Beginners guide to MRO stores outsourcing launched

08 April, 2025

For many manufacturers, managing MRO stores in-house creates bottlenecks that disrupt production and profitability. According to a recent report (MRO Supply Chain Report – March 2024), over 51% of UK manufacturers reported unplanned downtime due to spare parts availability issues last year, highlighting the hidden costs of inefficiencies. Resource constraints also exacerbate the problem, with 70% of engineering stores staffed by fewer than four people. This often forces engineers to divert their attention from critical maintenance to time-consuming tasks such as sourcing parts, securing quotes, and chasing deliveries.

“Outsourcing MRO stores management can feel like a big step for many businesses, but this guide provides a clear and straightforward roadmap,” said Pamela Bingham, CEO of ERIKS UK & Ireland. “It highlights how outsourcing can transform stores operations from cost centres to a key part of a world class manufacturing organisation that plays a key role in increasing production uptime, driving out unnecessary costs and continual improvement in areas such as predictive maintenance and energy use.”

The guide explores the challenges of in-house MRO stores management and explains how outsourcing introduces improved structure, transparency, and reliability. By reducing downtime, streamlining inventory processes, and creating greater visibility into MRO operations, outsourcing provides manufacturers with the tools to optimise performance and improve cost control.

The guide also covers what happens on taking the first step, starting with an audit of current processes to identify inefficiencies and assess areas where outsourcing can have the greatest impact. By implementing tailored stores management solutions, manufacturers can ensure a smoother transition and realise immediate operational benefits.

Manufacturers interested in exploring the benefits of outsourcing their MRO stores management can download The Beginner’s Guide to MRO Stores Outsourcing now from at: https://ow.ly/wsQA50V6JcU

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