Burris Logistics has an 84-year history of operating a network of frozen food warehousing and distribution systems in the Eastern United States. Burris offers a range of services including Supply Chain Analysis, Freight Management, Consolidation Programs, Warehousing and Inventory Management. The Lakeland, Florida plant handles product refrigeration in its 120,000 square foot facility. Doug Lillie joined Burris as Plant Engineer after fifteen years’ experience in refrigeration within the Juice Processing industry. Brad Edwards, Chief Forklift Mechanic, began his career repairing engines in the marine industry for 20 years prior to joining Burris in 2007.

Before eMaint CMMS, warehouse maintenance was documented in cumbersome spreadsheets. Key features that Burris required from a CMMS were a centralized database of all parts and equipment, a complete history of worked performed, meter-based preventive maintenance schedules with timed notifications of work due, and labor tracking to help manage overtime. Measuring failure rates of a new fluorescent lighting system was also desired to ensure vendor quality and warranty. Most importantly, Burris needed to comply with OSHA Process Safety Management standards which consist of fourteen elements requiring specific documentation.

Corporate had elected to implement eMaint CMMS at select locations in 2009 and later rolled it out to five additional plants in 2011. The team at Burris established equipment records and PM schedules in eMaint for all compressors, valves, condensers, forklifts, and forklift parts. To meet Process Safety Management compliance, the team also defined tasks and automated email reminders to alert when OSHA documentation needs to be updated, when Safety Team Meetings are scheduled, and when safety-related PMs need to be performed. In addition, the system aids in the OSHA Mechanical Integrity Element by providing specific information on all equipment, manufacturer recommended specifications, and inspections based on asset type. For example, ammonia detectors in the facility are set up for either monthly or quarterly inspections, based on detector type, while refrigeration equipment follows meter-based schedules.

Doug L., Plant Engineer, Burris Logistics