The machine builder of the future is a strategic partner in asset management
From possession to use: the rise of servitisation
Machine manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce (with aircraft engines) and Canon (with printers) pioneered ‘Machine-as-a-Service’ (MaaS) models years ago, where customers pay for performance (e.g. flight hours or copies made) rather than buying the machine itself. This trend is now spreading to less capital-intensive machines, such as packaging machines and weighing systems. There are several reasons for this, of which the following two stand out the most:
Sustainability pressure: CSRD requires companies to account for the complete life cycle of their products (Scope 1-3). Machine builders who retain ownership of their assets can ensure circularity by reusing parts or recycling machines.
Financial flexibility: Customers avoid significant initial investments this way, while machine builders generate stable revenues through service contracts. However, this requires a greater balance sheet and more attention to risk management.
Iso 55000 as a guide
The revised ISO 55000:2024 emphasises the importance of efficiency, sustainability and risk management in asset management. For machine builders, this translates into seven steps leading to maturity:
- Standardisation and documentation
Machines are delivered using standardised FMECA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) analyses and maintenance protocols. This reduces complexity and increases interoperability, as with modular designs. - Maintenance guarantee and availability
Components remain available throughout the life of the assets. - Service-oriented organisational model
Corrective and preventive maintenance is integrated into service contracts. - Preventive control via IoT and AI
Sensors and digital twins assemble the health of machines in real time. - Performance-driven management
Technical uptime, energy efficiency, and product quality are measured. For example, Rolls-Royce links engine data to flight performance to optimise performance. - Lifecycle feedback to design
Data from the field (e.g. wear patterns) is used to improve future machines. - Ownership and circular contracts
Machine builders retain ownership and take back assets for reuse.
Digitalisation is the backbone of this transformation
Without advanced digitisation, this transition is impossible. Crucial elements here are:
- Platform thinking: Uniform interfaces and interchangeable parts, like most carmakers currently do.
- Data analytics: Tools such as AI solutions predict failures and optimise maintenance.
- Metaverse applications: Virtual training and simulations, such as with digital twins, speed up implementation.
Disruptie en kansen
This shift lowers the barrier to entry for innovative players. Startups can quickly gain market share through pay-per-use models without heavy investment. At the same time, sectors are consolidating with larger and more prominent players combining standardisation and service.
Machine builders who embrace this transformation will be at the forefront of a sustainable economy. By retaining ownership, leveraging data, and using ISO 55000 as a compass, they will create added value for customers and the planet. The shift from selling machines to delivering performance requires a fundamental recalibration of the business model.
