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utILIty WEEK | 22nd - 28th January 2016 | 25 construct what will be Scotland's biggest ever wastewater tunnel. The 1,000 tonne, 180m-long TBM reached a key stage recently when the cutting head was put in place at the front of the machine and the factory test was conducted. The TBM will be brought in several parts from Germany to Scotland and re-assembled before the tunnelling proper begins. The Shieldhall Tunnel is expected to be completed by about the end of 2017. If you have an asset or project you would like to see featured in this slot, email: paul.newton@fav-house.com Operations & Assets U tilities companies have ongoing maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) requirements and processes that aid the smooth supply of ser- vices. The penalties associated with failing to deliver these services can be major, therefore the risks and cost implications attached to choosing the wrong MRO supplier can be significant. There are five key areas of optimisation which create the efficiencies that translate to savings. One of these is gaining the buy-in from all stakehold- ers involved in the process and applying joined-up thinking to achieve the best possible savings. This was an exercise that served RS well in the case of our relationship with a major utilities organisation. The processes they had in place were not allowing them to get the most from their supplier relationships or achieve the full benefits potential. The two main issues affecting this; first, the use of an electronic file to obtain information and pricing for all their orders. This led to multiple invoice errors. Working with the client and including all stakeholders in all of the meetings helped develop a solution that met their requirements and a process allowing us to get under the skin of the organisation, strengthening our rela- tionship. Subsequently, we developed a solution that gained commitment at all levels across the organisa- tion and which achieved 99 per cent compliance. Involving all stakeholders was vital to the success of the proposed solutions. It allowed us to under- stand any objections, resolve issues and get stake- holders on side to work with us to negate any further objections from others in the organisation. The stake- holders themselves are the best people to remove obstacles, and if they are all involved and can see and appreciate how their part of the process affects all the other parts of the business, they are far more likely to work together as a "virtual team" to achieve a common goal and a successful result. Applying an innovative approach to product procurement and the processes around it can mean the difference between efficiency and inefficiency. The cost of inefficiency is notable for all compa- nies for which MRO is a requirement, so opening eyes to a new process is the only way forward regardless of how difficult that implementation is perceived to be. Jarn Gill, head of corporate sales, RS Components Visit: letstalkmro.com EXPErt VIEW Jarn Gill, rS componentS Want MRO efficiencies? Choose the right suppliers Utilities need to put the right processes in place to allow them to get the most from their supplier relationships and achieve the full benefits.