Maintainers need the recognition

At the MainTrain 2006 conference in Toronto later this month, we’ll announce the winners of the PEM 2006 Maintenance Awards. It’s a fantastic networking event that recognizes maintenance and asset management excellence. I’m proud to be a part of the PEM awards initiative. It’s all about giving back to the industry.

Past winners include Gennum Corp., Purolator Courier, Dofasco Inc. and the City of Toronto (Water Treatment Supply and Wastewater Treatment). To be honest, it has been a challenge to receive award submissions. As PEM editor, I’m not really sure why this is the case. Entering a submission is a “no-lose” scenario for maintainers.

Firstly, the maintenance or plant manager has the opportunity to pause and reflect on the many successes of the maintenance team and/or facility. Once documented, an award submission is sent along for judging consideration by PEM. Winners are then able to shine the industry spotlight on their maintenance teams or facilities.

This year is no exception, as the two winners are more than worthy to have been selected. As a manager of a team/facility, I encourage you to participate in the PEM 2007 Maintenance Awards – if for just one reason. Since the inception of the awards, I have met with the winning maintenance teams and
toured their operations.

Maintainers on the shop floor can’t curtail their enthusiasm. It’s always a pleasure to see genuine interest, commitment and pride at work. You can’t put a dollar figure on something like this. At the awards banquet, a collective sense of accomplishment is even more apparent with everyone on hand to celebrate together.

The award winners receive one free pass to MainTrain, a plaque and cool prizes to use on the job. PEM also publishes a case-study story on their maintenance operations. So, you have one year to pull together your award submission. I don’t have to tell you that motivated maintainers make a difference to the bottom line.

Let’s hear from you next year!
Robert Robertson, Editor
PEMAC Allied Member
rrobertson@clbmedia.ca