The demand for increased performance of manufacturing units is growing daily. This project aims at improving the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of a Hardinge 600 II series Vertical Machining Centre (VMC) machine by modifying its subsystems. Problems related to higher power consumption and decreases in units produced per hour were analyzed. Earlier productivity of the VMC machine was limited due to low OEE. Installation of an accumulator in the hydraulic system of the work holding device and simplification of the chip removal mechanism was proposed on the VMC subsystem. These changes were possible only by removing the existing conveyor belt and introducing a tray disposal system. After implementing the suggested changes, an increase of 40% in OEE was achieved. Similar improvements can be followed in machines such as HMCs, FMS setups, and other machines for better productivity. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.