Basic Description
MRO or Maintenance, Operations, and Repairs, is the management of inventory, control, maintenance, storage, and costing of spare parts needed to keep the facility in operation.
The acronym MRO stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations, which encompasses all the activities and materials a company employs to create its end products. MRO includes a wide array of items, such as spare parts, equipment like pumps and valves, consumables such as cleaning supplies, and plant upkeep materials like lubricants. Essentially, anything that contributes to the manufacturing process but does not end up in the final product can be classified as MRO.
At the heart of MRO management lies the storeroom. This space serves as the central hub for maintenance operations, tasked with ensuring that all required parts are in stock and readily available. The storeroom must prioritize quality and cost-effectiveness, creating an environment where maintenance can thrive. When operated under best practices, the storeroom enables the entire maintenance operation to excel. Conversely, if managed poorly—characterized by inaccurate inventory, unavailability of parts, or ineffective procurement practices—the entire maintenance effort risks falling short in delivering high levels of equipment availability and reliability. The primary responsibility of the storeroom, therefore, is to empower maintenance teams, providing them with the resources they need to succeed.