When production stops, losses start adding up fast. New study shows just how costly unplanned downtime has become for manufacturers.

When critical equipment fails, the consequences can ripple across entire operations. That’s why, for Tomáš Hladík—Vice Chairman of the EFNMS European Training Committee—maintenance is not just a technical chore. It is a strategic part of doing business.

“If you plan and schedule maintenance operations properly, you can, as a company, unlock capacity you didn’t even know you had,” explains Roger Ham, Global Asset Lifecycle Lead at Kerry Group. “It’s like getting two technicians for free—without hiring anyone.”

Drones have rapidly gone from experimental gadgets to essential tools in industrial maintenance. Once used just for basic visual checks, they now carry advanced sensors and cameras that can detect leaks, corrosion, and damage with high precision.

The European Union is initiating a significant shift toward greater accountability in the battery industry. Following the introduction of the EU Batteries Regulation (EUBR) in summer 2023, the processes surrounding battery manufacturing, usage, and recycling across Europe are being fundamentally redefined.