Or perhaps we should have titled this, "Applications not in use--installed spares."

Surge tanks, spare pumps, the list can go on.  Older mills, especially, are prone to have installed spares, just sitting and waiting for something to happen.

We'll challenge you today to think of installed spares as a management failure.  After all, if you are operating with modern management tools, are installed spares really needed?

Today's control schemes should reduce or eliminate large surge tanks and other in-process inventory devices.

Today's maintenance systems should almost completely obviate the need for installed spares.

Tying up capital in idle equipment or in excessive real estate can be avoided today.  What do you think?  Give us an example (other than safety or fire protection) where you can justify installed spares.