What is Factory Downtime?

The term manufacturing/factory downtime refers to any period during which a manufacturer is not able to produce goods because of an equipment failure, scheduled maintenance, or problems with labor or supplies.

Various reasons can lead to downtime, including human error, improper maintenance, and excessive changeovers.

When equipment fails, or when the supply chain is interrupted, there is an unplanned downtime. Additionally, downtime can be planned – such as when manufacturing equipment is halted for maintenance.