Reliability Maintenance

In this Maintenance Monday episode of the Reliability Maintenance series, guest hosts Edward Langley and Laura Mitchell step in while James Couch is on-site with a customer. Together they break down what a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) really is, how it powers a preventive maintenance program, and why it becomes the "master tool in your toolbox" when it's managed correctly.

They walk through the core functions of a CMMS—from asset registry and automated PM scheduling to work-order execution, condition-based triggers, and reliability analytics. The conversation then turns practical with an implementation and upkeep checklist, plus common risks like "garbage in, garbage out," over-automation, and complex integrations, and how to mitigate them.

Designed for technicians, planners/schedulers, and plant leadership, this short, focused episode connects strategy to the shop floor and closes with a preview of James's upcoming episode on center lining equipment.

In this Maintenance Monday Episode 6, James Couch and Laura Mitchell dive into the world of micro stops on food and CPG production lines. They explain what micro stops are, how they should be defined and measured, and why operators and even supervisors often overlook them despite their huge cumulative impact on throughput and cost. James and Laura share real-world perspectives on how frequent short interruptions drive maintenance teams crazy, mask deeper reliability issues, and quietly erode OEE.

The episode explores practical ways to monitor and reduce micro stops using data from line controls, downtime tracking systems, and operator feedback, and how to engage both operations and maintenance in problem-solving. In closing, James and Laura connect micro-stop reduction to preventive maintenance strategy and PM asset tracking, setting the stage for the next episode, where they take a deeper look at how the CMMS can be used to sustain improvements and further reduce downtime.