Evaluation of efficiency of working time of equipment in blast furnace department

Purpose: The main aim of the paper is the evaluation of efficiency of working time of equipment in blast furnace department with the use of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and PAMCO method. Design/methodology/approach: The investigation was made for blast furnace department in Polish steel plant. Two methods: OEE and PAMCO was used. The analysis covers the period of 7 years. The analysis was made based on different data: different types of time connected whit work of blast furnaces, interruption in blast furnace work, level of pig iron production, unit production time and quantity of non-conformance production. Findings: Performed research made it possible to determine the level of efficiency of blast furnace department. It can be concluded that working time in this department is used efficient. Factors that reduce efficiency are usually not-dependent on the company: mainly are connected with the situation on the steel market. Research limitations/implications: It is necessary to continue the research in order to assess individual blast furnaces. That analysis may enable to show if these units has the same level of efficiency and if they are affected by the same factors in the same way. Practical implications: Optimal utilization of capacity and working time of machines and equipment are important for the reduction of production costs. Use of OEE and PAMCO methods helps to assess the level of efficiency of working time and allow to find factors that has great importance for level of efficiency. Originality/value: Results of this analysis can be taken into consideration by blast furnace department under study. Analysis can help to assess the level of efficiency and find factors that influence on it.