Welcome to Evolution, issue 2/2002. First – a question. How many times have you been affected by faulty equipment at work or at home? I’m sure most of us have suffered the frustrating consequences of equipment problems at some point, but for business, down time is particularly costly. In this issue of Evolution, maintenance and reliability are high on the agenda. A shift in thinking proves how productivity and profitability are increased when proactive maintenance programs are implemented.
Take Phelps Dodge in Arizona, for example. The largest copper mine in North America must operate thousands of pieces of equipment and machinery 24 hours a day. To that end, the company employs something called “reliability-centered maintenance,” a concept taken from the aircraft industry and introduced to the mining world. This is a mine committed to maintaining a world-class equipment-management system.
   Across the Atlantic, in Northern Spain, Ecotècnia is taking the wind-turbine industry by storm. As designers of wind generators, Ecotècnia has mastered the challenges of complex terrain and variable winds. More than 800 windmills in Spain, Cuba, India and Japan have their own maintenance manual and are serviced regularly (just like a car). However, this equipment is high off the ground, and sometimes maintenance must be accomplished in difficult weather conditions. This is demanding and specialized work.
   Now I want to take you to paradise, to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin where you will be guaranteed a glass of – “universal necessity.” No, it’s not a tropical cocktail; it’s clean drinking water. Here, Vivendi Enerserve N.V. plays a key role in the daily lives of visitors and islanders alike with water-treatment plants for hotels and homes. Reliability and reduced maintenance are the key to keeping life on a tropical island relaxing.
   Our profile in this issue focuses on Richard Barrett. He is out to change the world with his innovative Corporate Transformation Tools that can help to build vision-guided, values-driven organizations. These tools, together with human capital, will ensure corporate advantage, Barrett says.
In our Around the World pages we update you on the development of the electronic marketplace for branded industrial supplies – endorsia.com. So far, it has had a staggering growth rate of 25 percent per quarter. This is all thanks to an online open marketplace that is meeting the important needs of distributors and customers.
   I hope you find this issue of Evolution enjoyable and informative. If you require further information about the customer solutions and products featured, please contact your local SKF unit, dealer or distributor. I also recommend that you take a look at Evolution online at evolution.skf.com. The archive of previous articles may provide the solution you require. Take care and see you soon.
Rachael Smythe
  
Editor-in-chief