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Transitioning to a New Lube Supplier
Mitch Rorich, Operations Manager, Holcim
If supplier A has for a reasonable period of time, adequately
fulfilled your lube requirement and the change to Supplier B is
based purely on price, go back to Supplier A and ask him to "sharpen
his pencil". If it's price and service related,the need for change
is real. The change over is further influenced by your lube analysis
programme and concise record keeping, which is assumed.This will
clearly determine the following:
- Impending lube changes. (The ideal time to "drop-flush and
change)
- Volume usage of all lubricant types.
- Top up frequencies,both oils and greases.(For determining "Transition
stock".)
THE RISK OF INCOMPATABILITY BETWEEN SUPPLIERS PRODUCTS SHOULD
NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. Therefore:
1. The management of the change over should be delegated to a
responsible manager, with a sound knowledge of the plant equipment
and a sound knowledge of lubrication principles,be methodical
by nature and work closely with the new supplier representative.
2. Clear procedures must be established and a change over plan
implemented.
3. The entire maintenance staff should be thoroughly briefed
on the need to change, the procedure and programme and steps to
be followed in the event of uncertainty.
4. Accurate record keeping of all changes is essential.
The Supplier B product arriving in your stores must be kept separate
and NOT be introduced until advised to do so by the responsible
manager. A "transition stock" of supplier A product must be kept
available and then phased out as these products are progressively
replaced. Some excess stock is likely to remain but this can generally
be sold off or returned to the respective supplier, (depending
on his demeanor!)
- Critical plant should be handled on a "drop, flush and replace"
basis.
- Less important equipment may be handled on the change over
programme.
- Impending lube changes as previously indicated.
A clear and prominent label (generally supplied FOC by the new
supplier) should be affixed to each unit that has been converted
to the new lubricant. Accurate record keeping is paramount! Once
the entire changeover has been successfully completed,the new
supplier owes all involved, a well earned cold beer or two!
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