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Outage kitting has been around forever. In fact, it probably started with the railroad industry a hundred or more years ago. What is it? It is simply planning, collecting and organizing all the parts needed to do a particular maintenance job during an outage.

If we are talking relatively small parts, they can all be put together on a "crash cart" (a four-wheeled cart with a top tray at table height and a lower bottom tray. Here is an example. In addition to the parts needed, I would also include any special tools and paper copies of any instruction sheets needed for disassembly/assembly. These can be made up days in advance, clearly marked with the work order number and ready to go.

In fact, I would not stop at preparing these only for scheduled outages; I would have them prepared for any jobs that are on my emergency shutdown list and for all routine jobs. The amount of time that can be saved walking back and forth to the shop or to stores can be considerable. Recall the last outage you watched, or make a note to watch your next outage. How many people are walking around and how many are turning wrenches? If you ever reach 50% turning wrenches at any time, your maintenance work is well managed.

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Save the date! The Pulp and Paper Industry Reliability and Maintenance conference, sponsored by IDCON and Andritz, will be held March 19-22, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Outage kitting can help improve your productivity. It can also contribute to work being done correctly the first time if you are careful in copying all the instructions and specifications for a particular job and putting them on the cart.

I would have a standard bin of bolts, gaskets and so forth on the cart--ones that are likely to be needed.

Junior maintenance people can be assigned to assemble the carts--in fact it is a good way for them to learn. There should be a feedback form on the cart that the maintenance personnel fill out after the job is completed so that those responsible for doing the kitting can learn and do better next time.

Going even another step further, I would have the cell phone numbers of maintenance supervisors and operating personnel germane to the project on the cart, too.

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How many carts will you have? As many as it takes--maybe fifty, maybe one hundred, maybe even more. In fact, if you take this idea to the extreme, you'll start a cart when you receive a spare in stores. Say it is the rotating element of a pump. It never goes on a shelf; it goes on the cart and everything else needed for the job is added to the cart. Saves double handling.

Of course, if you have not been doing this, it is likely we are talking about reconfiguring your storeroom. It is worth it to do this. Become fanatical about kitting and you'll likely save 1% of overall machine downtime. This will build you a new storeroom!

For safety this week, if you want to learn the principles of crash carts, take a look inside an ambulance. An ambulance is a crash cart with a bed. Everything is well-stocked and placed exactly where it is needed in order to respond quickly when a life is at stake.

Be safe and we will talk next week.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

A family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company in Illinois is looking for an experienced Maintenance Technician to maintain production and quality by ensuring operation of machinery and mechanical equipment. Relocation and other perks are available to the right candidate who is committed to working third shift. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

Are you an experienced Maintenance Mechanic and would like to work for a family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company that invests in the best equipment and technology? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

A leading company in the corrugated solutions packaging business is looking for a experienced Electrician. The right candidate will possess the following skills: electrical; hydraulic; automatic drives (basic component machines 122 to 440 bolts). If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* An expanding company is looking for a Corporate Industrial Electro-Mechanical Engineer near Allentown, PA. Relocation is available. Do you have a storied list of unique electrical and mechanical engineering skills you're ready to take to the next level? Do you envision yourself in a corporate-level leadership role that your experience finally merits? And do you relish any opportunity to troubleshoot and solve real-time problems, all while designing and installing new services and systems that will not only ensure safety, but also turn a potentially hazardous work environment into a continuously thriving one? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* We are a large automation company that has a line of consistency transmitters, sample valves and sheet break detectors that are marketed through a rep. network. We are seeking someone with a strong background in consistency control to facilitate start-ups, provide troubleshooting and technical advice. The individual should have experience in all major types of consistency measurement technologies (blade, rotary, microwave and optical). Knowledge of sheet break detection technology is desirable as well. Willingness to travel to paper production facilities across the US is a must. Travel & Living Expenses to be reimbursed along with an agreed upon daily per diem rate. For more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

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