The art of management is a very particular asset and requires a wide range of capabilities. In addition, companies usually have very specific requirements of their management team, and therefore organically developing in-house potential and capability is often preferable to importing management expertise from outside.
Leading provider of portable air and power Rand-Air is part of the Atlas Copco Group, a company with a history dating back to 1873. Throughout its history, Atlas Copco has placed a strong emphasis on training, a strength that has seen it grow from manufacturing steam engines to the major industrial corporate it is today. The importance of training is also key to Rand-Air, which has long been known locally for its consistent investment in employee development and its people-centric ethos.
In late 2017, Rand-Air Sales Manager Kim Coetzee was selected to attend training at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) in 2018. The SSE’s FEM Executive Management Programme is part of an international development programme for managers at a range of leading Scandinavian companies.
“There were participants from six different companies, and ten different countries who attended the course over a period of four months. The course embraced a variety of active learning approaches, such as case studies, group work, experience-based learning, structured reflections and project assignments,” explains Coetzee.
With the rapid industrialisation of Europe at the turn of the last century, the Stockholm School of Economics was founded in 1909 to develop Sweden’s management echelon. The purpose of the SSE’s FEM programme is to develop and enhance general management and leadership skills from a multi-financial perspective and thereby enhance the participant’s ability to lead a team in a multi-national context.
To be selected for this course requires two key characteristics from participants: a track record of successful management experience and high motivation for continued development.
Coetzee explains that the FEM programme developed the following key areas:
- Business environment and global outlook
- Corporate and competitive strategy
- Business model development
- Financial strategy and financial analysis
- Business control and performance management
- Industrial marketing
- Innovation and the network economy
- Leadership and personal development
- Virtual distance leadership
These themes are woven seamlessly into the program forming an ongoing process of growth through dialogue, structured learning reviews and reflection. The delivery is provided through a blended learning approach.
“During the course, we were involved in short remote sessions and webinars to complement and complete the delivery done in the face-to-face programme days,” she continues.
“Another very beneficial aspect of this training is the global network that was created as a result of our participation. We connected and formed contacts with participants from companies all over the world.”
“As a result, you get new ideas on how to implement different things in your own business, because you are exposed to other environments and other ways of doing things. It enhances and enriches you as a person – and enables you to think differently and approach things from a different perspective,” she enthuses.
“When I returned from the training, I was very excited and keen to try new things within Rand-Air. We conducted a workshop within the company, and selected people from our various branches and operational areas.
From there, we looked at ways in which we could do things differently and improve. As a result, we have developed project teams, which are duly incentivised. This provides an effective and ongoing mechanism within the company to foster innovation and drive creativity.”
She explains that there are certain requirements that have been identified where Rand-Air could improve their customers’ experience. The company also has a team working to develop a viable solution to this challenge, as exceeding customers’ expectations remains a key organisational imperative for the business.
“Training stimulates new ideas upon which the current and future industry growth is based. You have to find new ways of doing things if you want to grow and ensure sustainability. We are fortunate in that Rand-Air has always seen the benefit of continuous learning, development and looking for new and innovative ways in which to improve our customer service and remain fresh and relevant,” she concludes.
About Rand-Air
With several depots, branches and substantial representation across Southern Africa, Rand-Air continues to expand their footprint to service a diverse market. Since 1973, Rand-Air has been driven by an ethos to exceed customer expectation and satisfaction. This is complemented by a product offering that adheres to the highest quality standards in the industry. Rand-Air’s products portfolio includes oil-free compressors, industrial air compressors, diesel compressors, electric air compressors (all screw compressors), diesel generators and lighting towers.
As the market leader in portable air compressors and generator rental, Rand-Air upholds its reputation through regular training and upskilling in business related and product-specific matters.
Editorial Contact
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“Okeke oversees supply chain transformation projects in several African countries, with a key focus on Nigeria. She is an expert in engaging governments and is currently serving as a thought partner and advisor to national ministries of health in Africa. We are delighted to have her in our Spring line-up of outstanding speakers with knowledge and lessons to share with supply chain professionals,” comments SAPICS president, Kea Mpane.
In her presentation, Okeke, who is the Regional Director of the Africa Resource Centre, will highlight the massive strides being made in Nigeria to professionalise supply chain management, with particular focus on the work being done to align public health and private sector collaboration. “In a country made up of 36 different states, challenges abound. Each has its own governance, cultural differences, infrastructure challenges and supply chain complexities; and each is working with the National Department of Health, with the support at the highest level, to prioritise the elevation of supply chain management as a profession. Education is key. Collaboration is essential,” Okeke stresses. She notes that Nigeria is working on getting it right to ensure that the right products are delivered to the right people at the right time and in the right condition. “In the public health space this means saving lives.”
