Have you ever heard the saying, “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine”? It sounds a little harsh, but scrambling in the midst of a crisis is even rougher.
In manufacturing plants, emergencies are bound to arise from time to time. And when operations require compressed air, one of the greatest potential emergencies is downtime. While some air compressor downtime is inevitable, having a contingency plan in place beforehand can ensure that operations suffer little to no interruption.
A contingency plan is all about being a step ahead. Preparing for the unexpected usually makes for a better end result. That’s because when unexpected events occur, less time will be spent running around trying to figure out what to do and more will be spent on executing the plan so production can continue.
A good way to minimize the impact of a compressed air interruption is via a contingency plan that includes implementation of temporary equipment via short-term air rental.
When an air compressor goes down, it may not be cost-effective to continue operations with reduced production capacity. In these situations, short-term air rental can allow for minimal impact to operations so there's little financial loss.
A plant that has a contingency plan for the deployment of temporary equipment can get equipment in place faster and more efficiently than the plant that has to figure out whom to call and what needs to be done on the manufacturing floor before a rental can be brought in. And when an air compressor is down, that time is precious.
A compressed-air contingency plan can give plant operators peace of mind by:
- Reducing the risk of financial loss
- Decreasing time needed to install temporary equipment
- Scheduling building modifications for temporary solutions in advance
- Identifying any weaknesses in the compressed air system
- Providing flexibility to schedule maintenance and new equipment installation
Contingency planning doesn’t have to be complex.
All it takes is a little time with your service provider so that you can evaluate your situation and determine what steps to take in the event of unexpected downtime. That’s it. There’s no added cost to create the plan and once it’s in place, plant operators can rest easy knowing they won’t have to scramble during an emergency. That’s so much upside with so little hassle. So the question is: Do you have a compressed air contingency plan in place?
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn