TABLE OF CONTENTS MRO stands for maintenance, repair, and overhaul. In the context of this publication, MRO inventory will include disposable and repairable equipment spare parts and consumable maintenance supplies. A more definitive list of these item types is as follows:
Disposable spare parts whose inventory levels are replenished by reordering from a supplier.
Disposable spare parts, whose inventory levels are replenished in a fabrication shop (internal or external).
Spare parts that can be rebuilt and returned to inventory after the repair.
Critical spares that need to be monitored periodically to guarantee they are in prime condition when needed.
Shop items such as steel, sheet metal, or tubing.
Maintenance supply items.
Manufacturing and general plant supply items such as janitorial supplies, clothing items, etc.
Tools and maintenance test equipment.
Parts and supplies waiting to be used or project activities.
Excessive parts and equipment left over from projects and awaiting resolution (stock, return, or disposal)
Although this information seems very straightforward, it is surprising to find the current status of MRO spare parts management. In most organizations, the storeroom provides poor service levels. This results in hoarding and pirating of spare parts. Such hoarding, of course, will increase the dollar value of the spare parts a company has on hand. In addition, there are many inaccuracies in the stock counts of items on hand in the storeroom. These inaccuracies result in either having too many spare parts on hand, or delays in work execution due to having too...
