How do you implement a new maintenance management system across multiple facilities at the same time? For Norwegian recycling company Norsk Gjenvinning, the answer was thorough preparation, local engagement and a flexible CMMS. By adopting Mainter as its maintenance management system, the company has taken significant steps towards more structured maintenance operations and better visibility into its equipment fleet.
Norsk Gjenvinning is one of Norway's leading waste management and recycling companies. Part of the NG Nordic Group, the company works to turn waste into valuable resources and contribute to a more circular economy.
Its operations span 20 facilities of varying sizes, ranging from smaller waste handling and transfer stations to large production facilities with processing lines and dedicated maintenance teams.
When Haakon Raadim joined Norsk Gjenvinning as Technical Project Manager, his first assignment was to bring greater structure to the organisation's maintenance operations.
– We lacked a common maintenance management system. Each facility had its own way of working, using everything from Excel spreadsheets to checklists and other systems. We weren't working systematically, and it was difficult to get a clear overview, Haakon explains.
The goal was clear: establish consistent maintenance procedures, improve overall control and gradually shift from reactive to more preventive maintenance.
Haakon was already familiar with Mainter from his previous employer, ROAF. However, Norsk Gjenvinning's decision to adopt a new maintenance management system began with a thorough evaluation.
The company compared Mainter with several other solutions, including Maintmaster, EG Maintenance, SAP's maintenance module and Clevio. Based on a common set of requirements, user testing was also carried out with operators, maintenance teams and administrative staff.
– We evaluated the systems against our requirements and also gave end users the opportunity to test them in practice. When we compiled the results, Mainter received the highest rating, says Haakon.
Two factors were particularly important: scalability and ease of use.
– We needed a system that would work equally well at both smaller and larger facilities. At the same time, it had to be easy to use for the people working in our day-to-day operations.
With Mainter as its chosen CMMS, Norsk Gjenvinning can establish a common framework for maintenance management while allowing each facility to operate in its own Mainter environment, tailored to local needs.
The implementation was carried out over an intensive period from June to September. Haakon led the project and travelled to the facilities to oversee implementation and local adjustments.
Thorough preparation was key to the rapid rollout.
– We had mapped out the facilities in advance and established an overall structure in Mainter. We already had the foundations of the Asset Management and workflows in place when we arrived at each facility, which made implementation much smoother, Haakon continues.
Another success factor was appointing a local system administrator at each facility. Combined with regular follow-up from the central organisation, this helped users get started quickly.
– Some facilities were up and running almost immediately, while others needed more support. We monitored usage every week and could provide assistance wherever it was needed.
For organisations operating multiple facilities of different sizes across a wide geographical area, standardisation doesn't necessarily mean everyone has to work in exactly the same way.
At Norsk Gjenvinning, a common maintenance procedure has been established, with basic requirements applying to all facilities. Beyond that, features and workflows can be adapted to each site's specific operations.
Another valued feature of Mainter is the ability to grant facilities read-only access to each other's environments.
– When we see that one facility has developed effective routines, we can use them as examples of best practice. This allows us to share experiences and ways of working across the organisation.
After just a few months of using Mainter, several improvements are already noticeable. At a central level, Haakon reports much better visibility into the company's equipment fleet. Information about machinery, equipment age and operating hours is now available for monitoring and planning.
At the facilities, maintenance teams have gained a clearer overview of their work, and collaboration between production and maintenance has improved. One example is the routine operator maintenance carried out on facility equipment.
– Documentation and completion of routine maintenance have never been as good as they are now. We follow up on the work every week and are achieving completion rates of between 80% and 100%.
It is still too early to measure long-term effects and maintenance costs, but the company is now building the maintenance history needed to support a more preventive approach.
With the first implementation phase completed, Norsk Gjenvinning continues to develop how it uses Mainter. The company is exploring a Power BI integration to improve KPI monitoring and reporting. It is also looking into using Mainter for vehicle inspections, digital checklists and equipment subject to mandatory inspections.
In the longer term, the ambition is to replace four to five existing systems with Mainter and bring more workflows together within the same CMMS platform.
Looking back on the first few months, Haakon says the speed of adoption and the positive response from employees have been particularly encouraging.
– I was surprised by how quickly we managed to get everyone using the system. In a large organisation, there's always some scepticism when new systems are introduced, but we've received a lot of positive feedback.
His advice to other companies planning a similar implementation is to start simple, establish a common structure and involve local champions who can help drive adoption.
– We now have much better overall control of our equipment fleet. Most importantly, we have the foundation in place to keep improving our maintenance operations, Haakon concludes.
Editor's note: Since the initial rollout, Mainter has also been implemented across 10 logistics departments within Norsk Gjenvinning.
Norsk Gjenvinning's rollout of Mainter demonstrates how a common framework and dedicated local system administrators can enable efficient implementation across multiple facilities simultaneously.
Looking to increase operator-led maintenance and establish consistent maintenance workflows across your organisation? Discover Mainter with a free demo.