The Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) hosts one of North America’s largest dedicated maintenance and reliability conferences. It’s the premier venue for showcasing cutting‑edge research, sharing best practices, and networking with peers. We are already planning the 2010 co

Extending oil drain intervals through fluid analysis remains a cornerstone of cost‑effective fleet maintenance. By monitoring oil condition and engine wear, departments can reduce consumable expenses while safeguarding engines. Modern oil formulations have enabled remarkable extensions of drain inte

Painting building roofs white has the potential to significantly cool cities and help counter global warming, a new study shows. This computer‑modeling research is the first to simulate the worldwide impacts of white roofs on urban areas, offering promising evidence for the concept. Led by scientist

MISTRAS Group Inc. announced on February 23 that Mark Carlos will serve as chairman of ASTM International’s E07 Committee on Non‑Destructive Testing (NDT). ASTM International is a worldwide volunteer organization that brings together producers, users, end‑customers and other stakeholders to develop

In the world of electrical motor diagnostics, manufacturers often flood spec sheets with technical jargon—sometimes pushing the limits of clear communication. This phenomenon, colloquially known as “specmanship,” can obscure critical details that affect the accuracy of current‑signal spectral analys

GreenWood Inc., a leader in integrated maintenance, operations and construction solutions, has appointed Chris Hemmings as its new Chief Financial Officer. With more than 25 years of experience spanning auditing, accounting and project finance across the United States and abroad, Hemmings brings a d

Drew Troyer, president of Noria Services and chief vision officer of Noria Corporation, will be the keynote speaker at Oracle’s fourth annual Customer Maintenance Summit, scheduled for March 9‑10 in Redwood Shores, California.Troyer’s address, titled “Plant Reliability in Dollars and Sense,” will ex

While the headlines focus on energy and carbon cuts, most plant teams overlook a hidden drain on budgets: compressed‑air waste. Addressing it can deliver instant savings and sharpen competitiveness. Management often looks for large, capital‑intensive projects, missing inexpensive, high‑ROI fixes tha

In 2008 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) announced that the development of a new energy‑management system standard, ISO 50001, would become a top priority. The standard, slated for publication in early‑to‑mid 2011, will give organizations a proven framework for managing energ

Applications for the 2010 North American Maintenance Excellence (NAME) Award are now available on the award’s website at www.nameaward.com. The NAME Award recognizes manufacturing, processing, and service industry sites that have achieved world‑class excellence in maintenance, reliability, and capac

Soft‑foot problems can quietly elevate vibration and misalign machine components while the equipment remains in operation. Vibration analysis provides a reliable, non‑intrusive method to confirm a soft‑foot condition without the need to shut down the machine. Secure an accelerometer to the suspecte

International standards define reliability as the probability that a unit will perform its required functions without failure for a specified period when operated under defined conditions. The reliability target is established during the design phase of an asset’s life cycle. Production variations

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation’s ethylene facility in Kashima, Japan, was honored as the 2009 HART Plant of the Year by the HART Communication Foundation. The award recognized the plant’s pioneering application of HART communication technology to enhance real‑time operations, cut costs, and boost a

In the past decade, the reliability engineering landscape has shifted dramatically. Companies are moving from time‑based maintenance, and even from traditional predictive maintenance, toward a focused strategy: selective upgrading. The Role of Service ProvidersEven the most advanced organizations in

In the high‑stakes world of oil and gas, a tailored maintenance and inspection strategy is essential to safeguard uptime and mitigate risk. TOTAL’s latest Indonesian gas extraction and processing initiative exemplifies how a comprehensive, integrated approach can elevate plant reliability while con

The Pepperidge Farm plant in Willard, Ohio, is renowned for producing high‑quality cookies and crackers. Its lines are so in demand that flagship products like the Milano cookie run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With such relentless production, any downtime on the line can cost the company hund

Informance International, a global leader in enterprise manufacturing intelligence, announced on March 8 that Unilever has extended the use of its SaaS‑based TPM solution to all plants in the Americas. This expansion supports Unilever’s Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy, which aims to boos

Emerson Process Management’s plant‑wide wireless network is transforming the Novartis biopharma facility in Huningue, France. By integrating its DeltaV digital automation platform with a robust Wi‑Fi system and mobile operator stations, the plant now delivers real‑time process data to both operators

A study on perceptions around the deployment of the nation’s smart grid was released on March 9 by Penton Research and Transmission & Distribution World, sponsored by S&C Electric Company—a leader in smart‑grid technology shaping the future of reliable electric delivery.The survey captured i

ABB’s award‑winning Expert Optimizer has lifted productivity by 9 % at Nordkalk’s Lohja limestone processing plant in Finland, demonstrating the impact of advanced process control in energy‑intensive operations. Nordkalk, the premier producer of premium limestone‑based products across northern Europ