DeFoe Corp. reduces preventable downtime by 50% with ManagerPlus

About DeFoe Corp.

The solution

DeFoe partnered with ManagerPlus to streamline its maintenance operations by achieving the following objectives.

Reduced downtime, delays, and costs with preventive maintenance

DeFoe operates in rugged environments that push equipment to the limits of durability. Dust, heavy debris, and other hazards can wreak havoc on equipment — particularly small components such as oil and fuel filters, which can easily become clogged and cause engine failure.

ManagerPlus has helped DeFoe reduce these causes of downtime by at least 50% by making it easy to schedule and track routine cleanings and replacements of filters and other components. These preventive services are now performed in DeFoe’s maintenance shops, helping the company avoid costly delays associated with unexpected failures out on job sites.

DeFoe can now gain efficiencies on scheduled work by consolidating preventive maintenance, inspections, certifications and other services into ManagerPlus as a single source of all asset data. Asset managers and technician teams can easily view a complete list of tasks and services for every piece of equipment in the ManagerPlus EAM platform. Now teams can work more efficiently and provide greater accountability when an asset comes into the shop.

This puts DeFoe in better control of its resources and provides asset managers with the flexibility to respond quickly when unexpected issues arise. ManagerPlus makes the work order process easy and efficient, while also supporting proactive maintenance tasks.

Scheduling preventive maintenance in ManagerPlus helps DeFoe reduce overall repair costs by minimizing breakdowns. For example, with one process, the asset manager schedules regular retorquing of hub nuts on its full fleet of trucks. Notifications ensure these critical services are completed on time to help prevent wheels from walking off their axels under the weight of heavy loads, which can cause severe damage and impact profitability.

Simplified regulatory compliance

As a heavy construction contractor, DeFoe must stay current on a wide range of regulations pertaining to equipment maintenance, worker safety, and union rules. Registrations, certifications, and inspections must all be consistently scheduled and tracked in order to avoid lapses that can result in costly downtime or regulatory penalties. Fines can reach up to $10,000 per incident — not to mention damage to DeFoe’s reputation as a reliable, safety conscious contractor.

DeFoe uses the maintenance scheduling functionality in ManagerPlus to streamline the important regulatory services and tasks, and tracking ensures that everything is completed on time, with full accountability. All documentation related to regulations — including historical maintenance and inspections — can be attached to equipment records in ManagerPlus and emailed directly to clients and regulatory officials at any time.

DeFoe’s cranes, for example, must be kept in compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety codes, state regulations, manufacturer recommendations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, and New York City’s Department of Buildings Crane & Derick Division regulations. Each set of standards require a battery of daily or monthly inspections, as-needed services, and specific checks that must be performed when a crane is first put into service.

Falling behind on any of these inspections or services can lead to costly downtime. In addition, union crane operators will not risk losing their licenses by operating a machine that is not certified, adding even more importance to the process. Likewise, DeFoe leaders know that staying current on regulations is critical for the safety of operators, worksites, and the general public.

With ManagerPlus, DeFoe leaders now receive automated notifications a month before inspections are due.

Because manufacturer documents can be attached directly to asset records in ManagerPlus, mechanics can quickly find information they need and follow standard operating procedures to ensure compliance. ManagerPlus EAM software will also automatically generate detailed checklists to ensure no task is overlooked.

As the inspections are completed in ManagerPlus, historical records are automatically generated and attached to the asset records in the system. Once the certification document arrives from the regulators, it can also be uploaded and attached to each asset’s record, keeping everything accessible in one place. Compliance data is just a few clicks away.