This course goes beyond the basics to explore the evolution of storeroom practices into a world-class, reliability-driven function. Through engaging discussions, real tools, and practical activities, participants will learn how to optimize inventory, improve accuracy, and align storeroom operations with broader maintenance and reliability goals. Whether you're in maintenance, procurement, or operations, you'll leave with actionable strategies to drive measurable improvements. and align storeroom operations with broader maintenance and reliability goals.

• Maintenance and reliability professionals seeking to elevate storeroom performance.
• Operations, CI, and TPM leaders aiming to integrate storeroom practices into broader improvement initiatives.
• Procurement, finance, and storeroom personnel looking to reduce costs and increase asset availability.

• Apply advanced inventory control methods such as ABC analysis, EOQ, and VED prioritization to optimize MRO stock levels.
• Implement world-class storeroom practices including layout design, security, kitting, and visual controls to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Use real-world tools and templates to drive continuous improvement and align storeroom operations with maintenance and reliability strategies.

Day 1

• Welcome and orientation
• Where have we been?
• Types of inventory
• Functions of inventory control (MRO)
• What parts to store and how many
• VED approach to prioritize stores
• Storeroom activities & security
• Storeroom layout & flow
• Parts numbering
• Part types
• Storeroom accuracy
• KPIs/best practices
• Efficient Storeroom Practices
• Inventory management
• Carrying costs
• Min/Max levels
• Reorder point

Day 2

• ABC Analysis
• Cycle counting
• Calculating EOQ
• Stock control
• Visual controls
• Access control – security
• 5S
• Environmental & safety
• Lighting
• Vending machines- point of use
• Care for spares
• Part ID technology

Day 3

• Budgeting
• Kitting
• Stores Stock Committee
• Root Cause Analysis
• Reliability Block Diagrams
• RAM Analysis
• Reliability metrics
• Life Cycle Costs
• Maintenance Work Management
• Process guides
• SMRP best practices

Steve Gowan

Steve Gowan is a Continuous Improvement leader with over 20 years of industrial experience and 14 years in Asset Management, Maintenance, and Reliability consulting.

He began his career in the United States Air Force as a Crew Chief on the B-1 Bomber, where he also served as an MRO Inventory Liaison. During his time at Dyess Air Force Base, he was named Airman of the Year after developing an improved inventory management process for aircraft spare parts. After his military service, Steve held engineering roles in the aerospace industry, owned his own business, and later served as an MRO Manager in the automotive sector and Plant Manager for a high-volume bakery.

Across every role, his focus has been continuous improvement. He has led initiatives in TPM, 5S, storeroom and spare parts management, employee development, root cause analysis, preventive and predictive maintenance, equipment reliability, and Lean manufacturing.

At Marshall Institute, Steve has served in several leadership roles, including Senior Consultant, Manager of Manufacturing and Training Services, Senior Manager of Manufacturing Services, Director of Consulting Services, and now Partner and Vice President. In his current role, he focuses on helping clients build practical strategies and ensuring his team delivers meaningful, measurable results.

Steve is a hands-on trainer, facilitator, and coach who works closely with clients to improve reliability, reduce costs, and build sustainable processes that stick.