TPM Strategies in Manufacturing SMEs of Punjab: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

The strategy of maintenance management of the equipment of a plant is very useful for the effectiveness of manufacturing system processes. The fast transforming global marketplace calls for influencing advancements in a company’s implementation by focusing on boosting productivity levels, cost cutting, excellence and ensuring deliveries in order to satisfy clients. So, maintenance practices are required in the manufacturing companies. The potential influence of maintenance on the production execution is considerable. Equipment upkeep represents a major component of the operating cost in utilities, transportation, manufacturing and mining industries. This study has carried out manufacturing SMEs (small–medium enterprises) of Punjab to assess the performance of maintenance management strategies and practices. Questionnaire approach followed by quantitative analysis has been employed to ascertain the importance level. Filling and pilot testing of questionnaire has been done and final structured questionnaire has been sent to manufacturing companies of Punjab through random sampling from Punjab industrial directory. Reliability and descriptive statistics have been calculated using SPSS software, and results and conclusions are drawn from this quantitative modeling. TPM strategies and practices involved maintenance management approach. The result indicated that manufacturing organizations are highly focused on breakdown maintenance for carrying out maintenance management activities. Analysis of root cause is the most important quality maintenance technique for carrying out maintenance activities in the organizations, and maintenance management initiatives are significant predictors of maintenance management of continuous improvement. Conditions of 3Ms in the organization are the significant predictor of maintenance management practices in the companies of Punjab. Moreover, preparation of checklists for the planned maintenance is the most significant maintenance activity for carrying out TPM strategic implementation.