The Real Cost of Lift Maintenance What are you paying for? The thoughts and muses of JB

Definitions Service
Work done for the customers of an establishment, often with regard to whether it pleases them or not.
The act of cleaning, checking, adjusting, machinery to make sure that it works properly.
a system or organization that provides people with something that they need.
Associated with ‘racket’ games!
The work that somebody can do by virtue of their job, profession, or training.
Work that does not make anything. Businesses that provide something but do not produce tangible goods.

Synonyms
Check, Examination, provision, ritual, ceremony, benefit.

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Definitions Maintenance
work that is done regularly to keep a machine, building, or equipment in good condition and working order.
the general condition of something with respect to repairs.
the continuation or preservation of something unchanged or unimpaired.
the provision of enough money to ensure a reasonable standard of living.

Synonyms
Preservation, protection, continuance, care, conservation , grant.

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Statement
Within many companies there exists a culture of ‘visits’ and a sub-culture of missed ‘visits’ associated with lift maintenance.
‘Autograph hunters’ is a common term used for so called ‘engineers’ who merely get a sheet signed in order to verify their visit, book time and justify their existence.
This is not lift maintenance but sadly the probable norm.
Much of this culture is driven by poor, results driven management and accountants.

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The State of the Market • 1990; 12 monthly ‘visits’ fully comprehensive maintenance £1,000.00 (Av hourly rate £32.00 per hour) for an average 5 stop passenger lift.
Most expensive components;
Motor £1,000.00
Ropes £1,000.00 • 2012; 12 monthly ‘visits’ fully comprehensive maintenance significantly less than £1,000.00 (Av hourly rate £70.00 per hour)
Most expensive components;
Motor/Drive £3,500.00
Ropes/Belts £2,500.00+

• Reasons????

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Reasons
Lack of standards – BSEN13015 is not commonly referred too or even known
Poorly conceived and out-dated maintenance specifications aimed at ‘catching out’ rather than encouraging and promoting good practice.
Badly policed auditing.
Punitive measures rather than rewards.
Proliferation of ‘pop-up’ companies with instant credibility.
Major companies abandoning there own standards. 15 minute visits??
General lack of knowledge and a lack of general knowledge!

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Reasons
Poor attitude to maintenance.
Blinkered pursuit of bottom line short term profit.
Poorly trained & non-industry sales staff.
Even poorer senior management.
Lack of industry and product knowledge.
Culture with no integrity or honesty.
In line with today’s society.

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Common Scenario A. B. C. D.

Jack & Baz Lifts ‘fill in’ a PQQ. Win the contract purely on price (scoring matrix). Fail to deliver. Previous or locally known Good Lift Co. Ltd are invited back to the table. E. Asked to deliver at Jack & Baz rates due to budgets being set for contract period. F. Good Company Ltd asked to operate at a loss and eventually fail to deliver. G. Engage a procurement consultant - Go to A.

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Solution
Cultural shift towards honesty.
Training, training, training, training.
Respect for customers and products
Open protocols
Better use of standards (BS, EN etc)
Move away from the ‘visit’ culture towards a task based culture with traceable results.
Compulsory licensing of ‘engineers.’
Trade Association and regulating body for Consultants

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What is the client paying for? In many cases; nothing. In some cases; a little. In rare cases; a good service.

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Final Questions • Do we need to ‘visit’ a lift 12 times a year? • Do we need an expansion of the SAFed Guidelines on the supplementary testing of in-service lifts? • Do we need a rigid Planned Preventative Maintenance culture carried out by properly trained ‘mainteneers’ with a wide product knowledge, strong management team supported by excellent well respected technicians who are not financially pressured to deliver a safe and reliable lift service?

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John Bentley Managing Director

0161 688 6500

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