SKF has welcomed Stoke on Trent based Fletcher Moorland into its group of SKF Certified Rebuilders, for the repair of industrial electric motors. Fletcher Moorland makes up one of the five companies in the UK who have passed through the rigorous certification process. The company now carries the mark that helps end users identify those repair shops offering an approved quality service with the right experience and expertise to quickly, efficiently and effectively diagnose and repair electric motors.
To earn the prestigious SKF Certified Rebuilder status, the team at Fletcher Moorland completed extensive training in electric motor failure analysis, bearing installation, lubrication systems and condition monitoring technologies. This certification programme is awarded to specialist companies providing electric motor repair services that meet SKF's exacting standards and specifications and are periodically audited to ensure compliance.
Fletcher Moorland's managing director Matt Fletcher explains, "It involved a change in workshop procedures and mindsets. Training on best practices and modern repair methods have been given, adapted and created by this certification. We've invested heavily in equipment and our employees are now always looking at all our procedures and methodology to see how we can improve still further."
"The difference to our business has been great; it has made us move from a traditional reactive service to a more proactive service for our customers and we have totally eliminated warranty claims caused by improper bearing fitting. Additionally, it has developed our understanding of modern maintenance methods and practices. We want to stop failures happening on our customers' sites and work with them to improve productivity. Ultimately, the benefits to our business mean we are more able to meet our customers' future needs," he added.
First launched on the US market in 2006, the SKF Certified Rebuilder programme was developed in response to increased end user needs for improved electric motor reliability. The scheme also allows Certified Rebuilders to offer root cause analysis so businesses can identify exactly what is causing equipment to fail in the first instance so that it can be prevented in the future. For customers, the programme means fewer breakdowns, a greater return on their investment, improved Operational Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and, ultimately, increased profits from their production plant.
As well as Fletcher Moorland in the Midlands, there are four other Certified Rebuilders throughout the UK: WGM Engineering in Scotland, Team Rewinds in the North East, Anstee Ware in the South West and Mid-Kent Electrical Engineering Company (MKE) in the South East.