How strategic maintenance strengthens industry

Behind every well-functioning industry lies a strategic maintenance programme, yet maintenance itself is rarely in the spotlight. And according to Maria Stockefors, CEO of Svenskt Underhåll, the Swedish Maintenance Association, it’s time to give maintenance the place it deserves.
– Maintenance is the key to both sustainability and profitability, Maria says.

With a strong focus on bringing the industry together, influencing public opinion and promoting sustainability, innovation and skills supply, Svenskt Underhåll is working to change the image of maintenance from a necessary evil to a strategic resource contributing to energy efficiency, competitiveness and climate goals. At the same time, the industry faces major challenges, not least in attracting new generations to the profession.

– I think we need to be better at communicating what we actually contribute: that maintenance is not a boring industrial environment, but is about social benefit, sustainability and climate goals. This is something that can attract more people, especially young people and women, to our profession, Maria says.

In her role as CEO of the national organisation Svenskt Underhåll (Swedish Maintenance), Maria is a driving force in changing the way maintenance work is viewed. She sees it as an investment rather than a cost. An investment that not only ensures industrial efficiency, but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of society – something that is also a central part of the Swedish Maintenance Fair, Underhållsmässan 2026.

– Maintenance departments need to get better at stretching themselves and having their own strategic agenda, elevating it to management level. It’s all about showing how maintenance can contribute to sustainability goals and setting its own standards. We need to be better at communicating our needs and demonstrating our role as an equal partner to production in companies through strategic maintenance, she says.

Skills supply – the big challenge

One of the biggest challenges for the maintenance profession is to secure enough skills for the future. It is not just about attracting new generations, but also about upskilling and re-skilling existing employees.

– At Svenskt Underhåll, we believe in letting people learn as they go along, rather than everyone taking three or five-year programmes. These opportunities are important for the industry but need to be increased to meet industry’s demand for human resources with the right skills. So it’s also about offering customised training, preferably together with partners, to meet industry’s needs, Maria adds.

Svenskt Underhåll is actively working to influence the education system. This includes cooperation with the Swedish National Agency for Education and other players in education to ensure that maintenance has a natural place in vocational training.

Technology and innovation are the future

While the maintenance profession is struggling with a skills shortage, there are great opportunities in new technologies. Digitalisation, AI and sensors can develop and change the way maintenance is planned and carried out, but Maria Stockefors stresses that technology is a tool, not an end in itself.

– We are very humbled by this. There is a huge need and potential, for example, to use sensors and collect data to see where it has the greatest impact. This can increase the value of maintenance work and companies’ long-term competitiveness, but this requires resources and investment.

Sustainability starts with maintenance

Maintenance also plays a key role in working towards climate goals and resource efficiency. With strategic planning, industry can not only extend the lifetime of its machines and systems, but also reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

– Sustainability is about using the right tools and planning maintenance in the right way. With good planning and preparation, we can avoid costly stoppages and ensure that resources are used efficiently, Maria says.

Svenskt Underhåll works to put sustainability at the top of the agenda, not only through communications activity but also by supporting its members in implementing sustainable maintenance strategies.

The Swedish Maintenance Fair – an important meeting place for industry

As part of its efforts to highlight the importance of maintenance, Svenskt Underhåll is a partner of Underhållsmässan, the Swedish Maintenance Fair. This event brings together companies, suppliers and academia to exchange ideas, share knowledge and put the issues of the future on the agenda.

– Underhållsmässan is a very important meeting place where suppliers and companies can meet and exchange experiences. We’re also seeking to make the industry more attractive by appealing to young people and highlighting the social benefits of what we do, Maria Stockefors says.

By pursuing initiatives such as seminars, workshops and awards such as Maintenance Manager of the Year, Svenskt Underhåll is working to strengthen the status of the maintenance function and attract more people to the profession.

Looking ahead: Collaboration and innovation

Maria Stockefors believes that the future of maintenance lies in combining traditional methods with new technology and working across industry boundaries. She sees great opportunities for Sweden to become a leader in the field but believes that it requires industry to commit to making long-term investments.

– It’s all about working together. The maintenance profession needs to work together to share resources, experiences and solutions. It’s the only way to meet the major challenges while seizing the huge opportunities offered by new technologies.

Read more about Underhållsmässan here.