By De Wet Joubert, operations and strategic projects director, RS South Africa.
As rail companies seek to enhance cost efficiencies, implementing a robust strategy for both planned and unplanned maintenance is crucial to improving the bottom line. This is especially important in South Africa, where the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has indicated that the full recovery of national commuter rail services is a top priority.
The White Paper on National Rail Policy, an overarching framework to guide the vision for the future of the railway industry in South Africa, was approved in 2022. As an affordable, competitive, effective, integrated, reliable, safe, sustainable, and valued transport mode, rail is expected to provide the backbone of South Africa’s freight logistics and passenger mobility systems by 2050.
This will have a major impact on economic growth and social development. However, a key focus to achieve this vision is to ensure adequate spend on maintenance, repair and operations (MRO). This has two distinct categories, planned maintenance and unplanned maintenance.
Planned maintenance
When it comes to planned maintenance, the secret is in the quality of the planning. A clear maintenance schedule should be established well in advance, allowing downtime to be scheduled in a way that minimises inconvenience for passengers. This foresight enables engineers and procurement teams to order necessary parts from trusted suppliers ahead of time, securing the best prices and the required product quality.
De Wet Joubert, operations and strategic projects director, RS South Africa.
Focusing solely on price when purchasing parts for planned maintenance can be a false economy. Constant pressure to achieve greater productivity can sometimes foster short-term thinking. Spending excessive time trying to save a few rands by purchasing from non-approved suppliers often overlooks the longer-term costs. The extra time spent on finding lower prices and navigating slower approval processes can ultimately cost the business more.
It is much more effective to have a small number of approved suppliers that consolidate a selection of products, ideally utilising an e-procurement system to expedite the purchasing process. This approach ensures engineers promptly receive the products they need, reduces time spent on procurement, and allows the procurement department to track purchases efficiently.
Prioritising unplanned maintenance
Unplanned maintenance demands a different approach, where the focus shifts to stock availability and rapid delivery, to mitigate potential fines for equipment downtime. With unplanned maintenance, it is vital to have suppliers that offer a wide range of stock and can deliver quickly. At RS, we maintain a comprehensive stock range and work closely with our suppliers and customers to ensure critical parts are delivered as swiftly as possible.
Many companies stockpile parts internally for self-distribution. While holding critical parts on hand is sometimes necessary, large suppliers like RS can often provide next-day delivery, outpacing internal distribution. This practice not only accelerates the availability of parts, but also reduces the costs associated with storing unused inventory.
Strategic partnerships for operational excellence
By partnering with reliable suppliers and leveraging efficient procurement processes, rail companies can significantly reduce downtime and operational costs. The strategic balance between planned and unplanned maintenance, supported by a robust supply chain, is essential for sustaining efficiency and service quality in the rail industry.
RS has the expertise, and access to the latest products and premium brands, to allow for proactive maintenance strategies that add to socioeconomic development and assist to realise the government’s long-term vision for the rail industry. A strategic supplier partnership with RS allows rail companies to avoid disruptions, enhance operational efficiency, and ultimately boost profitability.
Novel bearing steel next generation of aeroengines SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
SKF continues to re-imagine intelligent and clean rotation with the development of an innovative temperature-resistant, corrosion-tolerant steel called ARCTIC15 designed for aeroengine bearings.
Read more...RS South Africa shapes future engineering talent RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa is demonstrating that nurturing future engineers goes beyond traditional classrooms or competitions. On STEM Day, the company shone a light on the full spectrum of its educational initiatives.
Read more...Products from maxon
Motion Control & Drives
A wide range of new products is available from motion control specialist, maxon. with a diverse technology portfolio ranging from highly integrated robotic actuators to powerful servo drives and controllers.
Read more...Actuators for precise hexapod movements
Motion Control & Drives
Aerotech, manufacturer of high-performance motion control and automation systems, is expanding its Automation1 platform. These compact hexapod devices enable the complete integration of six-axis motion systems into existing control
Read more...The smart choice for test and measurement solutions RS South Africa
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
As the demand for precision and efficiency continues to grow across industries, RS PRO, the own brand of RS, provides a complete portfolio of test and measurement equipment engineered to meet the highest standards of performance, safety and value.
Read more...Building resilient supply chains through smarter e-procurement RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
In a time of constant disruption, from supply chain uncertainty to rising operational costs, businesses that embrace digital procurement are better positioned to stay competitive and resilient.
Read more...Precision meets performance: The ELGD Axes Family from Festo Festo South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Festo has introduced the ELGD axes family, engineered for the demands of future-focused industries. With cutting-edge guide technology, exceptional rigidity and high load capacity, these axes deliver more performance within the same installation footprint.
Read more...Condition monitoring in hazardous areas SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
SKF is further strengthening its condition monitoring offer portfolio by a newly developed hazardous area version of its Microlog Analyzer dBX portable vibration analyser.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version