Email Jim at jthompson@taii.com

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There is probably no subject we cover more and that is ignored more than maintenance.

Let's face it, maintenance is not glamorous. It is not a new machine. It is often not even a piece of a new machine. It is simply maintaining what you have.

I don't care what the venue may be--industry, government, your private automobile or home--no one wants to pay for maintenance. Everyone would rather cut a ribbon opening something new than maintain what they have.

Yet, maintenance is everything. Life, particularly in production facilities--very particularly in production facilities that operate 24/7--can be good or bad, depending on the level of maintenance established and supported in a sustaining way.

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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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I get a number of satisfying experiences out of this. First, I get to help other people, and that in and of itself is worthwhile. It is maintenance month here at Paperitalo Publications. Let me take a minute here and mention our advertiser, IDCON, which is holding its Reliability & Maintenance Conference March 19 - 22 in Raleigh, North Carolina. How appropriate that they are doing this during our maintenance month, two events which just happened to come together without coordination!

Maintenance does not come together without coordination. I can guarantee that. Maintenance takes planning and close attention to detail. Neglect maintenance, however, and you'll feel pretty good for a brief time--costs will go down, profits will go up and things will seem to be just fine.

Very quickly, however, things will go bump in the night. Most seriously neglected maintenance programs take about two years to get back on track. During that time, people are burned out, production and profits suffer, and life is miserable.

Faced with a maintenance disaster and not knowing its exact origin, I would immediately do two things (as well as get my maintenance department organized for future success). First, I would emphasize lubrication, because lack of lubrication is often the source of unidentified downtime. Second, I would clean the daylights out of everything so that I can see what I have. I would follow this up by improving the lighting.

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Maintenance Month Platinum Sponsor:

RMR Mechanical: We perform as planned! Visit us at www.rmrmechanical.com!

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These two steps are the immediate steps necessary to get a facility back on the track of good maintenance practices. Others are very important, but this is where you start.

Having corrected many maintenance disasters, my attitude toward those who deliberately neglect maintenance is often not kind. There are cases where upper management simply will not give the operating level people the money to do the job right. In this case the focus of my disgust merely shifts. All else being equal, maintenance is the easy path to success.

Safety goes hand-in-hand with maintenance. Show me a safety record problem and I can probably show you that there is a maintenance problem, too.

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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