Dutch manufacturing output in September was 11.1 percent higher than a year earlier. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported this on 10 November in its figures on industrial production. The machinery industry grew the most, by 43.1 percent. Notably, the branch with the largest decline was repair and installation of machines, down 4.3 percent on a year earlier.
What CBS reports
Five of the eight largest branches grew in September. After machinery come metal products (2.4 percent), food (0.6 percent), transport equipment (0.5 percent) and chemicals (0.3 percent). Rubber and plastics (-1.9 percent), electrical and electronic equipment (-2.5 percent) and repair and installation of machines (-4.3 percent) produced less.
The growth has lasted for months. In August output was 11.7 percent higher than a year earlier, in July 9.4 percent. Producer confidence did fall, from 4.2 in September to 2.3 in October. Producers are less positive about output in the next three months and about their order books. Confidence is still above the average of the past twenty years (-1.4), and the electrotechnical industry, which includes machine building, is the most positive at 8.0.
More machines, less maintenance on existing machines
The figures do not say why repair and installation is lagging. What we do see: when many new machines are being built, the attention of fitters and maintenance departments often goes to new builds and commissioning. Maintenance on machines that have been running for years then easily gets pushed back.
With a cable carrier that goes well for a long time, until it no longer does. Wear on links, crossbars and sliding surfaces builds up slowly, and a cable that has already cracked often keeps running for a while. If you postpone maintenance, it is best to know where you stand:
- Watch for the signs. More noise, a carrier that sags more than it used to, abrasion dust under the carrier or cables coming out of their compartment are signs that something needs to be done. How to recognise them is explained in recognising wear on a cable carrier.
- Record what you see. With the Carrier check you go through a carrier in a few minutes and see whether it is in order, needs attention or calls for action.
- Plan replacement during a stop. If a carrier or cable package has to come out, order the parts for the next planned stop, so the machine does not come to an unexpected standstill.
What Wisman Techniek does
For new machines we check cable carriers and cable packages free of charge and, if you like, supply them fully assembled from our workshop in Ruurlo. For machines already in operation, our RMO specialists inspect and overhaul cable carriers, including those of other brands, and draw up a maintenance plan. If you are building a new machine, a well-chosen fixed point already helps towards a shorter and lighter carrier: read our new article cable carrier fixed point: where to put it?.
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