Maintenance is often the largest controllable operating cost in asset-intensive industries, playing a pivotal role in the overall financial health and operational efficiency of a company. It is not merely a routine task but a critical business function that has a direct and significant impact on various aspects of operations, including plant output, product quality, production cost, safety, and environmental performance. These factors are crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. For these reasons, maintenance is regarded, in best practice organizations, not simply as a cost to be avoided but, together with reliability engineering, as a high leverage business function.
It is considered a valuable business partner contributing to asset capability and continuous improvement in profitability. By investing in advanced maintenance strategies and technologies, companies can enhance their operational resilience, reduce downtime, and extend the lifespan of their assets, ultimately leading to increased profitability and sustainability.