Trends and perspectives in industrial maintenance management

With increased global competition for manufacturing, many companies are seeking ways to gain competitive advantages with respect to cost, service, quality, and on-time deliveries. The role that effective maintenance management plays in contributing to overall organizational productivity has received increased attention. This paper presents an overview of trends and perspectives in industrial maintenance. The results of benchmarking studies from Scandinavia and the United States are presented and compared. Implications of the trends and perspectives for the management of maintenance are highlighted. Case studies that examine maintenance methods, knowledge, organization, and information systems in three Danish manufacturing firms are used to motivate the discussion.