THE BLUE PRINT
  • Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Supply Solutions
    • Expert Consultants
    • Industrial Services
    • Safety
    • Compliance & Sustainability
    • Supplier Insights
    • Engineering
  • Webinars
    • Meet the Experts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Supply Solutions
    • Expert Consultants
    • Industrial Services
    • Safety
    • Compliance & Sustainability
    • Supplier Insights
    • Engineering
  • Webinars
    • Meet the Experts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
Search

Finding ways to stop downtime before it happens

February 11, 2022
By Heath Hazard, VP of Sales
Employees vending items from machine
Before diving into the weeds on this, let’s start with a definition. What is downtime? In most environments, downtime refers to any period when production is stopped. Sometimes downtime is intentional, but in many cases it’s unplanned and a result of supply chain issues.

Three common examples would be:
  1. Insufficient safety-stock levels
  2. Unexpected changes in customer demand
  3. Unforeseeable events like a natural disaster or pandemic

​Regardless of the cause, the result can often be catastrophic not only in terms of lost revenue and profits because of production being halted, but also in terms of your customers (or partners) losing confidence and trust, which obviously could lead to lost business or clients altogether.
​
How can we prevent downtime?
There are various ways to stop downtime, but most important is improving your visibility regarding inventory levels (as well as purchasing and disbursement processes).

When you can introduce automation to these processes, you are able to create data points. Data points empower you to transition from being reactive to proactive, and in some cases even predictive.

This doesn’t mean you need to stockpile a bunch of inventories to prevent downtime, it means automating these parts of your supply chain to allow you to see trends, more accurately forecast, and set alerts that enable you to become more agile by always being one step ahead.

With most systems, these data points can be visible to both you and your supplier (when using their technology), which allows for your partner to assist with these activities and help avoid stockouts without your profits suffering due to excess inventory levels.


Employee holding parts from bins

How can Fastenal help?

Fastenal can serve as that partner. Over the past 55 years, we’ve transformed from an industrial distributor to an industry-leading supply chain partner that offers a suite of solutions to shorten our client’s supply chains, which helps safeguard against downtime.

We can create a digital footprint within your facilities through a robust offering of supply chain solutions including e-business, inventory vending, point-of-use technologies, or even a dedicated labor program.

Each of these programs serve as a part of an end-to-end solution that allows us to help you solve problems, operate more productively, avoid downtime, and ultimately, achieve your business goals.
Subscribe today!

Looking for help?

I’m always game to talk about how people can avoid downtime. If you want to know more about stopping downtime before it happens, just email me at [email protected]. 
​
Vertical Divider

Talk with our experts

Reach out to our experts at 
[email protected].

​Like what you're seeing here? Subscribe to the Blue Print for 
FREE and get the magazine sent right to your address.
Subscribe

​Got feedback? Email us at
theblueprint@fastenal.com
Company Information
Fastenal.com
About Us
​
Accessibility
​
Blue Lane Freight
Careers
ESG
Investor Relations
Legal Information
Privacy Statement
Social Responsibility
Vehicles for Sale
Support
Contact Us
Customer Support
Find a Branch
​International Orders
​
Certification Library
Services & Solutions
​Website Feedback
Promotions & Publications
Help & Support
Marketing Information
Fastenal Branding
Fastenal Brands
​
Partnerships in Action
​
​Press Room
​NHL Partnership
​
RFK Racing Partnership
Supplier Partners
Associated Websites
Av-Tech Industries
BK5K
Cardinal Fastener
​Fastenal Brazil
​Fastenal Canada
Fastenal China
Fastenal Europe
Fastenal Mexico
Holo-Krome
​Innova Supply Chain Solutions 
Mansco
Spensall
Stay Connected
Stay In The Know
Sign up for the latest deals and our free magazine.
Sign Up
Got Feedback?
Email us!
WHERE INDUSTRY MEETS INNOVATION
Copyright © 2025 Fastenal Company. All Rights Reserved.
  • Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Supply Solutions
    • Expert Consultants
    • Industrial Services
    • Safety
    • Compliance & Sustainability
    • Supplier Insights
    • Engineering
  • Webinars
    • Meet the Experts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us