Looking to Improve Safety? Why Maintenance and Repair Matter More Than Ever

Across technical industries, from Aerospace & Aviation to Engineering & Manufacturing, the reliability of equipment underpins safety, productivity and long-term performance. While innovation and new technology often dominate headlines, it is routine maintenance and timely repair that quietly protect people, assets and operations every day. 

For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, maintenance is not just a technical function; it is a strategic one. Well-maintained equipment lasts longer, performs more efficiently and reduces the likelihood of costly downtime or safety incidents. 

To explore this further, VHR spoke with Ryan Abbot, Associate Divisional Director at VHR, to share a market-facing perspective on why maintenance and repair should never be overlooked, and how the right people, processes and planning can help organisations strengthen safety outcomes while protecting operational continuity. 

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Why Focus on Maintenance Now?

Ryan Abbot: 
“In safety-critical industries, maintenance is not optional. It is fundamental. You can have the most advanced equipment in the world, but without consistent inspection, servicing and repair, you are increasing risk for both people and operations.” 

This perspective is supported by industry data. According to McKinsey, effective maintenance strategies can reduce equipment downtime by up to 50% and extend asset life by 20 to 40%. 

For organisations operating on tight margins, especially smaller businesses, these gains can be the difference between growth and stagnation. 

 

 

 

Maintenance as a Driver of Safety

Safety is often discussed in relation to procedures, training and compliance, but equipment condition plays an equally critical role. 

Ryan Abbot: 
“Many incidents can be traced back to wear, fatigue or overlooked faults. Preventative maintenance allows teams to identify small issues before they escalate into serious failures.” 

In the Aerospace & Aviation industry, for example, maintenance and repair operations are a cornerstone of regulatory compliance.  

The International Labour Organisation highlights that poor equipment maintenance significantly increases workplace accident risk, particularly in industrial environments.

 

Extending Equipment Life and Reducing Costs 

Replacing equipment is expensive, disruptive and often unnecessary. Regular servicing and planned repairs help organisations maximise the return on their capital investments. 

Ryan Abbot: 
“Good maintenance is about longevity. If you look after assets properly, you delay replacement cycles and improve reliability. Over time, that saves money and supports more predictable operations.” 

Deloitte reports that predictive and preventative maintenance approaches can lower maintenance costs by up to 30% while improving asset availability.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, these savings can be reinvested into skills, technology or expansion. 

 

 

 

Maintenance, Skills and People

Behind every successful maintenance strategy are the skilled professionals. Engineers, technicians and inspectors play a vital role in keeping equipment safe and operational. 

This creates ongoing demand for maintenance and repair talent across technical industries. As equipment becomes more complex, employers increasingly seek experienced professionals who understand both traditional systems and modern diagnostic tools. 

At VHR, we work with businesses globally to source skilled maintenance engineers across Aerospace & Aviation, Engineering & Manufacturing and Defence. Access to the right talent ensures maintenance programmes are not only planned but properly executed. 

Explore our Engineering & Manufacturing recruitment expertise: 
https://www.v-hr.com/sectors/engineering-and-manufacturing/  

 

A Shared Responsibility

One key theme from our conversation with Ryan Abbot was shared responsibility. 

Ryan Abbot: 
“Maintenance works best when it is part of the culture. Leadership, engineers and operators all need to value it. When everyone understands its importance, safety and performance naturally improve.” 

This mirrors wider industry thinking. IBM notes that organisations with strong maintenance cultures experience fewer unplanned outages and higher workforce engagement.

 

 

Supporting Safer, More Resilient Industries

Maintenance and repair may not always be visible, but their impact is undeniable. They protect people, extend equipment life and support sustainable business performance. 

For employers, investing in maintenance means investing in people and processes that safeguard the future. For professionals, maintenance roles offer stable, meaningful careers at the heart of critical industries. 

VHR supports clients and candidates across global technical markets, providing skilled professionals who keep operations running safely and efficiently. 

 

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