Logistics operations efficiency depends, among many other moving parts, on the functioning state of equipment. When assets go down, delays occur, and these delays can be catastrophic—from unhappy customers to huge amounts of wasted goods and resources.

Proactive equipment maintenance is the solution. It uses data-driven insights to anticipate equipment issues before they occur. From there, maintenance can be scheduled, and the logistics equipment lifespan can be extended.

This approach completely rethinks traditional maintenance models, resulting in more reliable and sustainable operations. Here at SEKO, we have adopted predictive maintenance to cut costs for our clients and deliver a more resilient, uninterrupted service. Let's take a closer look.

What Is Predictive Maintenance in Logistics?

Before we define predictive maintenance, let's address frequency.

Maintenance frequency in logistics varies considerably. 

Assets like delivery trucks and conveyor systems experience heavy use, which increases wear and tear. In addition, these pieces of the logistics puzzle are extremely important. A broken-down truck can delay hundreds or thousands of deliveries, for example. The stakes are high, which means regular maintenance is crucial.

Equipment that is used less often or operates in stable, predictable conditions generally requires less frequent maintenance. For example, a backup generator doesn’t experience the same wear as daily-use equipment, so it can go longer without maintenance. 

Effective maintenance is as much about frequency as it is about timing. A conventional maintenance strategy is reactive. Something breaks, and then it is fixed.

In contrast, predictive maintenance is proactive. There's no waiting for a problem. Instead, the goal is to prevent any issue from occurring in the first place. Equipment failure prevention means no surprise downtime, which can be costly.

How does this kind of predictive maintenance planning in logistics work?

  • Sensors on equipment collect data.

  • The software monitors this data and uses tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to forecast maintenance needs. It might also conduct an equipment reliability analysis and enable equipment performance monitoring.

  • Companies use these reports to schedule maintenance and achieve equipment life extension in logistics.

Types of Logistics Equipment that Benefit from Predictive Maintenance

Almost any equipment across the logistics network can benefit from predictive maintenance. This includes:

  • Vehicles like forklifts, trucks, and loading vehicles. This high-use equipment is prone to mechanical wear. Predictive maintenance can boost logistics asset longevity and track usage patterns to prevent unexpected failures.

  • Conveyers and sorting systems. This complex machinery benefits from condition-based monitoring. This leads to timely maintenance that avoids costly downtime in fast-moving distribution centers and other environments where every minute counts.

  • Specialized assets like refrigerated transport vehicles. These rely on continuous temperature monitoring to prevent spoilage and waste.

Top Predictive Maintenance Benefits in Logistics

Adopting a predictive maintenance program for your logistics assets delivers these three benefits.

Cost Savings

Equipment failure prevention and maintenance scheduling optimization saves you money in a few different ways. This includes:

  • Less downtime, which enables higher productivity and better asset utilization in supply chain networks

  • Longer equipment lifespans, which means less frequent replacements

  • Lower maintenance costs, as problems are caught and dealt with before they escalate

According to the US Department of Energy, an investment in predictive maintenance delivers 10 times the return, thanks to:

  • 25% to 30% lower maintenance costs

  • 70% to 75% less breakdowns

  • 35% to 45% less downtime

  • 20% to 25% increase in production

Extended Logistics Equipment Lifespan

Wear and tear is inevitable. But continuous monitoring ensures small problems are repaired before they turn into something bigger—and more expensive. This approach extends the functional life of logistics assets and ensures consistent and reliable performance.

At SEKO, we perform regular equipment health checks to reduce the need for frequent replacements. This bolsters your asset return on investment (ROI).

Stronger Safety Standards

Predictive equipment monitoring catches problems before they develop. Sometimes, when left unchecked, minor hiccups can spiral into workplace hazards. These might result in equipment-related accidents that, in addition to harming the workforce, damage your reputation.

Our predictive approach mitigates risks across the supply chain, particularly in higher-traffic environments like warehouses where malfunctions put employees at risk.

How to Implement Predictive Maintenance in Logistics

Take your maintenance planning in logistics to the next level by adopting predictive maintenance. Get started by following these steps.

Step 1: Collect Data

Predictive maintenance relies on accurate and timely data. To collect this data, you'll need to install Internet of Things (IoT) enabled sensors on your equipment. You might also gather historical data on maintenance records and equipment performance for more accurate predictions.

Step 2: Use ML and AI to Draw Conclusions

Software with predictive models that use ML and AI anticipate equipment failure. We leverage advanced analytics to analyze performance data and predict maintenance needs. Then, we take action, scheduling maintenance work to minimize disruptions.

Step 3: Leverage Monitoring Software

Real-time monitoring tools notify team members when equipment shows early signs of issues. Those team members can then schedule proactive repairs.

Step 4: Assess Your Results

Predictive maintenance is not a one-and-done. As your assets evolve, so, too, should your approach to maintaining them. Update your models to fill in gaps and refine their accuracy.

You can also integrate predictive systems with existing enterprise asset management (EAM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for seamless operation within SEKO's logistics framework.

Stay On Top of Equipment Maintenance with SEKO

At SEKO, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Everything we do and every investment we make aims to make our service the best it can be. We have integrated cutting-edge predictive maintenance technology throughout our network. Our assets are more efficient and more reliable. We have improved equipment durability in logistics and the safety of our operations. For our customers, this means a dependable logistics solution with fewer risks.

Find out more about how SEKO's customer-first, tech-driven approach can change the game for your business. Reach out today.