How to Make Maintenance a Top Priority in the New Year
The New Year brings big plans, bigger goals, and a calendar that somehow always feels too short. But if maintenance doesn’t make the top of your list, everything else starts to fall apart — literally. Missed inspections, delayed repairs, or overlooked wear and tear can turn into costly breakdowns and downtime. In 2025, make maintenance the priority it deserves to be and keep everything running reliably in the months ahead.
Start with a proactive maintenance calendar
A plan without a schedule is just wishful thinking. Locking in a maintenance calendar sets the tone for the entire year.
- Map out equipment inspections: Schedule regular inspections based on manufacturer guidelines, equipment age, and operational demands. Spread them out to avoid overwhelming any single month.
- Bundle repairs where possible: Consolidating multiple repairs saves time, minimizes downtime, and stretches your budget. Through GES’ Stack & Save Special, you’ll get 15% OFF any 3 or more repairs of Industrial Electronics, Servo Motors, AC & DC Motors, Hydraulics & Pneumatics!
- Plan for seasonal needs: Winter weather is here; summer’s heat will be next. Schedule maintenance now to address changing conditions before they become problems.
- Leave room for contingencies: A tight calendar looks great on paper, but unexpected breakdowns will happen. Build in buffer periods to address unplanned needs.
Track small issues before they snowball
Ignoring small problems just makes them bigger. Today’s symptoms are tomorrow’s breakdowns waiting to happen.
- Encourage early reporting: Operators and technicians know their equipment best. Make it easy for them to flag small concerns without red tape.
- Use performance data to spot trends: If output drops or energy use spikes, something is off. Routine data analysis helps pinpoint issues before they escalate.
- Act immediately on wear indicators: Bearings, seals, belts, and filters all show warning signs well before failure. Stay reliable with proactive replacements.
- Use CMMS software: A computerized maintenance management system centralizes schedules and repair histories. It’s also great for issue tracking.
- Rely on sensors and monitoring tools: Real-time data from IIoT sensors alerts you to changes in equipment performance before problems hit the floor.
Tie maintenance to real outcomes
When maintenance becomes measurable, it becomes non-negotiable — and so do the results.
- Connect maintenance to productivity: Show how consistent maintenance reduces unplanned downtime and extends equipment life.
- Calculate savings from preventative care: Compare the cost of planned maintenance to the price of reactive repairs, lost production, and emergency service fees.
- Measure and share results: Track metrics like downtime reductions, savings on repairs, and improvements in system performance. Maintenance results speak for themselves.
Make it part of your culture
Once maintenance stops feeling like a chore, it becomes second nature. Everyone takes ownership.
- Set clear expectations for everyone: Operators should monitor equipment performance, and technicians should address issues quickly. Leaders should provide support and resources.
- Recognize proactive efforts: Highlight teams or individuals who spot problems early or contribute to maintenance success. Small wins build momentum.
- Prioritize training: A skilled team works faster and catches problems others might miss. Invest in upskilling on modern tools, diagnostics, and repair techniques.
Invest in maintenance now, reap the rewards all year
A new year should mean anything but the status quo. It’s time to do things better. When you put maintenance first — planned, tracked, and executed with intention — everything runs stronger and smarter. The best time to fix a problem is before it starts. And the best time to start is now.
