Total productive maintenance (TPM) is a maintenance strategy that involves the active participation of all employees in the organization, from top management to front-line workers, in the continuous improvement of the performance of equipment and processes. The goal of TPM is to maximize the productivity and efficiency of equipment by involving all employees in the maintenance process, rather than just relying on a specialized maintenance team.
TPM was developed in Japan in the 1970s and has since been adopted by companies around the world. It is based on the principle that equipment can be maintained in a more effective and efficient way if all employees are involved in the process, rather than just relying on a specialized maintenance team. This involves training all employees in basic maintenance skills, such as how to identify and fix minor problems, as well as encouraging them to report any issues they encounter with equipment.
TPM involves several key elements, including:
Autonomous maintenance: This involves empowering front-line workers to take ownership of the maintenance of their equipment and to identify and fix minor problems themselves.
Planned maintenance: This involves scheduling regular maintenance activities in advance, rather than waiting for equipment to break down.
Quality maintenance: This involves ensuring that all maintenance activities are carried out to a high standard and that any issues are identified and addressed promptly.
Education and training: This involves providing all employees with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively maintain equipment and identify and fix problems.
Early equipment management: This involves proactively identifying and addressing potential issues with equipment before they occur, through techniques such as vibration analysis and thermal imaging.
The benefits of TPM include improved equipment performance and reliability, reduced downtime, and increased productivity and efficiency. It also promotes a culture of continuous improvement and empowers front-line workers to take an active role in the maintenance of their equipment.
In summary, total productive maintenance is a maintenance strategy that involves the active participation of all employees in the continuous improvement of equipment performance and processes. It aims to maximize productivity and efficiency through proactive maintenance, education and training, and early equipment management.
