Critical spare parts. How to stop a breakdown from halting production for weeks

The repair itself often takes a few hours. Production, however, stands still for days or weeks because a part is missing. A well-planned stock of critical spare parts is one of the most effective ways to reduce downtime.

Which parts are critical

A critical part meets two conditions: its failure stops production and it takes a long time to deliver. Typical examples are special gearboxes, motors with non-standard dimensions, hydraulic cylinders, control units or parts the manufacturer no longer makes. Go through the line machine by machine and ask what happens if each one fails.

Stock by risk, not by habit

Keeping everything in stock is expensive; keeping nothing is risky. A sensible compromise is to stock parts with long lead times and a high impact of failure, and for the rest to have a trusted supplier and a known delivery time. Review the list once a year based on actual failures.

Records and condition of parts

A part that sits in the warehouse unusable is just as much of a problem as a missing one. Check storage conditions, monitor the shelf life of bearings and seals, and keep installation documentation for larger assemblies. Clear labelling of which machine a part belongs to also helps.

Fast transport as a safety net

When a part is not in stock, speed decides. Direct transport from another plant or supplier can save days compared with standard parcel services. It pays to have transport arranged before you need it.

We help you identify critical parts, source replacement or overhauled components and deliver them quickly to where they are needed.