Hi Andrea, tell us a bit about your role of Spare Parts Manager at OCEM
I’ve been with OCEM for 15 years now, overseeing the spare parts department. My main responsibility is ensuring that our customers, spread across all continents, have quick access to the necessary components for their machines.
What’s your journey with the company?
It’s an exciting journey. The main challenge is to manage spare parts for over 3000 OCEM customers daily, following the diversity of our customers and their unique needs. On the bright side, seeing our machines contribute to the success of businesses globally is incredibly rewarding.
How do you ensure efficient and timely delivery of spare parts to such a vast customer base?
Considering that we produce a wide range of machinery, such as: Hermetic Presses, Calibrating & Polishing Machines, VAP (Value Added Products) finishing lines, Horizontal Automatic Tiles and Slabs Handling System, Brushing Machines but also Coating and Advanced Palletizing Lines for Tiles and Pavers, I can say that organization is the key.
We have a well-established system for inventory management and we work closely with reliable logistics partners. Additionally, our team is always ready to assist customers in identifying their specific needs and ensuring they get the right parts on time.
Technology has played a significant role in streamlining our processes. We’ve implemented a sophisticated ERP system that allows to monitor the status of their orders in real-time. This has greatly improved communication and transparency.
Technology has been a game-changer for us. We’ve implemented advanced inventory management systems that enable real-time tracking of spare parts, reducing lead times and ensuring we have the right parts in stock.
… we produce a wide range of machinery, such as: hermetic presses, Calibrating & Polishing Machines, VAP (Value Added Products) finishing lines, Horizontal Automatic Tiles and Slabs Handling System, Brushing Machines but also Coating and Advanced Palletizing Lines for Tiles and Pavers, I can say that organization is the key…
Looking ahead, what trends or developments do you anticipate in the spare parts management field for industrial machinery, especially in the context of OCEM’s products?
I foresee further integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics in spare parts management. Predictive maintenance, based on data-driven insights, will become increasingly important to minimize downtime for our customers.
In this regard, our new software OPLÀ is an exciting development for us at OCEM. Predictive maintenance and data analysis form the foundation of this new software. It’s designed to provide our customers with a proactive approach to maintenance, identifying potential issues before they escalate. By analyzing data from the machines, we can predict when certain components may need replacement or maintenance, ultimately minimizing downtime and optimizing machine performance.
Could you share a case where you helped a client in a challenging situation?
I would like to tell you about the request for spare parts for extraordinary maintenance of an OCEM press, Model OPA 850 from 1963. Today, after 61 years of activity, still running and producing wonderful cement tiles!!! At OCEM we have the drawings and technical characteristics of every single machine produced and we can guarantee the full efficiency of our machines over the decades.
Despite this, the customer is located in a remote region with limited access to transportation and infrastructure. To address this challenge, we quickly mobilized our logistics team and worked closely with local partners to expedite the delivery of the required spare parts. Despite the logistical complexities, we managed to ensure the timely arrival of the components, minimizing the client’s downtime and allowing them to resume production swiftly.
Additionally, our technical support team provided remote assistance to guide the client through the replacement process, ensuring that the machinery was back in operation efficiently. The successful resolution of this challenging situation reinforced our commitment to supporting customers, regardless of their location or the difficulties they may face, and highlighted the effectiveness of our global support network.