TPM: Situation and procedure for a soft introduction in Italian factories

Personalization of products, mix variability and short time to market are the most important factors that forced companies to a new form of organization during last years. A very common reply to this question is a lean organization based on flexibility of productive lines, reduction of storage and integration among company’s sections. In this context, quite different respect to a traditional system, maintenance function must work efficiently. Also maintenance division must give a contribution for the success of the factory. Aim of this work is to introduce a methodology for a soft and tenable application of the principles of total productive maintenance (TPM) in italian factories. The first step of study is an explanation of actual situation, usually based on traditional or on productive maintenance. After a brief introduction, TPM links with productive maintenance are focused in order to suggest a method for total productive maintenance. As conclusion a real application of TPM in a big factory, world leader in plant manufacturing for ceramic industry, is described.