The three companies are large global companies exporting to international
markets, and have been located on existing sites for more than 30 years. All
three companies implemented TPM because they were exhibiting considerable
business difficulties (e.g. reduction of business in traditional markets and
facing plant closure). As Steinbacher and Steinbacher (1993) state, you ``need
dissatisfaction with the way things are to initiate the need for change . . .''.
Davis (1996) supports this by stating that one of the main reasons companies
fail with TPM is because the ``. . . company is not serious about change . . .'', as
do Maggard and Rhyne (1992). ``At least 2 to 3 years, most likely 5 years are
required for a total TPM implementation, but if there is no urgency for change
this could take longer.''