by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 2, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
This column is a brief follow-up to my recent article, “Revisit Your Bidders’ Lists, Sooner Than Later” (July 25, 2020). While focusing specifically on pumping systems, some of the suggested strategies (and stated opinions) discussed here could have...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Jul 26, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Workforce Issues
Two of the often overused, mis-used, and mis-understood words in plants today are “reliability” and “leadership.” Businesses that have not fully understood and defined what these two words mean in their organizations and the way they are...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, Editor | Jul 19, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Sustainable Plant
As with any effort to improve performance on aspects of manufacturing, metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) provide a measuring stick with which to gauge progress. The E60.13 technical committee of the American Society for Testing & Materials, now known...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Jul 12, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Training & Qualification
Since we’re well into the year under the cloud of COVID-19, many organizations have resorted to a variety of video-conferencing platforms to stay in touch and tokeep business-decision-making moving forward. Educators, too, have transitioned to online classes for...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 5, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
In 1984, I was reporting to an enlightened Reliability Manager at a leading multinational petrochemical corporation. At some point, he asked for a briefing on equipment-reliability issues at one of our plants. As I explained, projects at several of our sites were...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Jun 28, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations
For most businesses, the first and second quarters of 2020 will go down in the record books as their worst ever. With many non-essential-deemed manufacturing operations having to lay off or furlough much of their workforces and slow down or mothball their plants, the...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Jun 21, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column
We’re finding ourselves in a world of new-tech on the plant floor, including in areas related to the never-ending quest for improved worker productivity and reliable equipment. In other words, we’re looking at a lot of opportunities right now. But...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 14, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
This title might seem vaguely familiar to some readers. It could be because I’ve touched on the topic in other articles and columns that I’ve written here and elsewhere. In my opinion, it highlights an ongoing problem in many a workplace. Permit me to...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Jun 7, 2020 | Maintenance Management, Newsletter Column
I recently sat in a budget meeting where the maintenance manager was making a pitch for a new $150,000-piece of labor-saving equipment. He waxed eloquently about its many features and how it would make his department’s work so much easier. Another department...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | May 31, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
I know this title comes across as a cryptic comment. But, it’s also a reminder that removing seemingly useless components associated with plant-equipment systems can have unforeseen (albeit not unforeseeable) consequences. Remember, too, that all effects have causes,...
