Contents
What is considered a small business?
A small business is generally characterized by its annual revenue, number of employees, and, in some cases, its sector of activity. In Brazil, the main condition for classifying small businesses is established by Sebrae and other entities, such as Complementary Law No. 123/2006, also known as the National Statute of Micro and Small Enterprises, which defines:
- Microenterprise (ME): Annual gross revenue of up to BRL 360,000.
- Small Business (EPP): Annual gross revenue above BRL 360,000 and up to BRL 4.8 million.
The General Law also provides for:
- Creation of the Simples Nacional tax regime;
- Reduction of bureaucracy;
- Access to credit and markets;
- Tax relief and incentives;
- Incentives for formalization, among other points.
This law is fundamental for strengthening micro and small enterprises in Brazil, offering a more favorable environment for their development.
So far, we have discussed the legal definitions of micro and small enterprises. However, for their success, administrators and managers must understand the importance of properly caring for their assets and machinery. Without them, the final consumer will not receive the product, which depends on the proper functioning of the machines.
This is where we address a topic we value greatly: maintenance. Regardless of company size, asset maintenance must be considered, as poor maintenance can lead a small business to economic failure, since machinery can consume a large portion of capital if not properly cared for.
What are the maintenance challenges for small businesses?
Just like large companies with complex systems and many assets, small businesses also face specific challenges, often related to limited resources and structure. The main challenges include:
- Limited resources: Small businesses often operate with tighter budgets, which can make it difficult to invest in preventive maintenance. As a result, they may rely on corrective and reactive maintenance, which is more expensive in the long run.
- Lack of specialized labor: Due to budget constraints, small companies often cannot maintain teams dedicated exclusively to maintenance. Employees frequently perform multiple roles, including maintenance, without sufficient technical knowledge, which can negatively impact equipment lifespan.
- Planning difficulties: As regular readers know, management tools are essential for planning actions. Small businesses often lack adequate systems and tools to plan and organize maintenance efficiently.
- Acquisition of parts and services: Small companies may struggle to find reliable suppliers for spare parts and maintenance services. They also lack the purchasing power of large companies to obtain discounts or service priority, which can delay interventions and cause production stoppages.
- Lack of maintenance history: The absence of management systems makes it difficult to maintain reliable maintenance records. This hinders accurate decision-making, as data may be incomplete or inaccurate. Without historical data, generating management reports becomes nearly impossible.
The reality of maintenance in Brazil
The maintenance scenario in Brazil reflects an ongoing challenge, especially for smaller companies. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) indicate that 98% of Brazilian companies are micro and small enterprises, many of which struggle to implement robust maintenance practices due to financial and technological limitations.
The lack of proper maintenance not only impacts operational efficiency but can also lead to high corrective maintenance costs and production losses. The absence of adequate maintenance brings several significant risks:
- The lack of a preventive maintenance plan can result in unexpected machine and equipment downtime, directly affecting company profitability.
- Relying solely on corrective maintenance, usually required when preventive maintenance is not performed, tends to be more expensive and time-consuming.
- Accelerated asset deterioration may lead to more frequent replacements and increased capital costs.
Even for small businesses operating with reduced profit margins and limited resources, inadequate maintenance can be so harmful that it jeopardizes business continuity.
In sectors such as retail, mechanical workshops, and small industries, the unexpected failure of critical equipment can halt operations for days, resulting in lost revenue and customers. Therefore, maintenance must be seen as an essential investment to ensure long-term business continuity and growth.
6 maintenance strategies for small businesses
Even with limited resources, small businesses can adopt simple and effective practices to improve their maintenance processes. These strategies include:
1. Basic Preventive Maintenance
Implementing a preventive maintenance plan, even a simple one, is essential. This can be done using basic tools such as spreadsheets or physical calendars to avoid major failures and reduce corrective maintenance costs.
A well-structured basic preventive plan can be the difference between stable equipment operation and frequent unexpected breakdowns.
2. Team Training
Invest in basic and continuous training for the maintenance team, focusing on preventive maintenance practices, diagnostic techniques, and general skills. Training can be conducted internally or through affordable online courses.
Continuous employee training ensures maintenance processes evolve alongside business needs, delivering immediate returns in efficiency and reduced failures.
3. Organization and Standardization
Standardize procedures and maintain good organization in the storage of tools, parts, and maintenance-related documents. Organized environments reduce waste time and increase operational efficiency.
4. Simple Performance Indicators
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor maintenance effectiveness, such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), and the ratio of preventive versus corrective maintenance.
Even without advanced systems, tracking simple KPIs helps prioritize limited resources more effectively.
5. Use of Local Resources
Using local suppliers for parts and services can reduce costs and improve availability, strengthening operational resilience and facilitating faster problem resolution.
6. Adoption of Simple Digital Tools
Use low-cost digital tools to organize work, such as simpler and more affordable maintenance software solutions like Engeman® Starter.
Engeman® Starter: a tailored solution
Engeman® Starter was developed to meet the needs of small businesses seeking better maintenance management without compromising limited financial resources.
This version maintains essential functionalities, such as preventive maintenance organization and work order management, at a significantly reduced cost, making advanced maintenance management accessible to smaller companies.
Benefits include:
- Reliable maintenance structure
- Low investment
- Intuitive system
- Access to over 150 management reports
- Ideal solution for small and medium-sized companies
- Access from any internet-connected device
Founded in 1996, Engeman offers highly reliable services, ensuring even small businesses can benefit from efficient and tailored maintenance management.
Conclusion
Maintenance management, even with limited resources, can be improved through practical and accessible strategies. With solutions like Engeman® Starter and the application of world-class maintenance concepts, small businesses can increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and extend asset lifespan.
These practices strengthen daily operations and contribute to long-term sustainability and growth. In an economic scenario where efficiency is critical, investing in maintenance management is a strategic decision that delivers significant results, even for the smallest businesses.
Talk to our specialists and discover Engeman® Starter, the solution that brings greater reliability to your processes!
