Implementation of total productive maintenance in food industry: a case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to adopt the total productive maintenance (TPM) in the food industry and especially in bakery products. The paper aims to develop a methodology for increasing production rate, improving the quality of the products and providing a healthier and safer work environment. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on analysing the reliability data of an automatic production line. It is divided into four steps, whose aims are to bring forth improved maintenance policies of the mechanical equipment. Also, the continuous and thorough inspection of the production process is achieved through measurements of the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Findings The goal of development methodology is to bring competitive advantages, such as: increasing the productivity; improving the quality of the products; and reducing the cost production of the line. Practical implications The development methodology in the food industry increases the production rate, improving the quality of the products and providing a healthier and safer work environment. It can be useful to guide food product machinery manufacturers and bread and bakery products manufacturers to improve the design and operation of the production lines that they manufacture and operate. Originality/value This paper presents the implementation of TPM in a pizza production line and, using certain assumptions, the generalization of the results in bakery production lines.