Reliability program for plant maintenance

Many managers see reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) as a method of gaining an advantage over the competition. This paper defines what a reliability process involves and illustrates how a reliability process was implemented at the Catawba, SC, site of the Bowater Coated Paper Division. Both the successes and the growing pains experienced are discussed with thoughts on how the implementation could have gone smoother. The greatest benefits gained from the process are mentioned and plans for where to carry the process in the future are explored.