FUSION Issue 1 2026 DIGITAL SINGLE PAGES - Flipbook - Page 15
Di昀昀erent environments
demand di昀昀erent thinking
The assumption that fewer product lines always
equal better control is increasingly outdated.
Modern operations require specification
strategies that reflect real world conditions
rather than theoretical efficiency.
In marine environments, this may mean
differentiating consumables based on exposure
level, whether work is carried out indoors
or outdoors, and how long surfaces remain
untreated between stages. In paintshops, it
often involves aligning consumables more
closely with specific coating systems, airflow
conditions, and contamination risk profiles.
This does not mean abandoning control or
simplicity. It means applying control intelligently.
Clear specification boundaries, defined use cases,
and disciplined process integration matter more
than minimising SKU counts.
Process first, product second
High-performing operations increasingly view
consumables as part of a broader process
system. Selection decisions are made alongside
considerations such as storage, handling,
sequencing, environmental control, and
operator training.
When consumables are specified with the
process in mind, performance becomes more
predictable. Waste is reduced not because
products are cheaper, but because they
are used correctly and consistently. Quality
improves because the process is designed to
support the material rather than fight against it.
This shift also supports resilience. As skills
shortages continue to affect the marine
and coatings industries, reliance on informal
knowledge and experience becomes a risk. Welldefined, environment-appropriate specifications
help reduce reliance on individual judgment and
lead to more repeatable outcomes.
Rethinking specification as a
strategic decision
One-size-fits-all strategies are appealing on
paper, but they rarely reflect the operational
realities of marine and paintshop environments.
As manufacturers and refit operations face
increasing pressure on quality, cost, compliance,
and sustainability, consumable specification
needs to be treated as a strategic decision
rather than an administrative one.
The most effective organisations are those
willing to accept that complexity already
exists on the shopfloor. The challenge is
not to eliminate it artificially, but to manage
it intelligently through better-aligned
specifications, clearer processes, and a deeper
understanding of how the environment shapes
performance.
In marine and paintshop operations, fit-forpurpose is no longer optional. It is fundamental
to quality, safety, and long-term efficiency.
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