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Exploring MRO inventory: Definitions and examples
The aviation industry’s ability to connect the world hinges on the efficient maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of its assets. From ensuring the airworthiness of aircrafts to maintaining safety standards, MRO inventory plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem. Understanding "what is MRO" and leveraging advanced MRO inventory management solutions are essential for operational excellence. This article explores the definition of MRO inventory, its importance in aviation, practical MRO inventory examples, and insights into the role of MRO suppliers.
What is MRO inventory?
Aviation MRO inventory encompasses all materials, components, tools, and consumables essential for the maintenance and repair of aircrafts. Unlike production materials or finished goods, MRO inventory focuses on ensuring operations run smoothly and regulatory compliance is maintained. Some MRO inventory examples include:
- Spare parts: Critical components like engines, landing gear, and avionics for scheduled maintenance or emergency repairs.
- Consumables: Items like lubricants, adhesives, and fasteners used during routine upkeep.
- Testing equipment: Diagnostic tools to monitor and maintain systems such as hydraulics and electronics.
- Safety equipment: Oxygen masks, life vests, and fire extinguishers for crew and passenger safety.
Given the complexities of aviation operations, robust MRO inventory management is a necessity.
The importance of MRO suppliers
Poor aviation MRO management can have costly consequences. Supply chain disruptions, such as delays or shortages, can derail maintenance schedules, and even a small oversight might lead to cancelled flights, operational losses, or, more critically, safety incidents. These issues affect operational efficiency, passenger schedules, and profitability, underscoring how vital MRO suppliers are in ensuring smooth operations.
Being the backbone of aviation, MRO suppliers must ensure safety, operational efficiency, compliance, and extended aircraft lifespan. Through tasks like inspections, maintenance, repairs, and overhauls, they keep aircraft flightworthy and cost-efficient for operators. By maintaining regulatory compliance and passenger safety, MRO suppliers enable airlines to achieve the extraordinary feat of transporting nearly 5 billion people daily, with each aircraft completing an average of 2,080 Earth circumnavigations over its lifespan.
Effective MRO supplier collaboration
The use of collaborative software is transforming procurement, driven by the need for enhanced visibility, efficiency, and responsiveness in a highly regulated and complex industry. Leveraging these platforms, MRO operations streamline communication and ensure real-time access to inventory data, reducing risks of overstocking or stock-outs.
Key benefits include integrating inventory systems with maintenance schedules, minimising aircraft downtime, and ensuring parts are available precisely when needed. Digital tools like cloud-based solutions and RFID technologies enhance tracking and automation, fostering seamless collaboration among suppliers, buyers, and operators. This integration addresses unpredictable demands and supply chain disruptions common in aviation.
Leading MRO suppliers specialise in categories like avionics, hydraulics, or structural components. Successful collaboration is essential, relying on strategies such as:
- Strategic partnerships: Long-term relationships for reliability.
- Vendor certification: Regulatory-compliant suppliers.
- Cost management: Negotiating terms to balance cost and quality.
As airlines increasingly rely on advanced technologies, the use of collaborative software in MRO inventory management not only meets regulatory requirements but also contributes to cost reduction and operational agility.
MRO inventory management solutions
Advanced MRO inventory management solutions are centred around leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and optimise aviation operations. These innovations not only enable MROs to maintain high standards of safety and reliability but also actively support sustainability goals, driving the aviation industry towards a more environmentally responsible future. Key features include:
- Smart equipment and IoT technology enable continuous performance tracking and maintenance forecasting, allowing airlines to address issues before they impact operations.
- Augmented reality (AR) is becoming a vital tool for technicians, overlaying diagrams and instructions directly onto machinery. This simplifies repair tasks and enhances training.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) analyses performance data to predict maintenance needs, optimise operations, minimise downtime, and enhance efficiency through proactive issue identification.
- Generative AI (GenAI): By acting as a "copilot," GenAI assists technicians with troubleshooting, improving supply chain processes, simplifying data-heavy tasks like managing technical manuals, boosting reliability, and enhancing operational efficiency.
- 3D printing: Additive manufacturing (3D printing) enables rapid, on-site production of aircraft components, minimising lead times, reducing reliance on traditional supply chains, and allowing for customised parts production.
- Sustainability initiatives focus on repairing parts over replacing them, conserving resources, reducing waste, and fostering efficient, data-driven MRO practices.
A survey of MRO organisations with high digital maturity within the aerospace sector revealed that 50% reported revenue gains over 5% and a 10% productivity boost, while 25% saw maintenance costs drop by 10–20%.
How can Infosys BPM help?
Backed by advanced analytics and global expertise, Infosys BPM empowers seamless MRO processes, driving aviation efficiency and sustainability. From Digital Control Towers providing real-time inventory insights to Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for reducing manual effort and boosting accuracy, and Gen AI to drive intelligent decision-making, we deliver measurable efficiency. Discover more about how Infosys BPM drives transformation in aviation MRO operations.
