4 ways Coates supports industrial customers during shutdowns

How Coates supports and adds value to customers during, leading up to and following major industrial events

Shutdowns are a necessary part of asset management for 24/7 industrial facilities. Expert planning and coordination must therefore go into these events, to minimise downtime and ensure work can be performed safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Backed by a team of highly skilled and trained shutdown specialists, Coates Industrial Solutions has considerable experience in the planning and delivery of shutdowns Australia-wide. Coates is also able to scale its delivery team up and down to meet customer needs. “We currently have a team of 24 specialists on rotation for Chevron, across a range of disciplines,” explains Rod Stobart, Coates Shutdown and Project Manager.

Here we consider four ways Coates supports and adds value to customers during, leading up to and following major industrial events.

1. Partners in planning

While some customers seek support from Coates during the delivery phase of shutdowns, Rod believes far greater value can be realised by engaging Coates early during the planning for these events. "The key to extracting maximum value from partnering with Coates is to engage us early,” says Rod.

By partnering and engaging with customers early, Coates can get a better understanding of what the customer really needs and ensure the right equipment is commissioned. Coates can also drive efficiency by advising on the suitability of any new equipment and sharing equipment and process innovation.

As well as helping customers to define the technical shutdown equipment requirements, Coates can recommend optimal locations for facilities like tool stores and other site accommodation, and advise on generator requirements for powering activity on site. “We can even design lighting plans and advise on where lighting towers need to go to,” says Rod. 

“By embedding ourselves in our customer’s business and their early planning processes, not only can we deliver on the project requirements but we have the opportunity to help shape our customer’s approach and enhance project outcomes too,” he adds.

2. Optimising the management and performance of tools and equipment

To support the delivery of major shutdowns, Coates provides comprehensive and fully managed on site tool store solutions. These solutions, coupled with a team of Coates tool store specialists, electricians and mechanics, add value to customer shutdowns by:

• Managing the hiring and allocation of all tools and equipment
• Identifying tool and equipment wastage and reducing unnecessary hires
• Managing an inventory of consumables to reduce tool downtime
• Tracking the location and use of tools and equipment to improve utilisation
• Increasing accountability to return and look after tools and equipment and subsequently reducing the cost and productivity impact of lost tools and equipment
• Performing proactive cleaning and maintenance work to keep tools in good working order
• Managing tooling, lifting equipment certifications
• Quickly scaling equipment hire up and down to meet demand
• Overseeing verification of competency for compliance.

3. Informing equipment hire

To operate tool stores, Coates currently relies on the proprietary CHASE software. Coates is also expanding the use of its next-generation proprietary tool and equipment management system, SiteIQ. Together, these technologies allow Coates to efficiently track the location and performance of all tools and equipment, and provide customers with detailed information to inform their equipment hire decisions.

“Our reports offer customers insight into things like the daily cost of all shutdown equipment, and the location and utilisation rates of equipment,” says Rod. “This information drives project efficiency and allows customers to encourage more efficient and cost-effective hire behaviours on site.”

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is another technology that continues to add value for Coates customers, particularly for the hire of smaller tools and equipment. “Lost tools can be a major customer expense during shutdowns,” says Rod. “We use RFID technology to help track equipment during events, and to locate all equipment at the end of a shutdown”.

Coates also continues to invest in its range of telematic equipment. “Coates recognises the potential telematics has to offer insight and reporting capability for industrial sector customers,” Rod explains. “A good example is a large WA resources sector client that Coates is currently supporting with an entirely telematic diesel fleet. The introduction of telematic equipment to this site has given our customer enhanced visibility around where their equipment is and when it’s being operated, allowing them to continually optimise their hire.”

4. Freeing customers for operational focus

Partnering with an experienced industrial solutions provider with the breadth of capabilities of Coates allows customers to focus on the most important tasks at hand. 

“There are a lot of moving parts and critical tasks to be delivered during industrial shutdowns,” says Rod. “Working with Coates gives clients the assurance they need to focus on the more critical operational aspects of delivering these events, knowing that their tools, equipment and consumables are being managed and optimised.”

Reach out today to find out how Coates Industrial Solutions can support your next major shutdown.