An evaluation of a plant maintenance management function : the case of a lubricants blending plant in Durban.
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Date
2013
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Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of maintenance management function in a
Lubricants Manufacturing Plant (LMP), a manufacturing business unit owned Total South
Africa (TSA), located in Durban. The highly automated manufacturing machinery, reliable
production machines and stringent health and safety legislation have hoisted the significance
of the maintenance function within the manufacturing plants into the higher trajectory.
Research data was solicited by conducting a survey of LMP employees who were directly
and indirectly impacted by the maintenance function. A sample of 95 employees, from all
hierarchical levels at LMP, participated and responded to the questionnaire, in October 2013.
Statistical analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted.
The empirical research done in this study supplemented the theory of maintenance
management pertaining to the strategic role of the maintenance function within
manufacturing plants. The findings of this study revealed that, the maintenance function at
LMP is perceived to be an important business management function which contributes
positively towards the company’s overall objectives and profitability. The study also
revealed that, perceived shortcomings of the maintenance function make LMP’s maintenance
function ineffective. The study also revealed LMP is a closed system manufacturing firm
with a cost centre view towards the maintenance management function. The study also
confirmed the positive support towards the implementation of Total Productive Maintenance
(TPM) as the panacea for improvement of maintenance effectiveness.
The study recommends that TPM is a maintenance strategy which must be implemented in
order to improve maintenance effectiveness and manufacturing operational performance, at
LMP. The recommendations with regards to the study findings and the means to ensure
expeditious execution to improve the effectiveness of the maintenance function were
developed and stated.
Description
MBA University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.
Keywords
Plant maintenance -- South Africa -- Durban., Lubrication and lubricants industry -- South Africa -- Durban., Plants -- South Africa -- Durban -- Lubrication., Theses -- Business administration.