One of his most interesting facilities maintenance projects came during Fluke’s 2019 acquisition of Prüftechnik, a global leader in laser shaft alignment, condition monitoring, and nondestructive testing. As part of that acquisition, production of Prüftechnik tools and systems moved from that company’s Ismaning, Germany, home offices halfway around the world to Everett.
“For the Prüftechnik integration, we were actually moving a facility from one place on the planet to another. Obviously, the translation issue is a challenge,” Pratt said. “Also, when you take a product or a piece of equipment that’s from Germany and then you have to plug it in in Everett, they’re on a different electrical system. So, we have to supply the 50 Hz power on the factory floor.”
The Evergreen Way plant had not supplied the 50 Hz power level since a calibration team left years before. They had to create a way to support the new power demand by using a mix of generators and logistics.
“A generator actually takes power from the existing building, and then it goes through a motor, and it changes the cycle from 60 Hz to 50 Hz,” Pratt explained. “It’s just taking that power and then redistributing it and supplying it.”
Using eMaint to keep Fluke up and running
eMaint computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software is a mainstay product from Fluke Reliability, a software-focused division of Fluke. The facilities maintenance management team from parent company Fluke began using eMaint several years ago.
When Fluke employees diagnose machine issues, they fill out work order requests online sent directly to Pratt and his team. The most frequent requests his technicians encounter are related to electrical power and compressed air.
Pratt said he finds the most useful eMaint feature is “just a simple work order.” Once assigned a work order, he can write notes on the digital request and track the assignment from open to completion. Pratt also values the ability to trend activities over time within eMaint.
“That way, six months from now, we can say, ‘Oh, we’ve been spending a lot of money on this,’ or ‘We’ve been allocating a lot of resources doing that,’ and be able to improve our resource allocation,” he explained. “When you go from day to day or week to week, you just realize you’re getting led by the nose instead of by actual, real information. You’re sometimes stuck with someone’s idea of what’s important.”
Over time, trending activities within eMaint facilities maintenance software helps teams use data to gain perspective and insights on how they can improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
“Taking that information and then prioritizing [activities] helps,” Pratt continued.
For its use of eMaint to be most effective, Pratt emphasized the importance of getting the entire team trained, reaching out for support, and making sure there is buy-in from everyone.
How do you maintain facilities during a pandemic?
Pratt’s team has shifted some priorities during the pandemic, with much of Fluke’s usual office staff working from home for most of 2020 until at least mid-2021. However, production, shipping, IT, and other team members continue using Fluke facilities in person. To make sure every space is safe, Pratt prioritizes transparency.
“Communication is a priority,” he said. “Especially nowadays, where everyone has been here, there, and everywhere, instead of in the office.”
Pratt is looking forward to having those working remotely come back to the office when it is deemed safe.
“It’s going to be important to make sure everyone’s on the same page. We will have space available for everyone and just make sure that they have all the tools they need to be able to do their jobs,” he explained. “We can get back in the office in a way that can work.”
The beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 saw widespread shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Fluke’s Plastics team stepped in and developed a prototype for industrial face shields for non-medical staff at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. On top of their regular work, the Plastics team members created more than 50,000 face shields to help make providing care safer during the outbreak.
Factory space was created because of the Prüftechnik integration became available to produce the face shields, Pratt said.
“It was one of those things where they just kind of made it work,” he said. “At Plastics, they just scheduled it in. You always want to find a way, and we were able to do that as a company.”
Though the workplace looks different for now, Pratt still enjoys working with people and improving their environments.
“Whether I’m working with an individual on ergonomics or improving a whole team’s space, that’s usually my favorite. That’s a big win for me.”