Current studies show without a doubt that predictive maintenance, which utilizes data in the right way, can bring the owner more than it takes – maintenance is an investment that pays for itself many times over.
With new technology, predictive maintenance is no longer just optimization in theory or plans. It is up-to-date, precise and efficient.

With the help of sensors, artificial intelligence and analytics, it is possible to continuously monitor the condition of machines and equipment, address problems before they turn into expensive downtime and extend the life cycle of production equipment at the lowest possible cost.

Increasing the competitiveness of industry is no longer limited to just production volumes or price optimization – maintenance is the resource that separates the winners from the losers.
However, technology is not the only resource. The revolution in industrial maintenance is also reflected in the development of the circular economy. Regulation, innovation and new business models are completely changing the way maintenance is done.

As our journalist Mia Heiskanen writes in her Ecomondo trade fair report, the circular economy is no longer an emerging trend – it is accelerating rapidly and changing the entire industrial field.

Predictive maintenance is increasingly becoming a service where resource optimization, material reuse and comprehensive life cycle thinking are seamlessly intertwined.

Machines and equipment are no longer just performance items made of iron and electronics. They are part of a complex ecosystem where foresight, intelligent data processing and innovative maintenance models decide who stays ahead of the competition.

Robots, drones and other solutions familiar from military technology have found their way into the management of factories and production facilities – they are no longer a futuristic addition, but an everyday occurrence that enhances maintenance and brings visibility that was previously impossible.

This issue offers two insightful articles on the growing role of drones in maintenance.

Properly managed maintenance is therefore not just an economic necessity. It is a strategic choice that is reflected in the continuity of production, resource efficiency and competitive advantage.

It opens up new business opportunities, supports the growth of the circular economy and gives industry the tools to respond to changes in both technology and markets quickly and flexibly.

Maintenance is changing – and the change is radical. Now is the time to elevate maintenance to the position it deserves: a resource that supports business, generates revenue and builds the future. Every industrial professional who understands this can turn the power of maintenance into their own competitive advantage.

Jari Kostiainen Editor-in-Chief, Maintworld