At London Bridge, we caught up with Steve Morris from Mainstream to discuss how the maintenance and reliability landscape is evolving, and why engineers themselves are increasingly shaping that future. Speaking candidly about his recent visits across the UK, Morris explained that one of the most striking aspects of today’s industrial environment is the diversity in maintenance maturity. “The UK is a fascinating mix,” he says. “You’ve got organisations that are really pushing the boundaries with AI, predictive maintenance and advanced asset management. At the same time, there are still operations that are largely reactive, without structured planning or preventative strategies in place.” For engineers responsible for maintaining critical assets, this contrast presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Morris believes that bridging this gap is one of the most important priorities for the industry. “There’s a huge opportunity to improve performance, safety and reliability simply by learning from what others are already doing well,” he explains. “And that’s where community becomes incredibly powerful.” At the heart of Mainstream’s approach is a philosophy that places engineers firmly at the centre of the conversation. Rather than dictating content from the top down, the organisation builds its conferences and research around direct input from maintenance and reliability professionals.
This “by the people, for the people” model ensures that the topics discussed are not only relevant, but grounded in real-world challenges. “We bring together heads of maintenance, reliability leaders and practitioners and ask them what matters most,” Morris says. “That insight shapes everything we do, from the research we produce to the content delivered at our events.” Recent think tank sessions in Birmingham and Manchester have played a key role in shaping the agenda for the upcoming Mainstream event later this year.
These sessions, which bring together industry leaders for open and honest discussion, provide valuable insight into the issues currently facing engineers across multiple sectors. One area highlighted during these discussions is the complexity of maintenance strategies within multi-site operations, particularly in sectors such as food manufacturing. Morris notes that many organisations in this space have grown through acquisition, resulting in significant variation in maintenance practices from site to site. “You might have one facility that is highly advanced, using condition monitoring and predictive techniques, while another site within the same group is still largely reactive,” he says. Aligning these approaches is becoming increasingly important as companies look to improve efficiency, reduce downtime and enhance safety. For maintenance engineers, this often means navigating not only technical challenges but also organisational and cultural differences.
Beyond the technical aspects, Morris is particularly passionate about the way knowledge is shared within the industry. He emphasises that while formal presentations and technical papers have their place, the most valuable learning often happens through direct interaction between engineers. “It’s not just about what happens on stage,” he explains. “Some of the most important insights come from conversations over a coffee, where people share their experiences and challenges in a more informal setting. That’s where real learning happens.” This focus on human-to-human interaction is a defining feature of Mainstream’s events, which are designed to encourage open dialogue and collaboration. By creating an environment where engineers feel comfortable sharing their knowledge, the organisation aims to accelerate the spread of best practice across the industry. Looking ahead to the upcoming Birmingham event in October, Morris is confident that it will build on the success of previous gatherings. With a strong emphasis on practitioner-led content and real-world case studies, the event promises to deliver valuable insights for maintenance and reliability professionals at all levels. For engineers working in asset management, maintenance and reliability, the message is clear. In an industry undergoing rapid change, staying connected and engaged with the wider community is more important than ever. As Morris concludes, “The answers are often already out there. It’s about bringing people together so they can learn from each other and move forward together.” For further information please visit:
