It is a familiar scenario in international industry: a production plant comes to a standstill because a critical spare part no longer seems to be available. The original manufacturer no longer exists, the documentation is incomplete or the part is considered obsolete. What seems like a dead end to many is the beginning of a fascinating search for experienced MRO specialists.
Accepting the challenge
The procurement of supposedly "impossible" spare parts is not an exception in global industry - it is an everyday reality. There are many reasons why parts are difficult to procure:
- Company mergers and acquisitions
- Production settings
- Outdated technologies
- Relocation of production sites
- Incomplete documentation
Strategies for successful searches
The key to success lies in a systematic approach based on three main pillars:
- International network A global network of locations and partners opens up access to markets and procurement sources that are not available locally. From Europe to America and Asia, various markets can be examined in parallel.
- Technical expertise Simply searching for part numbers is often not enough. It is crucial to understand the technical function in order to be able to identify alternative solutions. It is often possible to replace an "impossible" part with a technically equivalent or even improved component.
- Systematic research The search is methodical and includes:
- Analysis of technical documentation
- Research in international databases
- Examination of company histories
- Identification of alternative manufacturing options
From the individual solution to the strategy
Experience shows: The best solution is to avoid critical situations. Valuable insights for future procurement strategies can be derived from every complex search:
- Early identification of critical components
- Development of preventive procurement strategies
- Development of alternative supplier structures
- Evaluation of modern replacement solutions
Time as a critical factor
In industrial production, downtime often means considerable costs. Efficient processes in spare parts procurement are therefore crucial:
- Parallel search strategies in different markets
- Pre-qualified partners for custom-made products
- Optimized logistics processes for time-critical deliveries
Conclusion: solutions are possible
Experience in the international MRO business shows: Even seemingly "impossible" procurement tasks can be solved. The key lies in the combination of a global network, technical expertise and a systematic approach.
With the right strategy and an experienced partner, "impossible" spare parts become procurable components - and production downtimes become avoidable situations.