Meet Our New Maintenance Coordinator – Mark Connick
After 3 years with Noreside Engineering, Mark Connick has stepped into the role of Maintenance Coordinator, overseeing all maintenance activities across our client sites in Ireland. We caught up with Mark to hear more about the role.
Q: Mark, congratulations on the new role. What does it involve?
A: Thanks. It’s an exciting step. My role is to oversee all maintenance activities across our client sites, covering both conveyors and automation systems. That includes forward planning preventative maintenance, coordinating service visits, managing spare parts, and making sure we’re ready to respond quickly when something unexpected happens.
Q: You’ve been with Noreside for 3 years. How does that help in this position?
A: It makes a big difference. I understand our systems inside out — from stainless steel conveyors to robotic and automated production lines. I know how our clients operate, particularly in food, beverage and pharmaceutical environments where uptime and compliance are critical. That experience helps me spot potential risks early and plan properly.
Q: What does being a single point of contact mean for clients?
A: It means clarity and accountability. Clients can come directly to me for anything maintenance-related. I’ll coordinate internally with our mechanical and automation teams, schedule works, organise parts, and manage emergency call-outs if needed. It removes confusion and speeds up decision-making.
Q: Spare parts can often delay repairs. How are you approaching that?
A: Spare parts are a huge part of keeping production moving. We’re taking a more proactive approach — helping clients identify critical components and advising on recommended stockholding. For harder-to-find parts, especially on imported or specialist machines, we work directly with global machine manufacturers and trusted suppliers to source what’s needed as quickly as possible. Our goal is to reduce lead times and avoid extended downtime.
Q: Noreside manage the sourcing and delivery of parts?
A: Yes. We can handle the full process — identifying the correct component, sourcing it, arranging delivery to site, and then installing it as part of planned or reactive maintenance. It gives clients peace of mind knowing it’s all coordinated through one team.
Q: Noreside has introduced a Maintenance Framework SLA. What does that mean for clients?
A: The SLA brings structure and predictability. It clearly defines planned maintenance schedules, response times, reporting, and on-call assistance for conveyor and robotic automation systems. It ensures clients know exactly what level of support they have, and it allows us to plan resources properly.
Q: How important is forward planning in maintenance?
A: It’s everything. Reactive call-outs will always happen, but strong forward planning, supported by proper spare parts management, significantly reduces disruption. Preventative maintenance extends the life of equipment and protects throughput.
Q: What’s your goal in this new role?
A: My goal is to keep our clients’ operations running smoothly. Whether that’s planning ahead, sourcing a critical part from overseas, or reacting quickly to an emergency, I want clients to feel confident that their conveyors and automation systems are properly supported.
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