88���ֳ�

Eight months ago WesTrac and Caterpillar engaged in a scrap bin analysis on all the parts deemed unserviceable from powertrains components disassembled in the past few months, according to WesTrac’s reusability champion Mitchell Peace.

“The Caterpillar representative and I went through all the components and we got feedback as to how well we were determining reusability in the Component Rebuild Centre [CRC]. The result of that scrap bin analysis was that WesTrac changed the way we approached reusability in the CRC,” he said.

Peace said that during a component overhaul within WesTrac’s CRC, a component will go through a two-stage sign off before it is deemed unserviceable. The technician who disassembled the component will first make the decision based on Cat reusability guidelines and experience. This is then double checked by the team lead who signs off on this work prior to it being quoted to the customer.

WesTrac area manager Newcastle CRC Justin Ryan said WesTrac is leveraging off the Caterpillar relationship a lot harder “to apply their knowledge to their products in our environment and this ensures that our customers get the best value for money”.

“We can draw information at a moment's notice through our computer systems within the bays and then apply it straight to a component that is on the floor,” he said.

“Once the technician assesses or inspects a component they can apply the reuse and salvage guidelines. If they have an issue they can put it back through to Caterpillar from the bay or they can engage one of the other technicians within the workshop. It just ensures that we are applying the most up to date information from the bay level with no dilution at all.”

Caterpillar Global senior engineering specialist Keith Kubrick believes it is an almost continuous process. “As we gain new information we make sure that the guidelines are updated,” he said.

“It is really about total cost of ownership. If this wasn't the issue then we would use new parts every time rather than considering salvage or reuse of the existing part. When you really care about the total cost of ownership and providing the lowest cost to the customer you have to consider reuse and salvage.”

Ryan said WesTrac will provide a range of options for its customers with different cost price points so they can select the one that best suits them.

WesTrac has also introduced a repair warranty stream that has not traditionally been involved with CRC, he said.

“In the current market place the customer is more inclined to have a failure if they are pushing out their programs and maintenance intervals. As such they need their components back quickly so we have put in a repair warranty stream to ensure a rapid turnaround,” he said.

“We have the relationship and technology with Caterpillar, we have the specialist tools and resources in the workplace and now we are reinforcing the culture required for a technician on the floor to understand why we shouldn't use a part or a component as opposed to why we should.

“The next step is to expand that capability into our engine section and other areas of the business including hydraulics and machinery rebuilds. It’s all about giving the customers what they need.”