Get ready for 2026: 5 mission-critical components you should have in reserve

Planning for 2026 is not just about new major investments, modernisations and projects. It is also about keeping what you already have running. While the focus is often on optimisation and development, in practice it is the small components in the production line that can bring production to a standstill. 

It could be a gasket that loses its seal in the middle of CIP cleaning, a cleaning hose that bursts or a valve that leaks under pressure. 

What all these challenges have in common is that they can trigger unnecessary hours of waiting, temporary solutions and lost production time. 

Do you have the most exposed and critical components in your spare parts inventory to avoid downtime when something fails?

In both the food and pharmaceutical industries, documentation, traceability and hygiene requirements are at a level where even a small leak can create major challenges in the process. Yet it is often the most common wear parts that bring operations to a halt. Gaskets lose their elasticity and cause leaks. Mechanical parts in hose reels become worn and prevent proper winding. Valves wear out from repeated opening and closing, while hose clamps gradually loosen due to vibrations. Even cleaning hoses lose their flexibility over time – and when they fail, cleaning processes are put on hold. 

Once one of these components fails, operations come to a halt. Unless the components are in stock. 

With more than 40 years of collaboration with both the food and pharmaceutical industries, we have seen the same pattern repeat itself time and time again. When production stops, it is often due to one of these components. That is why they are often regulars in the spare parts warehouse of many of our customers – in dairy production, breweries and pharmaceutical batch plants.  

Union gaskets are found in every pipe and hose connection in your plant. They are exposed to heat, pressure and chemicals on a daily basis. That is precisely why they are among the most exposed components in your process plant. 

But here's the challenge. You can't always see that a gasket is worn. 

It may well look intact – with no visible cracks – and yet have lost its elasticity. The rubber becomes hard, deformed or flat over time. And when the gasket no longer presses correctly against the sealing surface, it affects tightness, hygiene and operational stability. 

That's why you should keep them in stock: 

• A single leaky gasket can shut down your entire line 
• Replacement takes a few minutes if you have the right variant in stock 
• The right seals minimise leaks and ensure approved operation 

Watch the video and gain insight into why union gaskets should be in your spare parts inventory. 

Your hose reels are in use every day and over time the mechanical parts become worn. The spring, locking mechanism and bearings are particularly prone to wear. Once one of these parts starts to jam, the problem is not just practical. It prolongs the cleaning routine and creates a classic tripping hazard in exposed areas. 

That's why you should keep them in stock: 

• A spare parts kit contains everything you need for quick repairs 
• You avoid having to replace the entire hose reel 
• You remove a classic tripping hazard in production 

Butterfly valves open and close constantly. This wears down the seals and bushings – and once they fail, it can have consequences for both your production and hygiene. We therefore always recommend that you keep extra service kits for your butterfly valves in reserve, so that you can simply replace the worn parts in a matter of moments. 

Why you should keep them in stock: 

• You can carry out maintenance yourself before a breakdown 
• You significantly extend the service life of the valve 
• You avoid contamination and unnecessary waste 

The hose clamp is perhaps the most overlooked component in a hose connection. But it is also what holds everything together. When the hose clamp loosens, you first get drips – then leaks – and finally a complete stoppage. 

That's why you should keep them in stock: 

• You can secure hoses and couplings safely – even under pressure surges 
• You prevent accidental stoppages and reduce maintenance time 
• You avoid the costly consequences of a mistake that could have been avoided 

In dairies, breweries and other food facilities, cleaning hoses are used several times a day. They are exposed to high pressure, hot water, mild chemicals and constant physical stress. They are pulled, bent, broken and rolled out and in – again and again. And that takes its toll. 

The cleaning hose is rarely the first thing you think of when planning your spare parts inventory. But it is often the one you are missing if it bursts in the middle of cleaning. 

That is why you should have them in stock: 

• Hoses in operation wear out faster than you can see with the naked eye 
• Production can maintain cleaning routines 
• You avoid delays in the release of the next batch 

It may seem trivial, but many production facilities still experience downtime due to a lack of wear parts. When operations are running smoothly, it is easy to underestimate how quickly a single component can become a weak link. 

So where do you start?  

Start with a systematic review of your most vulnerable points: 

• Review the entire process line: Where can a single component slow down the plant? 
• Check wear parts: Are there any gaskets, valves, hoses or clamps that are already under strain? 
• Define the minimum stock: How much do you need to have in stock to maintain operations? 

It's not about having everything on the shelf, but about having the right things. Call us on +45 7020 0422 or write to inquiry@alfotech.eu, and we'll talk about components for your spare parts inventory.