The maintenance department at ASER Construction PLC plays a vital role in the company’s overall technical activities. Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Engineer Abayneh Chaka Manager, of the maintenance department of ASER construction. He shared insights into the department’s achievements over the past year, as well as its plans, opportunities, and challenges for the future.
PR; What are the Primary Responsibilities of the maintenance department?
Eng. Abayneh, highlighted, At ASER Construction, each project site is equipped with various plants and construction equipment, requiring dedicated maintenance areas and at central garage. While each project has its own maintenance team, repairs beyond their capacity are handled at the central garage.
The garage plays a crucial role in conducting major maintenance work, especially when project teams are occupied with other tasks from minor repairs to heavy machinery maintenance, the central garage ensures that essential equipment remains operational.
PR; Can you tell us about the Contribution of the maintenance department to ASER Construction?
Eng. Abayneh explained, the maintenance department plays a vital role in ASER Construction’s success. Without proper maintenance and safety checks, construction activities would come to a halt. The maintenance team ensures all equipment functions efficiently.
Additionally, some equipment that is unavailable for rent is repaired and put back into service by the team, further supporting the company’s operations.
PR: Are there any challenges within the maintenance department?
Eng. Abayneh highlighted that a primary challenge is the lack of skilled personnel in the repair sector, making it difficult to find experienced professionals. Additionally, the limited space at the central garage creates obstacles for conducting major repairs effectively. Tackling these issues, such as expanding the workspace and recruiting skilled labor, would greatly enhance the department’s efficiency, and efforts are already underway to address them.
Another significant challenge is the shortage of spare parts. Even when parts are available, concerns over their quality can slow down the repair process. To resolve this, ASER Construction is actively working to source high-quality replacements from abroad, despite difficulties in obtaining foreign exchange.
PR: How would you assess the progress of the maintenance department in 2017?
According to Eng. Abayneh, one of the primary goals of maintenance management is to control the operational costs of a facility. This can be achieved by using a combination of maintenance strategies, such as predictive and preventive maintenance, to maximize the efficiency of each asset. Preventive maintenance plays a crucial role in cost control by minimizing unexpected breakdowns and expensive emergency repairs.
As a result, preventive measures are being implemented, and equipment damaged during operations is being repaired and re-deployed. At the moment, 12 to 13 of equipment are out of service due to either damage or a shortage of spare parts. However, once the replacements arrive in the next two to three months, the department plans to restore these machines to full operational capacity.
PR; How did your department Collaboration with Other Departments of ASER?
Eng. Abayneh explained that, the maintenance department works closely with other departments. Since maintenance teams at project sites coordinate with the central garage, the department functions as an integrated unit to keep all equipment and plants in working order.
