Spare-parts logistics of the user of spare parts

More than just replacement of parts

To avoid downtime costs as much as possible, companies rely on successful maintenance programs. The requirements for this strategy are smooth-running procurement programs and warehousing as well as optimal use of spare parts. These tasks are summed up by spare-parts logistics of the customer or user. Two particularly important factors in this process are the uncertain need for spare parts and the complications of minimum-cost procurement and warehousing that arise from this need.

Special features of procurement logistics

In many areas, procurement of spare parts coincides with the overall job of procurement logistics in a company. Still, specific characteristics exist, and they will be addressed in greater detail here.

Downtime costs

For users of spare parts, fast and reliable maintenance and repair of broken-down production equipment are particularly critical concerns - especially as the complexity and networking of production plants are increasing and potential downtime costs are rising as well. To perform an urgent maintenance job, sufficient maintenance capacity must be available. This is usually performed internally within a company or done by a service provider or directly by the supplier of spare parts. Reliable and fast provision of spare parts by the supplier is also necessary. The task of spare-parts logistics primarily involves procurement of spare parts, warehousing and scheduling of maintenance work [1].

Spare-parts procurement

Several functional areas of a company play a role in the procurement of spare parts for industrial customers: in addition to maintenance, such areas as asset management, logistics and controlling. The aim of the joint activities is needs-based provision of spare parts at minimum costs for spare-parts logistics. The requirements for efficiency of spare-parts logistics at the customer are affected by the design of procurement marketing [1].

Warehousing

In terms of warehousing, two of the most important questions are which spare parts and what number of them should be stored. The answer should be linked to a cost-benefit analysis - e.g., in regards to warehousing costs, the replaceability of spare parts on the market and the downtime costs of the affected plant. To determine the number of spare parts to be warehoused, the need for spare parts must be ascertained or planned. Causal-analytical methods for needs planning are suited for this purpose. From these studies, the need for spare parts can be deduced on its own from the predicted impact of the parameters on the spare-parts need [1].

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