Spare Parts Stocking Levels
How to decide
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Criticality | Does its failure stop the line |
| Lead time | How long to obtain a replacement |
| Cost | Is holding it cheaper than downtime |
| Consumption | How often is it actually replaced |
| Obsolescence | Could an upgrade make it useless |
Practical rules
- Keep one of each critical long-lead item ahead of failure.
- Share slow-moving spares with a neighbouring site where possible.
- Review the list annually against the maintenance history.
Stocking decisions depend on your downtime cost. Quantify it before setting levels.