The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance in 2025 and Beyond

93% of warehouse and distribution centers view their heavy-equipment maintenance processes as insufficient and costly to their bottom-line.²

What you’ll learn from this article:

The shift from reactive to preventive maintenance as a strategic necessity for warehouse efficiency and uptime
The measurable benefits of preventive maintenance, including reduced downtime, extended equipment life and lower costs
The role of preventive maintenance in improving compliance, safety and long-term ROI for material handling systems

Preventive maintenance is a proactive approach to maintaining equipment by regularly inspecting, detecting and rectifying potential issues before they become major problems. This allows maximum efficiency, uptime and ROI.

Specifically, for material handling equipment in warehouses and distribution centers, preventive maintenance plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of conveyors, sorters, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), forklifts and pallet jacks.

By implementing regular maintenance checks, companies can avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs, ensuring that their equipment runs efficiently and reliably. This approach minimizes unplanned downtime, extends the lifespan of the equipment and maintains high productivity levels, which are essential for meeting supply chain demands and customer expectations.

Why Preventive Maintenance Matters More Than Ever

Reduced Downtime:

Unplanned downtime can cost millions. Facilities relying on reactive maintenance experience 3.3x more downtime¹, 16x more defects¹ and 2.8x more lost sales due to defects¹. Preventive maintenance helps reduce these disruptions.

Extended Equipment Life:

Regular preventive maintenance can extend equipment life by 20–40%². This means fewer replacements and lower capital expenditures.

Cost Savings:

Reactive maintenance costs up to 2-5x more than a planned approach². Preventive maintenance lowers repair costs and inventory waste¹.

Enhanced Compliance:

Risks of non-compliance can be reduced by 66% with timely inspections and maintenance². This protects your workforce, reduces liability and maintains quality.

Honeywell Intelligrated’s Preventive Maintenance Services offer customized, comprehensive maintenance plans tailored to your equipment and operational needs. Our certified engineers ensure maximum system efficiency, uptime and ROI. Invest in preventive maintenance to protect your assets, reduce costs and enhance safety.

Learn more at https://automation.honeywell.com/us/en/services/warehouse-automation/field-services.

References

Thomas, D.S. & Weiss, B.A., Economics of Manufacturing Machinery Maintenance: A Survey and Analysis of U.S. Costs and Benefits, NIST Advanced Manufacturing Series, No. 100-34, June 2020. Available at: https://doi.org/10.6028/nist.ams.100-34 [Accessed 20 June 2025].
MaintWorld, Why Preventative Maintenance Is a Vital Part of Any Businesses Maintenance Strategy, 21 August 2023. Available at: https://www.maintworld.com/Partner-Articles/Why-Preventative-Maintenance-is-a-Vital-Part-of-Any-Businesses-Maintenance-Strategy [Accessed 20 June 2025].