In Europe, industry in particular has shown signs of recovery in the early part of the year. Germany has increased its investments in defense and infrastructure, Poland’s economy is growing faster than the EU average, and in several countries, industry is once again acting as the economic driver. In Finland, too, the industrial recovery is bringing much-needed positive momentum.

As production lines accelerate and investments increase, a question arises that directly affects the field of maintenance: are there enough people who know how to do it?

There is already a shortage of experienced maintenance experts. At the same time, the level of demands in the field is rising.

Maintenance is no longer just about fixing faults or performing predefined maintenance tasks. It is increasingly about understanding systems, interpreting data, and making proactive decisions.

Technological upheaval has rapidly changed professional images.

The job of a maintenance engineer is not the same as it was a decade ago. Real-time condition monitoring, sensor technology, data analytics and artificial intelligence-based predictions are part of everyday life in many organizations. This development does not reduce the need for experts – on the contrary. It changes the focus of expertise.

Tomorrow’s maintenance will require professionals who, in addition to measurement technology, also master data management, analytics and reporting. The ability to combine technical understanding with digital tools is needed.

Maintenance is no longer routine, but expert work and its value is directly reflected in the reliability and competitiveness of production.

Therefore, one key question for us is: where do we find these new factors?

Perhaps we need to look in that famous mirror. Could maintenance also offer an attractive career path for experts in information technology, automation or data analytics?

Could we communicate our industry more boldly from a technology and impact perspective – not just as a support function, but as a strategic competitive factor?

Maintenance is the invisible backbone of society. It ensures that factories run, energy flows and infrastructure functions. When we succeed in making this visible and opening the doors to multidisciplinary expertise, the industry can become even more attractive.

The creators of the future may not yet know that they belong to maintenance. Our job is to tell them why they should.

Current studies show without a doubt that predictive maintenance, which utilizes data in the right way, can bring the owner more than it takes – maintenance is an investment that pays for itself many times over.
With new technology, predictive maintenance is no longer just optimization in theory or plans. It is up-to-date, precise and efficient.

With the help of sensors, artificial intelligence and analytics, it is possible to continuously monitor the condition of machines and equipment, address problems before they turn into expensive downtime and extend the life cycle of production equipment at the lowest possible cost.

Increasing the competitiveness of industry is no longer limited to just production volumes or price optimization – maintenance is the resource that separates the winners from the losers.
However, technology is not the only resource. The revolution in industrial maintenance is also reflected in the development of the circular economy. Regulation, innovation and new business models are completely changing the way maintenance is done.

As our journalist Mia Heiskanen writes in her Ecomondo trade fair report, the circular economy is no longer an emerging trend – it is accelerating rapidly and changing the entire industrial field.

Predictive maintenance is increasingly becoming a service where resource optimization, material reuse and comprehensive life cycle thinking are seamlessly intertwined.

Machines and equipment are no longer just performance items made of iron and electronics. They are part of a complex ecosystem where foresight, intelligent data processing and innovative maintenance models decide who stays ahead of the competition.

Robots, drones and other solutions familiar from military technology have found their way into the management of factories and production facilities – they are no longer a futuristic addition, but an everyday occurrence that enhances maintenance and brings visibility that was previously impossible.

This issue offers two insightful articles on the growing role of drones in maintenance.

Properly managed maintenance is therefore not just an economic necessity. It is a strategic choice that is reflected in the continuity of production, resource efficiency and competitive advantage.

It opens up new business opportunities, supports the growth of the circular economy and gives industry the tools to respond to changes in both technology and markets quickly and flexibly.

Maintenance is changing – and the change is radical. Now is the time to elevate maintenance to the position it deserves: a resource that supports business, generates revenue and builds the future. Every industrial professional who understands this can turn the power of maintenance into their own competitive advantage.

At Maintworld, we believe that in today’s digital era, print is more than just a medium – it is an experience. Print is tangible, authentic, and valuable. When a reader opens a magazine, they pause and dive in – receiving a calm, structured reading experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Well-curated print content is at its best personalized, multisensory, and above all, trustworthy.

Of course, Maintworld is also easily accessible online and through its newsletters. Going forward, we aim to further develop a content strategy where print and digital complement each other seamlessly. While our belief in print remains strong, we are equally committed to expanding our digital services together with you.

Maintworld has reached its audience well online, too. Our ambition is to offer members and readers the best possible combination: the quality and presence of print alongside the speed and flexibility of digital.
In this issue as well, we want to open the world of maintenance as broadly as possible. Be inspired and motivated. Share your feedback or send us your story ideas – we are curious and highly motivated to create the very best maintenance content for you.

Print lives on and thrives wherever a community values depth, trust, and the opportunity to pause with important information. Print is not yesterday – it is today’s premium and a strong partner for all of us working in the field.

And that is precisely why our professional magazine is an investment for you and the community you represent. Together, we want to strengthen trust within the maintenance profession, build on our shared expertise, and leave a lasting mark in our common story.

Everyday professionals ensure that operations run smoothly in production plants, on roads, railways, in ports, and shopping centres. In factories, production lines are maintained and deliver on their targets without dramatic interruptions. Roads and transport routes are functional and safe, allowing goods and people to move reliably. Homes and public spaces are refurbished and maintained to ensure they remain good places to live and operate.

Ports, rail transport, depots, and airports – the very foundations of our society – must serve their users 24/7, come calm or storm. Maintenance stands guard and keeps everything running. It is a cornerstone of supply security – often invisible, but vital for life and its ongoing pulse.

Maintenance is a critical part of industry, infrastructure, and services. The expertise of professionals in our field will become even more essential as new technologies and artificial intelligence become part of everyday life. These tools will not replace people – on the contrary, they empower us to do our work better, more efficiently, and more safely.

Today, there are unprecedented opportunities for skilled maintenance professionals. Demand for our know-how is growing, and the future looks bright.

There is work in this field – plenty of it, all around the world. Maintenance never ends: equipment, structures, and processes require constant care and development. As a field, maintenance is a major employer, offering diverse career paths for a wide range of talent.

I look forward to inspiring encounters with experts and readers in our field. Together, we can raise maintenance to the position it deserves and ensure the sector remains attractive and vibrant well into the future.
The future of maintenance is built on competence – let’s make sure, together, that the availability of skilled professionals doesn’t become a barrier to progress. Let’s invest in education in every country – education that inspires, evolves, and continues to produce highly motivated top talent for the industry!