Hose management is critical at manufacturing facilities, especially in plants using chemicals in their processes. Often, monitoring these assets can be challenging in day-to-day plant maintenance. OnGuard® Asset Management Services, offered through local distributorships under the family of Singer Equities, provides a hose management solution to test, tag and track customers' hose assets.
"We see the OnGuard Asset Management program as a valuable partnership between the facility and our team," said Pete Haberbosch, vice president of business development at SBP Holdings. "We understand through experience many of the challenges end-users have with hose assets.
"Our partnership starts with a live meeting at the customer's location," Haberbosch said. "An OnGuard hose specialist will conduct a facility walkthrough with each new customer, inspecting hoses and hose applications to point out potential problem areas or issues such as incorrectly applied hoses. A report is then generated highlighting what was found in the initial inspection.
"Customers most often begin the use of our system on new assets. When new hoses are ordered from our distribution locations, they can be immediately entered into the OnGuard asset database. This allows us to track the installation date as well as an inspection/maintenance date requested by the customer, which is typically once per year. Our team of OnGuard distributors offers a variety of hose products, including premier, domestically manufactured industrial hose and fittings."
Other OnGuard customers have requested the inspection and tracking of all hose assets currently in use. This is done by inviting the OnGuard team to enter the user's facility to test the hose assets and tag them with an asset ID before entering them into the online system. On-site testing requires hoses to be removed and an area set up in the facility to perform the testing.
When customers require help troubleshooting current hose assemblies that are not holding up or performing as desired, knowledgeable hose application specialists will provide insight into the best options available.
With the OnGuard asset management system tracking each hose, customers can choose to be notified via email to periodically remind them to inspect the assets. Automatic email notifications can be customized to meet individual needs. For example, customers can be notified 90 days in advance of scheduled maintenance or a customer-specified end-service date.
"Customers describe several advantages of using OnGuard hose management services," Haberbosch said. "One is satisfying internal plant facility requirements, such as ISO or plant-specific regulations. Another benefit is the cost savings. For example, the system keeps track of each hose and provides data to highlight 'repeat offenders,' allowing the end-user to find problem hoses costing the plant time and money."
The OnGuard distributor network offers locations throughout the U.S. for in-person visits and assistance, but when there isn't a location nearby, Haberbosch said OnGuard customer service still has a close, local feel.
For more information, visit www.Onguardhose.com or call (877) 483-6577.