SCOR (the Supply Chain Operations Reference model), which has been used by hundreds of organisations worldwide in pursuit of supply chain excellence, is also on the agenda for the SAPICS Spring Conference 2019. Presenter Andrew dos Santos will discuss the exceptional results that can be achieved by combining SCOR with DDMRP (Demand Driven Material Resource Planning) and the Demand Driven Adaptive System (DDAS). “SCOR and DDAS have a natural synergy and can be used in concert to achieve supply chain excellence. Both bridge the gap between operational and strategic levels within an organisation,” asserts Dos Santos, who is a Director of AppliSential, which provides supply chain management advisory services for the design and implementation of supply chain best practices and technology. AppliSential developed the first DDI (Demand Driven Institute) compliant software solution in Africa.
Future fit demand planning, entrepreneurship and the value of fostering an ownership mentality in employees are other important topics lined up for the 2019 SAPICS Spring Conference.
The planning world has changed and continues to evolve at an exponential rate. Linear planning is no longer good enough. Presenters MJ Schoemaker and Jeremy Basckin will discuss the latest predictive methods and tools that deal with multiple inputs and cumulative amounts of data to provide reliable demand forecasts.
SAPICS Spring Conference speaker David Hallett aims to encourage and mentor young entrepreneurs who are thinking of starting or have launched SMEs. “Small enterprises can really have an impact on our economy, create jobs, create value and be innovative in ways that large corporates struggle to do in turbulent times,” he contends, but notes that SMEs need support, mentoring and motivation to push through tough times and make their mark. Hallett, who is the Principal Consultant at Path to Peak Consulting, South Africa, will share his advice with delegates aiming to make their mark in SMEs.
“Moving from Compliance to Ownership” is the topic of the presentation by Jürgen Tietz. “We have to do things better, faster, cheaper and safer in order to survive and thrive,” he stresses. “It is about systems, equipment and people; it is about the people who pick, pack, place, pull and push products, papers and buttons and drive millions of miles. We have to become proactive and move all our people from compliance to ownership. We should not just be telling them what to do, but rather equipping them to make their own choices.”
The SAPICS Spring Conference will provide supply chain management professionals with the opportunity to spend a day immersed in world class, interactive and stimulating presentations along with exceptional networking opportunities. It is aimed at delegates who were unable to attend the 2019 SAPICS Conference in Cape Town, explains SAPICS president Kea Mpane. “It is ideal for supply chain practitioners who are looking for a high calibre, high impact and informative event that doesn’t require extended time out of the office. With no less than three SAPICS Conference Award winning speakers – Steven Melnyk, Jeremy Basckin and Jürgen Tietz – on the agenda, this is an event not to be missed,” she adds.
For further information, or to register for the event on 10 September 2019, call 011 023 6701 or email [email protected]. For up-to the-minute information, visit the SAPICS website: www.sapics.org
Issued by Express Communications, on behalf of SAPICS.
For more information:
Tel: +27 (0) 11 023 6701
Email: [email protected]
ABOUT SAPICS: http://www.sapics.org
Since its foundation in 1966, SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, has become the leading provider of knowledge in supply chain management, production and operations in Southern Africa.
SAPICS builds operations management excellence in individuals and enterprises through superior education and training, internationally recognised certifications, comprehensive resources and a country-wide network of accomplished industry professionals. This network is ever expanding and now includes associates in other African countries. SAPICS is proud to represent APICS (the global end-to-end supply chain association) as its exclusive premier channel partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Established 40 years ago, the annual SAPICS Conference is the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals.
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The city has realised its water saving measures, which focused on driving down demand and supplementing supply, are not working and it has had to relook at its plan.
According to Schneider Electric, water efficiency can be achieved in plants and processes that deliver drinking water and waste treatment facilities, through the installation of effective and efficient process controllers and systems.
These solutions optimise design and construction costs; reduce operating costs in water treatment, power and control of a network of pumping stations, 24/7.
This enables customers to:
- reduce energy bills thanks to both power quality and power savings
- improve process management for treatment plants and pumping station networks
- increase service life of hydraulic equipment
Operators need to reduce their operating costs through load shifting, high efficiency motors and drives and process optimisation of pump motors. Schneider Electric’s solutions for power management and control can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.
Avoiding resonance
In water installations, Variable Speed Drives, ozone generators and UV lamps mainly generate harmonics, which should all be carefully managed to avoid resonance, particularly when Power Factor Correction capacitors are present. Increased current demands and nuisance tripping are the most frequent adverse consequences of harmonics. Schneider Electric can provide assistance and solutions for harmonic management in compliance with utility regulations.
Detecting problems as early as possible avoids process downtime and reduces operating costs. The company offers diagnostic tools that are easy to use and which give efficient access to relevant information, such as the root cause and process values needed to fix the problem.
At the Supervision Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) level, tools such as ‘Process Analyst’ are available to create reports and analyse process data, which can then be used to optimise the process in order to reduce electricity consumption.
Automation components for harsh environments
In water applications, the environment is sometimes polluted and may have negative impacts on the ageing of the electronic components used. This results in unexpected downtime and higher maintenance costs. Based on extensive field experience, Schneider Electric has developed a special protection process (conformal coating) to improve service life in such aggressive chemical and corrosive environments.
In drinking water networks, constant distribution pressure is required to reach all floors in urban zones and to overcome physical barriers in rural zones. Boosting stations are placed along the network and both constant availability and real time adaptation to the users’ water demands are required.
