Turnarounds

Turnarounds are considered the pinnacle in the field of technical maintenance. The ep-cm project management gmbh supports you in the efficient execution of this complex task, helping you to sustainably strengthen your companies' performance. Our experienced and capable specialists are at your disposal - worldwide.

The term Turnaround can take on a variety of meanings across different industries, ranging from organizational to economical to technical aspects. In the process industry, a Turnaround (also known as Shutdown, Outage, T/A or TAR) is considered the pinnacle in the field of technical maintenance. It stands for the recurrent maintenance of large-scale industrial plants.

Your distinct needs, availabilities and plant-specifics, coupled with regulatory and operational requirements lead to an individual framework. The comprehension and coordination of these aspects are at the core of our responsibilities here at ep-cm project management gmbh. You can rest assure that your Turnaround will be executed within budget and on the exact level of quality and schedule specified. Our main focus will always be on safety, health and environmental protection.

The detailed planning of every necessary stage and activity forms the basis of successful execution. In the abstract, this includes the shutdown, maintenance, inspection and repair of your process plants.

Your distinct needs, availabilities and plant-specifics, coupled with regulatory and operational requirements lead to an individual framework. The comprehension and coordination of these aspects are at the core of our responsibilities. Apart from coordinating all resources properly, the inclusion of all relevant parties leads to the success of your Turnaround.

Get to know our services in detail

Stage 1 | Joint Pre-planning

Before the actual planning stage begins, we will together work out your targets and frameworks for the turnaround. This forms the basis for all our subsequent actions.

Among the highest priority are the following factors: safe and smooth processes from both a technical and personnel standpoint, feasibility based on internal and external resources, and your distinct production and distribution cycles.

Stage 2 | Technical planning

In this stage, we deal with every task that will arise in the turnaround from a technical standpoint. Every task and activity will be systematically identified and outlined.

The operational and legal requirements will be linked with the actual circumstances, thus enabling us to create detailed work schedules. Our role will be that of an intersection between the involved parties.

Stage 3 | Scheduling

During the scheduling stage, ep-cm will optimize the workflow and lead times that were compiled during the technical planning of the previous stage. This integrates scheduling as an essential part of a proactive turnaround-management. It puts you in a position where you are able to react to possible eventualities and make adjustments before the execution stage.

For this purpose, we will map out critical and near-critical paths and develop suitable scenarios.

Stage 4 | Controlling and Management

In order to achieve the planned targets, it is important to identify, evaluate and manage every activity performed during your turnaround. At any time day or night, decision-makers need to know which activities led to which progress, and what still needs to be done.

Everyone involved needs to have access to the information relevant to them at any time, ensuring smooth and ultimately successful execution.

Stage 5 | Tendering and Procurement

ep-cm supports you in developing a coherent contract strategy during the entire tendering and purchasing process. This is of significant importance for the success of your operations.

Turnarounds in the process industry today require the involvement of several specialised contractors from all different areas. Besides price, quality and work ethic, the actual availability of these companies is a key aspect.

In times of increasing competition, the right contractors must be identified and employed on time to ensure their involvement.

Stage 6 | Contract and Claims Management

Structured, clear and usable contracts ensure the success of every venture.

This is why we believe in implementing your project- and quality-targets into the contract strategy right from the beginning. We will make sure to communicate these to all involved transparently.

We will jointly determine the right contractual form and accounting methods for each respective area. Finding the right solution comes from combining past experiences with an analysis of the specific requirements of your turnaround.

Stage 7 | Coordination, Supervision and Construction Management

During the execution stage, the employees of our planning team take the roles of supervisors, coordinators and specialists for different areas. They are enabled by the knowledge gained during the planning stage to direct the involved contractors in a clear and target-oriented manner, ensuring fluent operation. During a turnaround, they will be responsible for a high number of activities within a well-defined period. It is our goal to minimize losses in production and reach our defined targets with the highest efficiency possible.

Our role will be to optimally coordinate the critical intersections between all involved parties.

Stage 8 |Analysis and Lessons-Learned

After completion of your turnaround, ep-cm will conduct a comprehensive analysis, compiling all relevant information and discussing them with all involved. This stage of the process represents important information and knowledge transfer.

The data collected will be fed back into your systems as a basis for future actions. We also document and evaluate deviations and make them comparable using performance indicators. Together, we will identify room for improvement and work on specific measures to implement them.