Web-based maintenance system rolled out at Stadco

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Automotive body-in-white stampings and sub assemblies maker Stadco, which supplies the likes of Ford, Jaguar, BMW, Land Rover, Peugeot, MG Rover and Volkswagen, has rolled out its own novel internet-based preventive maintenance and breakdown management system across Europe. Brian Tinham reports

Automotive body-in-white stampings and sub assemblies maker Stadco, which supplies the likes of Ford, Jaguar, BMW, Land Rover, Peugeot, MG Rover and Volkswagen, has rolled out its own novel internet-based preventive maintenance and breakdown management system across Europe. It’s part of the firm’s response to the vehicle OEMs’ pressure on suppliers to reduce manufacturing costs, improve efficiency and ensure reliability of parts delivery, and runs alongside the firm’s shopfloor data capture systems, also being rolled out. Unusually, Stadco’s answer was to use its own IT resource to develop EAM (Enterprise Asset Management system), with touch screen technology and proprietary software for users to report all machinery faults direct to maintenance. The firm says ease of access, via PCs and laptops plus the web, has been key to the system’s success because faults are reported in real time by busy people, and maintenance can respond quickly and intelligently. Stadco plant engineering manager Mike Wellard says EAM provides a structured approach to maintenance. “EAM will allow us to identify potential faults on equipment before they occur, enabling us to allocate available manpower efficiently to plan and undertake maintenance. “This will help to reduce the possibility of faults, and therefore downtime, to ensure maximise production on our stamping and sub-assembly lines. The last thing our customers want to hear is that we are unable to deliver parts because of problems on our lines.” Following a successful trial at each of the company’s sites, and extensive feedback from maintenance staff and management, Stadco has now installed and rolled out the latest version at its site in Shrewsbury, and is to upgrade to the same level at the other sites soon. A German language version will be installed this summer at the recently acquired Saarlouis plant in Southeast Germany.