Some projects stay with you.

One of my first projects for the forerunner of PEAK VM, VMT, was developing a simple but highly effective solution to help speed up train maintenance for Transport for London (TfL): the humble kitting box.

The principle was straightforward. Train maintenance is time-critical, and having the correct components available when and where they are needed can make a significant difference to the efficiency of maintaining trains. We developed dedicated kitting boxes to ensure that the right parts, in the right quantities, were prepared and ready for application at the right time and in the right place.

It was a practical solution to a very practical challenge — helping maintenance teams spend less time searching for components and more time carrying out the work that keeps trains moving.

18 years on…

What makes this project particularly satisfying is that, almost 18 years later, we are still supporting these kit boxes.

That longevity says a lot about the value of getting the fundamentals right.

Good maintenance support isn’t always about introducing something complicated or revolutionary. Sometimes, the biggest improvements come from understanding the process, identifying where time and effort are being lost, and designing a solution that makes the job simpler and more consistent.

The kitting boxes are a great example of this approach. By bringing the required components together in a controlled and organised way, they help provide confidence that the maintenance team has what they need, when they need it.

And that means fewer delays, less wasted time and a more efficient maintenance process.

Small solution, lasting impact

Looking back, it’s rewarding to see an idea from one of my early projects still playing a role in supporting rail maintenance nearly two decades later.

It also reflects something that remains central to what we do at PEAK VM today: finding practical ways to improve the management and delivery of maintenance, whether that means optimising a process, improving the availability of parts, or simply making sure the right resources are in the right place at the right time.

Because sometimes, good asset management starts with good organisation.

And for those of us who love a well-organised kit box, that’s a pretty satisfying thought! 📦🚆

18 years on, and still delivering value.