Direct answer
Use a service contract where planned inspection, specialist skills, response arrangements and parts planning reduce a material production risk. Keep reactive support for low-criticality assets only when downtime, spares and internal competence make that choice acceptable.
Why this matters
The decision should be based on business consequence rather than machine age. A simple machine can be critical when it stops the whole line, while a complex machine may have redundancy.
Decision table
| Factor | Planned contract | Reactive support |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | Scheduled condition and safety checks | Triggered after fault |
| Response | Defined route and terms | Subject to availability |
| Spares | Can be planned from risk | Often sourced during failure |
| Cost | Predictable planned cost | Variable event cost |
| Best fit | Critical or specialist assets | Low-consequence assets with strong internal cover |
Information to collect
- Rank assets by lost output and safety consequence.
- Review fault and maintenance history.
- Identify internal skills and permitted tasks.
- List long-lead and single-point failure parts.
- Define response and support hours.
- Compare total cost over a realistic period.
Practical method
- 1
Create an asset criticality matrix.
- 2
Select contract scope by risk.
- 3
Agree visit outputs and reports.
- 4
Link findings to a maintenance action register.
- 5
Review performance and recurring faults annually.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying the same contract for every machine.
- Ignoring travel, response and parts exclusions.
- Treating servicing as a substitute for operator checks.
- Failing to close service recommendations.
- Choosing reactive support without critical spares.
Questions people also ask
What should a service contract include?
Define machines, visit frequency, inspection scope, response terms, reports, exclusions, labour, travel and parts.
Does planned service prevent every breakdown?
No, but it can identify wear and control foreseeable risks before failure.
How should critical machines be identified?
Use lost output, quality, safety, repair time, redundancy and parts availability.
Can internal maintenance and external service be combined?
Yes. Define responsibilities, competence and escalation so work is not duplicated or missed.
Continue from the requirement to the equipment
Use the specialist route that matches the product, pack and process. Final suitability requires representative samples, output targets and site information.