As we’ve discussed previously in our Maintenance Tip of the Month posts, regular preventative maintenance is essential to optimise and ensure the smooth running of your bakery. Unexpected equipment failures can lead to compliance risks, significant downtime, and product loss – creating a severe financial headache for your business. The best way to minimise these risks is to implement an efficient and well-documented maintenance schedule. So, how can you stay on top of maintenance tasks and minimise unexpected issues? Enter the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
A CMMS is a software tool designed to help manage regular maintenance tasks. Bakery equipment such as ovens, mixers, proofers, and conveyors require specific care – from daily visual checks, cleaning, and lubrication, to advanced servicing at scheduled intervals. By deploying a CMMS, your team can access a centralised schedule detailing what needs to be done, when, and by whom. With automated reminders and optimised scheduling, a CMMS ensures tasks aren’t overlooked and equipment performance is tracked over the long term. This proactive approach prevents small issues from escalating into costly repairs.
One of the greatest challenges established bakeries face is knowledge retention when experienced employees leave. If a senior engineer with decades of experience retires, they often take a wealth of knowledge about maintenance schedules and equipment quirks with them. Without a CMMS, this knowledge gap can lead to inconsistent maintenance practices or overlooked servicing tasks. A CMMS mitigates this risk by maintaining a digital record of all past, present, and future maintenance activities. New employees can quickly access the system to understand what’s required for specific lines, ensuring continuity in equipment care and reducing the learning curve for incoming team members.
By minimising downtime, reducing costly repairs through preventative maintenance, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, a CMMS helps to keep equipment in optimal working condition. It also improves productivity by centralising maintenance records and supporting smooth staff transitions with a detailed maintenance history.
Want to learn more about how a CMMS can revolutionise your bakery’s maintenance strategy? Contact EPP today at service@eppltd.co.uk or call us at 01372 745558 for a free consultation.
