https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Forum tackles industry challenges

STAYING FOCUSED
The forum aims to develop skills in the industry by dealing with problem- solving, productivity, quality, cost and delivery improvemen

STAYING FOCUSED The forum aims to develop skills in the industry by dealing with problem- solving, productivity, quality, cost and delivery improvemen

11th April 2014

By: Jonathan Rodin

  

Font size: - +

The New Foundry Generation Forum, launched in August last year, develops a chosen group of young leaders in the foundry industry, identified and selected by a committee.

The forum aims to develop skills in the industry by dealing with problem-solving, productivity, quality, cost and delivery improvement.

Essentially, the programme encourages collaboration among foundries, while at the same time providing essential skills needed to ensure South Africa’s future foundry leadership is equipped to grow the industry.

The forum is a project of the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN), an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry.

NFTN project leader Steve Jardine highlights that the first course in the workshop series dealt with a manufacturing competitive enhancement or problem- solving process.

Potential savings of up to R3.2-million, as a result of hypothetically implementing the interventions, were identified during the workshop, with some participants reporting 100% productivity improvement.

The Automotive Industry Development Centre, a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, presented the first course to the chosen candidates in September and October 2013, he adds.

Chosen participants attended workshops, conducted over three months, on Fridays and Saturdays. “During these workshops, which started in September 2013, participants shared their specific industry-related problems. These include high scrapping rates, manufacturing defects, recycled-materials waste and lagging productivity rates, explains Jardine.

Engineering company MIS Engineering candidate Colin Smit was named the overall best student of the workshop, having reported significant improvements in these problems, despite not yet having implemented the full plan of possible interventions devised during the exercise.

“This workshop changed the way I identify, articulate and solve problems. It taught me to work at getting to the root cause of the problem before jumping into action mode, which has proved really valuable,” says Smit.

Further sessions will include demonstrations of the latest technologies, as well as considering strategic and management skills, says Jardine, adding: “This is because the NFTN is committed to engaging with relevant equipment and materials suppliers in the industry and training institutions.

Jardine says that foundries are invited to propose topics, which they believe are not being addressed in the industry at present.

“The NFTN aims to offer these courses at no cost or a nominal cost to participants. “The first series of manufacturing competitive enhancement courses was funded by the NFTN,” he adds.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd

For over 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level, density, weight and pressure. As the inventor of the...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
John Thompson
John Thompson

John Thompson, the leader in energy and environmental solutions through value engineering and innovation, provides the following: design, engineer,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.267 0.33s - 271pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now