The "intermediaries" involved are local companies that provide sales and distribution, and repair and maintenance services for Rolls-Royce in countries in which the UK firm does not have enough of its own people on the ground.

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Barnes said the Cleveland-based business provides inventory management, technical sales and supply chain services for maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies.

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Maintenance and repair services done well can be a key to earning consumer loyalty, industry executives and analysts say.

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Comfort Systems offers installation, maintenance, repair and replacement services for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the mechanical services industry.

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Verizon has been replacing high-maintenance portions of its residential copper network with fiber optics to provide enhanced services and to reduce ongoing repair costs.

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