Hunt Valley, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/20/2016 -- Some estimates have shown the average cost of downtime to be at nearly $8000/minute! This phenomenal number is why unplanned downtime in manufacturing is truly a budget-killer like no other. Were such a catastrophe to befall a company, frustration would hardly be a word to describe it. Witnessing production come to a halt and orders go unfulfilled might mean jobs are on the line, customers are becoming restless, and – depending on the severity – the company itself even facing tremendous turmoil in terms of its future. At the end of the day though, the most important thing to do is not to point fingers, complain, or throw up hands in surrender – but to solve the problem and do everything humanly possible to ensure it never happens again.

Having made over 26,000 successful repairs since 1999, ACS Industrial Services, Inc. knows a thing or two about preventing downtime and helping companies get up and running again. They have found that – in order to reduce downtime as much as possible by identifying and then preventing machines from failing – it is necessary to look in all directions including, possibly, oneself. Why? Industrial catastrophes are rarely caused by a single person or event. According to the NTSB, typically between 12-14 events have to coincide before a failure actually occurs. Thus, looking at as many details as possible and how they fit into the bigger process of production is key.

While there are general factors to consider as a starting point (such as those related to Physical Damage [Corrosion, Fatigue, Overload, Wear, Environmental – water, heat, humidity, lightning, electrical imbalances, etc.] and those pertaining to Human Error [Inadequate Maintenance/Maintenance Errors, Operational Errors, Design Errors, Installation Errors, Failed or non-existent cyber security, Untrained/under-trained personnel]), here's a more systematic and practical approach to take:

1. Track downtime – This is absolutely essential. If you don't even know what the problems are in the first place, how are you going to fix them? There are plenty of helpful off-the-shelf programs and automatic trackers (or experts if you want outside help) to zero in on the problems and alert you in real time as the problems happen. Record these and then periodically analyze the data so you know exactly where to focus your efforts.

2. Invest in proper training – Human error should not be underestimated. From poor machine design and installation to an operator's errors all the way to just plain ignoring the warning signals of impending machine failure, proper training goes a long way in dealing with these issues and costs far less in the long run than damage, downtime, and unexpected repairs.

3. Set up regular maintenance – CMMS (computerized maintenance management systems) is a tool that sites such as ReliablePlant.com and PlantServices.com have resources for further explaining.

4. Practice preventive maintenance & repair equipment – Not replacing worn parts, misalignments, bad connections, improper storage, corrosion, bad bearings, machine overload, and lubrication issues are just some frequent causes of production disruption and potentially expensive repairs or worse, replacements. Keep your employees in the loop on this effort, make your priorities clear to all, and encourage them to find ways to keep things running or even increase productivity. Don't forget to have a go-to industrial electronic repair center that meets your needs. Searching around at the last minute is going to result in further downtime so set up a relationship with one today!

5. Protect Your Assets (Facility, Equipment, People) – Invest in the best you can afford whether its cyber security, safety equipment and training, humidity and temperature controls, power backup systems, or primary power conditioning for electrical load balancing. It all matters and is part of the success equation to eliminate costly, unplanned downtime.

"We've seen too many businesses time and again suffer tremendously from not being prepared when it comes to downtime," shared ACS Owner Arnie Breidenbaugh. "There are so many factors to consider and it can be a huge undertaking but after nearly 20 years in business, we've amassed a lot of knowledge on this subject and want to pass it on to others in hopes they won't make the same mistakes we've witnessed time and time again. Investing now can save untold amounts of money and – more importantly – even a company itself as well as its employees and customers."

For fast, affordable, and reliable electronic repair service, go with the leaders who get it done. Visit acsindustrial.com and get a free evaluation of repair today. Be sure to contact ACS with any questions!

About ACS Industrial Services, Inc.
ACS Industrial Services, Inc. has been providing fast and reliable electronic repair services for virtually all types of commercial and industrial equipment since 1999—well over 26,000 repairs completed! Like their Facebook page today to keep up with what's new.

www.acsindustrial.com
800-605-6419