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2 Year Warranty on ALL products
Holiday Shutdown Prep: The Smart Way to Stock Spare Drives, PLCs & HMIs
When production slows during the holidays, most factories don’t rest—they reset. End-of-year shutdowns are prime time for maintenance teams to replace failing drives, back up critical PLCs, and build the parts inventory they wish they’d had during the busy season.
But here’s the catch: OEM lead times don’t take time off. Parts on backorder in December often still won’t arrive by January. If your team wants to start 2026 strong, the smartest move you can make right now is to stock the parts most likely to fail.
That’s where having a reliable, in-stock industrial parts partner makes all the difference.
What Happens When You Wait Until Something Breaks?
A single unplanned breakdown can cost more than an entire shelf of spare components. During peak season, hundreds of plants chase the same limited supply. Lead times stretch, prices spike, and production managers face tough decisions:
- Keep a line down while waiting weeks or months for an OEM backorder
- Pay steep emergency premiums
- Try sourcing unverified parts with no warranty
- Attempt risky temporary repairs that only delay the outage
All because one key component failed without a spare ready to go.
The Holiday Advantage: Stock Before You’re Forced To
The holidays are one of the most overlooked maintenance windows of the year. With production slowed or paused, maintenance teams get a rare chance to:
- Swap out aging VFDs and servo drives
- Replace failing HMIs before they're completely dead
- Load spare PLCs with backups
- Test new modules without impacting production
- Build a reliable parts shelf to prevent emergency downtime next year
Need parts fast?
Top Components to Stock Before Your Holiday Shutdown
These items are both common failure points and expensive downtime risks.
Spare Drives
Keep the line running even if a drive fails unexpectedly.
ABB ACH550-UH-059A-4 – HVAC Pump & Fan Drive
This drive frequently fails in facilities with high cycle rates and heat exposure. When it goes offline, fan systems lose airflow control and pump applications lose flow regulation. There’s no safe bypass—production stops until the drive is replaced.
PLC CPUs & I/O Modules
One bad module can stop an entire line.
Siemens 6ES7322-1BL00-0AA0 – Digital Output Module
Failures can cause intermittent outputs, blown channels, or total output loss. These modules often control conveyors, indexing systems, cutters, alarms, or interlocks—so a single fault can immobilize an entire process. The only fix is replacement.
HMI / Operator Panels
Without an HMI, operators cannot run equipment or complete safety confirmations.
Siemens 6AV2124-0JC01-0AX0 – KTP700 Basic Panel
A failing touchscreen shuts down operation immediately. Operators lose button input, visibility, confirmations, and navigation. Backlight failures, cracked glass, or power-cycle damage can take an HMI offline without warning. Replacement is the only path to recovery.
Don’t Just Buy Spares — Prepare Them
A backup part isn’t useful if it’s sitting unconfigured in a box. During your shutdown, make sure to:
- Test drives and power modules
- Load PLC backups into spare controllers
- Document firmware versions
- Label and store parts clearly
- Keep climate-sensitive components in controlled storage
The goal isn’t just buying spares—it’s ensuring they’re ready to install within minutes, not hours.
Why Buy In-Stock Instead of New-Build OEM?
| Factor | New OEM | In-Stock Parts |
| Delivery Time | Weeks–Months | Ships Same Day |
| Price | Often premium | Competitive + negotiable |
| Legacy Support | Limited | Includes discontinued stock |
| Downtime Impact | Severe | Minimal or none |
How Industrial Automation Co. Helps You Stay Ready
Industrial Automation Co. gives your team an edge:
- Thousands of parts in stock
- 2-year warranty on every part
- Tested and verified inventory
- Same-day shipping options
- Support for both modern and legacy equipment
Ready to Prep for Your Shutdown?
Upload a parts list, ask about availability, or request recommendations. Our team is here to help you plan smart and keep production moving in 2026.