Case: KST Turbine Components: “Qualiyspeedservice” as Competitive Strategy

Abstract

Sometimes it happens that a complete machine standstill occurs in a power plant because a special component, perhaps a shaft, has broken or been damaged. The cost of such a standstill is high and therefore the pressure to supply this high precision component in a very short time is even greater. However, it is usually impossible to source high quality components for gas or steam turbines from active inventory. They have to be manufactured as individual items according to customer requirements. Due to quality conditions, special materials are needed with certain specifications which must be provided by a few selected specialized suppliers. This alone takes up more time than any power plant operations manager facing machine standstill would want.