MATERIALS & HANDLING
SUE GRIFFITH, FIELD SUPPORT SUPERVISOR, MARTIN ENGINEERING:
Technology provides real-time status updates remotely, allowing for scheduled changes or adjustments
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SAFETY Experts have ‘seen it all’ until they haven’t, and that’s when their expertise is tested and safety becomes an issue. Outside service contractors may be generally familiar with systems and maintenance procedures but often face a steep learning curve when servicing new equipment designs. The top equipment manufacturers consistently iterate on previous designs, seeking to improve safety and eff iciency. Factory-direct technicians and certifi ed contractors from these reputable equipment manufacturers respond quickly to calls and arrive equipped to diagnose and solve issues, minimising downtime. Most operational site managers
strive to maintain the highest workplace safety standards.
If
external contractors don’t operate to the same level, they risk being ejected from the site. In addition to stringent conveyor and fl ow equipment maintenance training, MSTs undergo comprehensive safety training. With regular visits, factory-direct MSTs quickly learn the latest standards and procedures of each production site,
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staying up to date with the needs of their customers and ensuring compliance and safe working.
SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS Often, during the installation of retrofi tted equipment, some creative engineering is required to make components fi t, secure, and operational. Maintenance crews can’t have a replacement part for every bolt in their operation, especially if storage space is limited. This becomes acutely apparent when specialised parts are needed for repair. Equipment designs should have standard, easy-to- understand parts and procedures. In addition to providing a solution,
this engineering design should prioritise safe inspection and maintenance access. Whether it’s replacing wear-parts or engaging in routine service, getting the proper manufacturer parts in a timely manner is imperative. Factory direct means that wear
parts can be predictively scheduled and delivered by simply monitoring the speed at which they wear, especially for processing plants
Sue has more than 20 years of management experience with a successful record in project planning, sales coordination, and logistical scheduling at varying levels. With a degree in business management and marketing, in 2009 she implemented an ROI policy for trade show effectiveness. She has extensive knowledge of creating service routes for a fl eet of vehicles plus monitoring costs for sales/service completed within the routes. Sue has been the backbone of the company’s dispatch of service teams and logistics for over a decade, helping make it a trusted name in the bulk handling industry.
making use of remote monitoring systems. If the wear timeline is somehow shortened, this can be an indicator of downstream issues causing more wear.
It can also
mean that an unexpected rapid early delivery is required. Factory-direct MSTs and certifi ed contractors usually have the proper equipment in the service truck. If they don’t, depending on the remoteness of the site, the MST simply calls, and these parts can be procured and delivered rapidly.
RESOURCES
[1] Roberts, Alan. Conveyor System Maintenance & Reliability, ACARP Project C3018. Published by Australian Coal Association Research Program Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulates, University of Newcastle, Australia. Nov, 1996. http://www.
acarp.com.au/abstracts.aspx?repId=C3018
[2] Nell, Paul. Conveyor Maintenance – Strategies and Outsourcing. Beltcon, 2019.
https://www.beltcon.org.za/wp-content/ uploads/2024/12/B19-16-Nel-Outsourcing-of-
Maintenance.pdf
For more information visit:
www.martin-eng.com
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