Maintenance Sends a Message

BY MATTHEW D. MOHR

One of the responsibilities of owning plant, property and equipment is determining the proper level of maintenance to ensure the assets equal or exceed their expected productive life. In addition to achieving the best productive capacity, general maintenance says a lot about an organization’s attitude and culture.

During the good years in the Iron Range area of northeast Minnesota, several exceptional buildings were constructed. They have incredible workmanship from hand-crafted woodwork to solid granite and marble floors. These buildings were meant to last and provided a showcase of the talent in the area. As mining and general business slowed down, necessary maintenance was left undone. Unfortunately, many of these buildings fell into disrepair and have been torn down. Keeping up the property was deemed too expensive — now many are gone, or are on the list to be destroyed.

The cultural aspect of “we can’t afford to fix it” and “it doesn’t matter” reveals truths about an organization and its owners. If the paint is always peeling or the steps are not cleared of snow, it’s a pretty good indication of what’s going on at the business. Of course, every asset needs some attention occasionally, but constant neglect is different than a short-term repair need.

I recently toured two successful businesses. Both were conscientious about their facilities. One took me up to the maintenance shop via the back stairs. Despite the fact that usually only the employees use the back stairway, it was painted and sparkling clean. I was impressed. The organization has strict standards. The other facility was new and clean, but not exceptionally clean. It is nice, but it will show signs of wear quickly. Maintaining any equipment or property is expensive, but choosing to let things go undone is more costly in the long run. PB

Matthew D. Mohr CEO, Dacotah Paper Co. Fargo, N.D. mmohr@dacotahpaper.com

If you care about where you live, you do what you can to take care of the place. You volunteer, you give back, you help others, and you try to make the neighborhood better for everybody. That’s how we feel about this community. And that’s why we do what we do. For details, visit xcelenergy.com.