Preventing unplanned downtime with TotalSource parts

The cost of downtime

Kobe Naert (Chief Product & Procurement Officer at TVH) understands small businesses all too well: “When you run a small company with just a handful of employees, preventive maintenance might not be at the top of your to-do list. You have jobs to do and customers to take care of. But when your equipment breaks, that’s when the trouble starts.

“If a machine is pushed to its limits, the cost of a breakdown is usually considerably higher than when it is regularly maintained. The financial loss includes more than just new parts and idle operators; unexpected downtime also dents your reputation through late deliveries.”

Simple steps to build your maintenance plan

“The first step is to identify what kind of maintenance your equipment needs. Start with the manufacturer’s instructions, then look for parts that wear out frequently. You can easily create your own checklist for simple tasks like topping up fluids, checking tyres and replacing windscreen wipers,” Kobe continues. “Another important step is to keep a minimum number of critical components in stock at all times. Parts like filters, seals, and oil usually don’t take up much space and can be lifesavers.”