What are the risks associated with unaddressed equipment maintenance issues?

The correct choice highlights the significant impact that unaddressed equipment maintenance issues can have on operations. When equipment is not maintained properly, it is more likely to fail. Such failures can lead to unexpected downtime, which in turn causes production delays. This not only affects the productivity of a manufacturing operation but may also impact the overall supply chain, leading to missed deadlines and potentially dissatisfied customers.

Equipment failure can lead to more than just immediate production stoppages; it can also result in cascading effects throughout the organization. Delays in production may mean that orders are not fulfilled on time, leading to delayed shipments, which can harm customer relationships and trust.

Considering the context of the other choices, while increased repair costs are an important consideration, they are a symptom of equipment failure rather than a primary risk. Similarly, employee satisfaction might decline if they are repeatedly faced with equipment that fails or is unreliable. While a reduction in customer demand can occur as a secondary effect of production delays, it is not as direct a consequence as equipment failure itself. Hence, the link between unaddressed maintenance issues and production delays underscores the critical need for regular and effective maintenance practices.