To lower the total cost of ownership (tco) of invested equipment, it is essential for beverage producers to optimise productivity and performance across the entire lifecycle of their pet bottling line
31 March 2016
31/03/2016
Sidel, the leading provider of production equipment andservices for liquids in PET, has announced new services foreffective maintenance to help reduce costly downtime and turn itinto profitable uptime.
For beverage producers to optimise productivity, regularmaintenance is required. When this is effectively carriedout, it enables performance to be maintained or regained and evenimproved throughout the lifecycle of the equipment on the PETbottling line. This allows producers to reduce costs,maximise profitability and achieve the lowest total cost ofownership for their investment.
Pavel Shevchuk, Vice President for Services at Sidel, comments -"With the support of a proactive service provider who understandsthe equipment and the opportunities it offers to optimiseperformance of a production line, beverage producers are able toachieve their productivity targets cost effectively. Thisapproach is leading to many beverage producers taking a moreholistic approach to maintenance, working with Sidel to help lowerTCO, raise productivity and optimise performance across thelifecycle of a line."
The cost benefits of proactive maintenance
By adopting a preventive rather than reactiveapproach, equipment is monitored, allowing pre-planning ofscheduled downtime to carry out all essential regular maintenance.
Thereby the potential for long, costly and inconvenientshutdowns and loss of production are limited. It also helps toensure that production schedules and targets are achieved, withregular health checks helping to extend the longevity of the line.As important as recognising the necessity of maintenance, is thechoice of the type of maintenance undertaken and the providerchosen to carry it out. Sidel has introduced new dedicatedmaintenance services to reflect this importance.
Sidel's three-phased approach tomaintenance
The reasons for intervention in any line's productionperformance can often be put down to three different causes: theneed for a producer simply to maintain the line performing with itscurrent efficiency; the need to regain production capability in thecase of a breakdown; and the wish to improve performance and/orproductivity.
Maintaining performance over any length of timegenerally requires the provision of service support such asdiagnostic visits, spare parts supply, targeted skills training andregular, efficient maintenance work. To regainperformance in the event of a breakdown, effective action tofix the issue quickly is essential in restarting production. This is either through well trained employees resolving the problemin-house or via the service provider. Improved performancecan be achieved through options and upgrades that add value. As new technologies and solutions are developed by Sidel,these offer line improvement solutions that can significantlyincrease quality, flexibility and production performance oninstalled equipment.
Another important factor in the effective maintenance of abottling line, whether for emergencies or normal wear and tear, isthe need for the timely provision of original spare parts, ideallydesigned, tested and certified by the same engineers who designedthe machine. Sidel is therefore also aiming to encourage amore proactive approach to inventory management among itscustomers.
Comprehensive on-site and remote support
The right equipment must be backed with the expertise and speedof response of a team that can offer a genuinely comprehensivesupport service. Sidel offers a combination of knowledge andexpertise along with ease of accessibility on a global basis.
Sidel undertakes some 1,400 diagnostic visits a year toensure a true understanding of its equipment currently operating inthe market, developing customised maintenance services and sharingits expertise. The company has a global team providing 24/7technical support on dedicated hotlines, along with instantemergency troubleshooting via remote access.
Wherever on-site intervention is required, Sidel has more than850 field service engineers in strategic geographic locationsthroughout the world locally available. In the event of anyequipment failure, global field experts can be dispatched toprovide hands-on assistance to quickly bring productivity back totarget levels.
Equally, training can also play a vital role in keeping aproduction line running smoothly. When employees are wellinstructed and able to carry out fast and efficient maintenanceprocesses, they too can bring the line quickly back up to speedonce the necessary work is fully completed.
