According to Mark Baller, managing director of Weba Chute Systems, there should be more attention paid to the importance of aftermarket services in the manufacturing industry, as well as the changing needs of customers. In today’s modern industry, plant efficiency and uptime are critical. As equipment ages and wears, it can disrupt operations, making effective aftermarket services by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) essential for maintaining equipment reliability and output.
Weba Chute Systems, a global leader in the design and supply of transfer chutes, considers their aftermarket services as another opportunity to enhance their customers’ return on investment and reinforce their business model’s sustainability. The company has always provided technical feedback and reports on the operation and condition of their chutes. They also gather data on each chute to predict when maintenance is necessary. To meet changing customer requirements, they have leveraged technology to make reports more valuable and accessible. Their in-house app captures data in real-time and generates reports that are useful for customers’ decision-making. They have also invested in more human resources, with additional service technicians available to meet customer needs.
Customers are becoming more aware of the performance of each equipment item and its impact on plant operations. They are looking for more feedback on operational indicators and monitoring equipment condition to plan maintenance in advance. Predictive maintenance has become more popular among customers, as it is less disruptive and costly than unplanned downtime. Weba Chute Systems is adapting to this trend by investing in technology, such as sensors and probes collecting data from remote locations to centralized databases. The company is already using a special probe to measure the thickness of chute liners accurately. Over time, they can integrate this data with mine throughput to forecast wear rates, leading to better predictability and less unplanned downtime.
Baller emphasised that sound relationships are also vital for OEMs. The trust built on aftermarket support creates a sustainable business model that benefits both the OEMs and their customers. Only by maintaining longevity can OEMs gather the necessary momentum to keep improving technology and efficiencies for customers.
