Plant facility managemers, across multiple sectors, are seeking ways to optimise assets, ensure reliability and boost sustainability efforts for 2025. Instead of being tied to new technology, these objectives can be unlocked through ongoing services throughout the lifecycle of any facility, no matter how complex.
Maintenance within complex facilities represents a significant percentage of operational costs. While this will vary between manufacturing and process applications, drawing on external service support can reduce strain from already busy operators. A service partner can also save costs and improve uptime by applying expert knowledge of systems that in-house teams may not have. For example, Schneider Electric’s EcoCare enables businesses to overcome the skills gap by bringing in expert engineers who can redefine maintenance strategies as new technology is added and systems become increasingly complex.
Predicted and prevented maintenance
The core of a good service package is a preventative approach. Predictive and preventive maintenance have been important topics for 2024, but with increasing pressure and complexity, 2025 will see maintenance of equipment and systems that require more than troubleshooting. Plant facilities do not have the luxury of waiting for equipment failure before reacting. However, they may not have staff dedicated to continually monitoring and addressing potential risks before they escalate, on top of the already heavy workload. It’s now possible to call on external service support for 24/7 monitoring and alarming, and support from dedicated remote experts with advanced algorithms and predictive analytics. This delivers peace-of-mind and empowers teams to explore the capabilities of digital transformation. By skipping the drama of complex maintenance, plant management or facilities management teams can future-proof operations. No matter what needs arise, how the business is scaling, or how new technology is deployed, teams will have dedicated support from a trusted source.
It can be difficult to define ‘maintenance challenges’ as an overall topic, as every facility has unique needs and must be approached accordingly. For example, the world’s most technologically advanced stadium will have vastly different needs to a warehouse. But services create a pathway to optimise these settings and any others:
ManufacturingFacilities and maintenance managers are not only working to ensure continuous production but also to create a safe working environment. For people working closely with assets, services act as an additional safety net for equipment both new and legacy, ensuring that no matter how long equipment has been in operation it can meet safety standards.
In specialised manufacturing facilities like food & beverage or pharmaceuticals, any equipment fault can potentially impact compliance standards and alter validated processes. In these cases, it becomes even more crucial to implement a next-generation service plan that pre-empts failure to protect product quality.
Energy / utilitiesPower generation and water treatment companies face the potential for costly fines in the case of service interruptions. They face the added challenges of widely distributed assets in the field, and a growing skills gap. Infrastructure must remain in operation for a long time and serve growing demand. Services can minimise disruption on that journey while driving towards environmental targets.
Warehousing / logisticsA sector that has consistently been at the forefront of advanced technology deployment, warehouses combine new robotics and legacy assets, while adapting to fluctuating demands. Operational managers can draw on service support such as Schneider Electrics’ EcoCare to adapt to an increasingly complex supply chain, for example through emergency support and a digital experience.
Serviced sustainability
Sustainability is a common factor shared by all businesses, with 2025 being an important milestone on the way to 2050.
Minimising downtime and maximising operational efficiency in any facility will contribute to cutting carbon footprint. Continuous monitoring of energy usage can identify inefficiencies and unlock opportunities for sustainability improvements. Keeping assets in peak condition will extend the lifespan and reduce the carbon impact of machines. Furthermore, automated energy reporting will make regulatory compliance and reporting more straightforward.
Modernisation and upgrade services are also valuable for operators to extend and futureproof the life of existing assets, while remanufacturing services (as opposed to repair) will return failed or damaged equipment to nearly-new state and original performance.
As industrial facilities face a collective drive to Net Zero 2050, Schneider Electric’s EcoCare supports sustainability objectives. Whether being driven by new regulations or customer buying habits, plant facilities managers can leverage the expertise of the World’s Most Sustainable company (as named by Time magazine and Statista) to reduce their carbon footprint and build operational resilience.
Learn more about how EcoCare represents best-in-class digital service for plant facilities with tailored approaches to fit the needs of any application while bringing the entirety of Schneider Electric’s expertise in house. Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/3csk3xtc