies across all sizes to scrutinize their maintenance strategy for profit‑enhancing gains. A strategic maintenance framework, coupled with disciplined KPI usage, enables organizati

Proactive treatment of threaded pipes and fasteners with specialized thread treatments is essential for efficient, cost‑effective manufacturing. Threaded fastener loosening is a leading cause of equipment failure, costing industries millions in unscheduled downtime annually. Additionally, over a bil

To the more than 50,000 industrial professionals reading this, welcome to the inaugural issue of Reliable Plant magazine. This publication is a direct response to the feedback and requests we received from our community at Noria Corporation. I am Paul V. Arnold, the editor and your companion on a jo

Welcome Reliable Plant readers to my new column, which I’ve titled The Exponent. I’m thrilled to start this conversation with you. I chose the name The Exponent deliberately. The dictionary offers two key definitions: A symbol placed above and to the right of a mathematical expression to denote exp

Whirlpool Corporation has long been a trusted name in home appliances, powering households with dishwashers and washing machines that rely on precise water and detergent chemistry to eliminate grime. Financially, the company is a $13 billion‑a‑year enterprise that has consistently earned a spot on t

Manufacturers are increasingly turning to data‑driven asset management to lift profits. Two critical metrics—Return on Net Assets (RONA) and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)—allow leaders to gauge how efficiently their assets translate into production, revenue, and cost control. RONA is a stra

The age‑old adage that death and taxes are inevitable is often extended to machines. While a machine that generates profit is subject to taxation, is its demise equally certain? MIT professor emeritus Ernest Rabinowicz identifies three primary forces that erode machine usefulness: obsolescence, acci

For years, maintenance has been seen as a tedious, routine task—essential for productivity yet undervalued as a revenue‑driving function. The common question is, “Why do we need to maintain equipment regularly?” The answer: to keep it reliable. The deeper question—“How much has the equipment degrade

Reliability is a cornerstone of operational excellence. Plant leaders frequently cite it in mission statements—“increase profitability through greater reliability.” Yet when asked to define and quantify the term, answers are often vague. In manufacturing and process industries, the precise def

Planning and scheduling are essential but can become sources of frustration when crews must respond to unplanned emergencies. The core issue? Supervisors often forbid crews from tackling urgent repairs without a formal work order, while planners are penalized for failing to deliver a plan on time.

GE Digital, a pioneer in industrial IoT solutions, today launched its latest offering: the Predix ServiceMax Asset Service Management (ASM) platform. Designed to transform asset maintenance from a reactive break‑fix approach to a proactive predictive model, ASM empowers operators to extend asset lif