Different technologies are used: from fixed to variable speed, from switchboards to stand-alone devices, from medium voltage to low voltage. In all cases, perfect integration into the electrical and automation networks is necessary. Schneider Electric offers additional advantages through a set of innovative solutions for pumping stations.
Closing the distance
In South Africa, water sources are far from consumption points. In addition, wastewater collection is required and coordination between pumping stations is required to manage water flow. This results in extensive networks and creates specific water problems because of remote locations, poor communication networks, difficult and expensive maintenance and the availability of electrical energy. Schneider Electric’s telemetry system is the answer.
To support water process throughout its life cycle, from the design stage, during operation and to modernisation, Schneider Electric offers various services available through its network of qualified partners. Its projects and service centres are at customers’ disposal and are able to provide a unique power and control services offer.
Flexible approach
The company’s systematic approach to upgrades and retrofits is the key to extending equipment life at a fraction of the replacement cost. It upgrades or replaces circuit breakers with new technology; develops switchgear retrofit solutions; reconditions LV and MV power circuit breakers; replaces or repairs drives.
It conducts power quality and harmonic studies to identify previously undiagnosed problems that can reduce equipment life and interfere with reliable operation. As the upgrades come online, its installation services verify that the new equipment is damage-free, properly installed and ready to meet optimum performance standards.
International expertise, local presence
Water is a planetary resource that concerns all and there are strong global players present but South Africa still has its own challenges, which Schneider Electric, with its local presence, is able to make significant progress.
The magnificent gesture travellers flying from Gauteng to Cape Town, exchanging five kilograms of their on-flight baggage for five litres of water, will only provide a stopgap; the crisis needs fundamental engineering solutions.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries.
With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software.
In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency.
We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.
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· Enhanced, stronger IIoT and cybersecurity capabilities drive reliability and safety improvements
· Retains I/O and application logic from previous systems to protect current installations
Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, launched a new service that will help industrial manufacturers modernize their programmable logic control (PLC) systems easily, safely and more cost effectively, sometimes in less than one hour. By reducing downtime and disruption to the operation, the service provides an easier migration to the company’s Modicon M580 programmable automation controllers. With built-in Ethernet capability and best-in-class processing power and memory, the Modicon M580 ePAC is the only PLC that can enable 100 percent ROI within three months for hybrid applications.
Modernizing to value-focused technology
”Upgrading older or obsolete PLC systems is proven to increase the safety, efficiency, reliability and, especially, profitability of our customers’ hybrid and process operations,” said Nathalie Marcotte, senior vice president, Industry Services, Schneider Electric. “Our PLC modernization service helps manufacturers quickly and efficiently leverage Schneider Electric’s value-focused IIoT technology and expertise to gain better insight into their industrial operations. Upgrading to the Modicon M580 ePAC will empower their workforce to make better, more accurate business decisions at the right time, which enables them to drive measurable improvements to their operational profitability, safely and sustainably.”
The seamless migration combines a Unity M580 application converter with a migration expert configuration utility tool, which identifies operational gaps and provides recommendations to solve each customer’s unique systems challenges. This combination enables customers to easily convert Unity software applications on both Quantum and Premium platforms to be compatible with the M580, while providing the option to produce a pre-engineering proposal for the new M580 I/O. A quick wiring system for the TSX Premium processor allows upgrades to be completed in less than one hour.
Innovation at Every Level to control operational profitability
“Today’s pace of business, especially in manufacturing, requires technology built for faster, more connected operations. Many of our customers are relying on older, inefficient PLCs that are less reliable, have a higher total cost of ownership and leave operations vulnerable to new and emerging threats,” said Marcotte. “Modernizing to the Modicon M580 ePAC gives our customers a future-proof, IIoT-ready platform, one that can quickly help them control their operational profitability in real time, without disrupting their business.
“These services are the latest example of how we help our customers migrate to value-focused IIoT solutions via EcoStruxure PlantTM. Our open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform allows us to innovate at every level to improve the safety, reliability, efficiency and profitability of our customers’ operations in real time. It helps them convert their automation investments into the profit engine of their business.”
The Modicon M580 ePAC can help industrial manufacturers achieve better, earlier ROI and 100 percent returns on their project investments in less than three months. Efficiencies gained with the Modicon M580 ePAC speed project execution and create better, more accurate and effective control over the plant’s operational profitability. Along with many other operational benefits, it can:
- Reduce time to market by up to 25 percent;
- Reduce process energy consumption by up to 30 percent;
- Reduce the likelihood of cyber attacks;
- Improve productivity of high-volume manufacturing applications by more than $2 million annually;
- And improve bottom-line performance of medium to large manufacturing facilities by at least $1.3 million annually.
- Schneider Electric’s PLC Modernization Services are fully available for sale and deployment worldwide. Part of Schneider Electric’s PLC Lifecycle Management Services, the services are complemented by the company’s Customer FIRST and Advantage Services Plans for ongoing maintenance and support. For more information about Schneider Electric’s Industrial Services, please visit our PLC Migration and Upgrade web page.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries.
With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software.
In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency.
We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.
www.schneider-electric.com
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