Abstract:
Introduces the various systems and organisational forms of plant maintenance, discusses various facets of each, and evaluates these areas using a detailed investigative study of six manufacturing firms as basis. Without production, no maintenance would be necessary and without maintenance, no production would ultimately be possible. If the objective of the production manager is to maximise output, then the maintenance manager should strive to optimise his/her particular function. Conclusions point to the fact that it is possible, with careful selection of a suitable policy, to achieve a near optimum balance between corrective and preventive maintenance. Results, however, emphasise that in the majority of industrial concerns, preventive maintenance should play a dominant role, especially in high production or continuous process plants, where breakdowns could have serious consequences. Maintenance managers and foreman will find this thesis useful as a guideline when comparing their situation to those of the firms investigated, evaluating their own present maintenance system and Organisation, and selecting a new and improved plan of operation for their department.
