Amir Wagenstein, Group Supply Chain & Logistics VP at Rubix, explores how the digitalisation of the MRO landscape is supporting manufacturers to elevate their competitiveness in a fast-shifting global landscape.
The manufacturing sector has evolved to be more competitive than ever before. Global forces, from shifting customer demand through to volatile and fluctuating trading conditions, are placing greater pressure on manufacturers to drive efficiencies through their operations in order to remain competitive.
Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services are central to these efforts, with the digitalisation of this landscape supporting manufacturers to streamline their operations and processes, reduce costs and even realise greater levels of uptime and productivity.
For manufacturers responding to shifting market forces, the challenge lies in their ability to evolve. The right MRO partners can underpin these efforts, optimally positioning manufacturers to realise the power of data, automate inventory management and streamline procurement.
Digitalisation in MRO: driving modern manufacturing
MRO products and services have always been central to the manufacturing industry, helping to keep the wheels of industry moving safely, reliably and efficiently. However, as global supply chains become subject to greater levels of complexity and volatility, manufacturers must adopt new ways of managing the MRO pipeline.
While manual processing and reactive maintenance remain common across the industry, many manufacturers are now embracing digitalisation to become more responsive – to customers, to market demands and to global trading conditions.
With the correct digital processes, platforms and procedures in place, it is possible to simplify the supply chain, maintain greater control over critical supply channels, and maximise insights through real-time data capture. This allows manufacturers to be more responsive, more agile and more competitive through reliable operations and closely managed costs.
As Europe’s leading supplier of MRO products and services, Rubix is driving this change from within and supporting leading manufacturers across the UK and Europe to drive meaningful change that has a transformational effect on their operations.
Eyes on the future with predictive analytics
Traditionally, MRO practices have been built around reacting to situations as they unfold, effectively fixing problems as they occur. However, in a world where uptime is a key success factor, manufacturers must use technology to their advantage to keep systems running optimally. Afterall, managing the risk of unplanned downtime leads to greater levels of efficiency and cost reduction.
Digital-based solutions, such as condition monitoring services from Rubix, can be tailored to the specific requirements of individual manufacturing environments. Focussed on critical equipment, real-time monitoring and analytics can deliver insights into the health of machinery, allowing manufacturers to respond to changes in performance before they escalate into serious challenges and even downtime.
Allowing maintenance to be informed by data strengthens manufacturers’ positions by reducing the risk of unplanned downtime. Data-led maintenance can also be integrated with inventory management systems to ensure critical components are always on hand.
Optimising inventory through automation
Having the right components on hand whenever they’re required doesn’t have to mean inefficient stock levels are maintained, taking up valuable warehouse space and tying up capital. Rather, it’s about leaning into the data and using digital insights to inform logical strategies.
Digital solutions, such as vending systems and stock control tools, can help manufacturers to respond quickly to production challenges by maintaining availability of the most important components.
InvendTM – a solution pioneered by Rubix – is one example of this technology, ensuring critical parts are available 24/7 through on-site vending machines. Stock levels are informed by data which highlights the most in-demand components for a specific facility, and vending machines are even tailored to meet the specific requirements of manufacturers – from product variation through to available space.
For more bespoke requirements, Rubix’s Kiosk offers a streamlined approach to inventory management. Operated via a touchscreen terminal located on site, teams can quickly and easily access the products they require, while consumption data is captured to inform future decision making.
Streamlining the supply chain
Maintaining a reliable supply of essential components requires careful management of the supply chain and relationships. While having multiple suppliers may traditionally have been the way to ensure availability of products, manufacturers operating in today’s hyper-competitive world need even greater security – and more streamlined methods of managing procurement.
E-procurement combines digital insights and capabilities with the human touch to maximise efficiency along the supply chain.
The e-procurement platform available to Rubix customers makes it possible to purchase essential products precisely when they are needed, and even consolidate sources of supply through compatibility with major marketplaces. This makes it possible for manufacturers to rely on agreed price structures for their essential products, and access a broad assortment of solutions when they are required.
Adopting a digital approach to MRO operations
While the benefits of adopting a digital approach to MRO processes has clear benefits for manufacturers, driving greater efficiency, underpinning reliability and even supporting cost reduction strategies, there are barriers which need to be overcome.
Particularly for manufacturers who are new to the world of digitalisation, having a reliable partner to support the transition is crucial. With experience of supporting manufacturers to achieve the same benefits, supply partners like Rubix can support a smooth transition from legacy systems to digital-first strategies.
With greater control over inventory, less capital tied up in under-utilised stock and a greater understanding of business needs, manufacturers that adopt a digital approach to supply chains can unlock greater levels of agility and resilience – essential characteristics in a landscape that is more competitive than ever.
At Rubix, we are committed to supporting manufacturers to unlock their full potential by strengthening supply chains and improving accessibility of the MRO components they need most.
To find out more about how Rubix can support your digital transformation, visit: www.rubix.com
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