Benchmarking for strategic maintenance quality improvement

Points out that the concepts of total productive maintenance (TPM) were formulated by combining the principles of total quality control (TQC) and maintenance engineering. Claims that the theory of TPM is not yet exhaustive. Proposes a model called “strategic maintenance quality engineering” (SMQE) to make the theory of TPM exhaustive. Deals with the last phase of SMQE which envisages the evaluation of each cycle of SMQE performance. Applies benchmarking with suitable modifications to carry out the last phase of SMQE. Presents the salient features of pilot implementation study conducted in two companies. Suggests that the use of information technology (IT) for benchmarking SMQE would aid in improving strategic maintenance quality more effectively.