From Volume 3 Issue 3 of Connected.
Downtime is the enemy of industrial automation. Every minute of halted production can result in significant financial losses, making asset management a critical component of operational success.
In partnership with Rockwell Automation, Kirby Risk can take asset management to new heights. By offering a suite of tailored services, including dedicated support, innovative repair processes and cutting-edge inventory management, we not just manage assets but transform them into a competitive advantage.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ASSET MANAGEMENT
At the core of Kirby Risk's asset management services is a commitment to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. This begins with the assignment of a dedicated Kirby Risk resource, who acts as a single point of contact for all of a customer's repair needs. This approach ensures that each customer receives personalized attention and has their unique needs fully understood and addressed. The result is a streamlined process that significantly reduces the complexity and downtime typically associated with repairs.
Central to this service is the “repair tag” process that allows Kirby Risk to meticulously track repair progress and costs. The implementation of this system provides customers with transparency and the information needed to make informed decisions about their maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) strategies. This level of detail is crucial in helping customers drive down MRO costs.
Uptime can also be improved through warranty tracking. By closely monitoring warranty statuses and providing enhanced options, Kirby Risk ensures that customers can take full advantage of the warranties available to them, further reducing costs and safeguarding equipment so it remains operational for longer periods of time.
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
Several years ago, we lost the business of a customer in the food processing industry to a competitor.
“We realized we had a service that would add value to their production,” says Cameron Benning, Kirby Risk Channel Asset Management Professional. “We decided to approach them again last year with a proposal to reduce their repair costs.”
The customer provided a list of items recently repaired by a competitor, challenging Kirby Risk to match or beat the pricing. Not only did we meet this challenge, but we were also able to add competitive pricing with the superior remanufacturing quality offered by Rockwell Automation.
“This combination of high-quality service and cost-effectiveness won back the customer,” Benning adds. “They have since become one of Kirby Risk's top customers.”
The key to this success lies not just in the services provided, but in the way Kirby Risk approaches each customer, Benning explains.
“The reason customers choose Kirby is our name—a name that represents decades of service, a commitment to quality and satisfaction, as well as a dedicated team that works hard to present our customers with the most cost-effective, time-sensitive solution to their critical and non-critical needs,” he says.
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION PARTNERSHIP: THE POWER BEHIND THE SERVICE
Kirby Risk's partnership with Rockwell Automation allows us to offer an array of services that are unmatched in the industry, including the Repair+ Service Agreement and the Inventory+ Service Agreement.
The Repair+ Service Agreement simplifies the repair process with a single, easy-to-manage contract. This agreement provides customers with a predefined budget for repairs, allowing them to proactively plan and manage their MRO costs. With access to Rockwell Automation's 14 global remanufacturing and repair facilities, customers benefit from a consistent and reliable service experience, no matter where their operations are located.
The Inventory+ Service Agreement takes this a step further by eliminating the need for large capital investments in spare parts. Rockwell Automation owns and manages the spare parts inventory on-site, ensuring that customers always have access to the critical parts they need without the burden of ownership. This agreement includes all the benefits of the Repair+ Service Agreement, making it a comprehensive solution for managing both repairs and inventory.
For customers seeking even greater support, Kirby Risk offers on-site asset management services. A dedicated asset management professional works closely with the customer's maintenance and production teams to optimize the repair and inventory processes. This includes managing critical spare parts, reducing repair turnaround times and providing detailed asset and reliability reports. The program has documented millions in combined annual cost savings for customers, showcasing the tangible impact of Kirby Risk and Rockwell Automation's services.