What is Early Equipment Management (EEM) in TPM?

Early Equipment Management (EEM) in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) refers to the approach focused on the design and acquisition of new equipment to ensure that it is more reliable, maintainable, and efficient from the outset. This concept emphasizes that by involving maintenance teams in the early stages of equipment development, organizations can better anticipate and mitigate potential issues that may arise once the equipment is operational.

EEM promotes collaboration among different departments, such as engineering, maintenance, and production, helping to integrate maintenance considerations into the design process so that equipment can achieve higher operational efficiency and lower lifecycle costs. The ultimate goal is to ensure that when new equipment is brought into the operation, it is optimized for effective use and maintenance, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.

This proactive approach contrasts with merely addressing issues after the fact or treating maintenance as a secondary aspect of equipment management, which can lead to increased costs and operational difficulties.