Keeping equipment running in the field has always required a sensible service parts organization. A century ago, automobiles would frequently be laid up for weeks waiting for replacement parts—sometimes for something as common as tires. Today, consumers expect rapid access to maintenance and repair components, and supply chains have evolved to reflect this. Pricing of those replacement parts, however, is another matter. Cost of manufacture is only one component of MRO parts pricing, and the result for consumers is eye-watering cost for relatively simple replacement parts. Jim Anderton describes one example: a simple gas cap. 

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