You would like to take proactive care of your tightening tools, but you are unsure which service provider and maintenance product will best suit your needs? Understanding key factors - such as expertise, innovation, and cost efficiency - allows for an informed decision that keeps production running smoothly. So, let’s discuss the key criteria to discover the best approach for you.
Choosing the right service provider for effective preventive maintenance
Before exploring maintenance options, it is important to identify the right service provider. Consider the following factors:
- Location availability: Choose a service provider close to your production. Short distances for travel and logistics will have a positive impact on cost efficiency and help reduce the carbon footprint. For global manufacturers, ensure your service provider also operates worldwide to receive a consistent service standard for your tools.
- Experience & Expertise: While focusing on your core competencies, choose a specialized service provider with proven experience in industrial tightening techniques. Ensure they follow industry standards and guidelines. Depending on your installed tool base, consider a multi-brand service partner.
- Innovation driven: The classic, reactive approach to maintenance is no longer efficient. Consider the hidden optimization potential in your production. Modern tightening techniques combined with a proactive, data-driven service approach can create new synergies, leading to more efficient and sustainable production. Ensure your service provider shares your vision and supports your targets.
- Environmental impact in focus: Reducing the environmental footprint of production is now a shared priority across industries. When equipping and maintaining your tools, consider solutions that minimize waste, energy use, and unnecessary travel. Assess your CO₂ emissions and work with your service provider to identify practical measures - such as optimized logistics, longer tool lifecycles, or energy‑efficient processes - that support your company’s environmental targets.
"Preventive maintenance has 48.5 % lower unplanned downtime and 63.2 % lower defects" (compared with reactive maintenance).
Find the right maintenance concept for your needs
After choosing the right service provider for your industrial tightening technique, take a look at the maintenance offer. Usually, different maintenance products and levels are available. Use the following checklist to find the right service level agreement for you:
- Size of Production: Whether you have a small setup with limited tools or multiple production lines with a large tool base, determine if a basic maintenance product is sufficient or if a more advanced concept approach is required. Basic maintenance products often stick to a fixed scope of supply and do not provide enough flexibility to individual needs.
- Tool usage: Consider how often the tightening tools are used and their workload within the intended torque range. Follow the manufacturer's specifications. In some cases, frequent maintenance may be needed not only to prevent tool failure and production downtime but also to maintain the warranty of the tools. Some manufacturers use tool data to create usage-based maintenance plans, leading to higher efficiency in maintenance.
- Product quality: In some industries, manufacturers must follow specific norms and guidelines to ensure product quality. Regular tool maintenance and calibration are essential for maintaining accuracy, especially when products pose safety risks to human life and the environment (Product Liability Act). Ensure that tool maintenance complies with the required industry standards.
- Cost efficiency: Consider your budget for tool investment and maintenance. When taking the total cost of ownership (TCO) into account, advanced maintenance products are not necessarily more expensive than basic ones. This may include repairs and spare parts needed, as well as production stoppage costs. Reaction times might be crucial. Identify all factors affecting TCO and calculate the return on investment before deciding.
- Optimization potential: Maintenance and production data can reveal hidden optimization potential. The extent of monitoring and implementation support depends on the service provider. Some offer comprehensive support with reporting on key performance indicators (KPI) and advanced data analysis, while others focus only on the tool maintenance itself.
- Environmental benefits: Preventive maintenance can play a key role in improving your company’s environmental performance. By shifting from reactive repairs to a proactive strategy, you can extend tool lifespan and reduce unnecessary energy use, material waste, downtime, and rework. Assess the environmental impact of maintenance products and discuss with your service provider which initiatives can be integrated into your maintenance contract.
💡Tips: Calculate your environmental impact with Atlas Copco CO2 Calculator and see how much preventive maintenance can help you reduce your emissions!
Conclusion
Effective preventive maintenance starts with selecting the right service provider and implementing a tailored strategy. By evaluating factors such as expertise, innovation, cost efficiency, and environmental impact, manufacturers can boost productivity, lower operational risks, and reduce long‑term costs. A proactive maintenance approach not only ensures tool reliability but also contributes to lower emissions and more efficient production processes. Making informed choices in this area is essential to staying competitive in modern manufacturing.
Learn more about our maintenance concept ToolCover or contact us for an individual request.
