Machinery Lubrication

Machinery Lubrication September-October 2021

Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation

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3 Red Flags in Lubricant Supplier Agreements Condition Monitoring, Lubricant Analysis & Troubleshooting LUBRICANT SELECTION Factor: S2P Lubricant suppliers play an important role in asset management. A good supplier will ensure that your needs are met, and the right products are delivered consistently and on time. But like most businesses, a lubrication suppli- er's top priority is their bottom line. at's not to say that suppliers are trying to rip you off, but sometimes they may be selling you things you don't actually need. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with your lube supplier to ensure you're getting the products you need at a fair price. 1. Pressure for a "handshake" deal or lack of detail in an agreement If agreements are not made with explicit and written documentation, there might be concerns about the validity of claims or promises made. Every detail of the lubricants provided should be clearly defined. Lubricant suppliers often offer training as well — this can be good, as long as the training isn't biased. e best arrangements for supplier agreements provide clear technical details, and if training is provided, it's better if it is created by an unbi- ased third party. 2. Focus on price If the language of the agreement is focused on price comparisons and discounts, or if you're pressured to buy in bulk, there might be a conflict of interest. e primary goal of the lubricant is to ensure that we can maintain the integrity of our equipment and meet or exceed our reliability goals. Don't get me wrong, cost savings are a part of this decision, but if I spend 25% more on lubricants that last 50-75% longer, that higher initial cost may actually translate into a cost savings for the year. A good lubricant supplier will focus on getting you the right lubricants and then focus on price. 3. Technical expertise lacks clarity Many lubricant technical spec- ifications are a blend of hard data (viscosity, additives, base oil type, operating temperature range, etc.) along with some marketing language that describes the unique nature of the lubricant formulation and common applications. e lubricant supplier agreement should provide some further data validating expecta- tions on lubricant properties, quality and delivery: • Cleanliness and dryness • Delivery times Learn More: noria.com/ascend/ Factor: S2P — Lubricant Supplier Selection Level: Platform (P) Stage: Lubricant Selection About: Selecting a lubricant supplier should be based on a methodology which considers fundamental compliance factors such as performance requirements, lubricant quality and service, troubleshooting support, technological advancement, innova - tion, service, delivery capacity and price. More about this ASCEND ™ Factor 4 | September - October 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com Jeremie Edwards | Noria Corporation

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