|
Feedback on the first BRICS forum
“More than 75% of the top 300 global companies in consumer goods and distribution project an increase in consumer spending in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries, according to a recent KPMG study. The hype around emerging markets is clearly growing, but South Africa will do well to draw on lessons from its fellow BRICS states if it is to benefit” Wits Business school journal (http://wbsjournal.co.za/journal-articles/trade-a-investment/90-lessons-for-sas-new-found-brics-status) In September 2011 South Africa hosted the first workshop focused on “Tackling inequality: What can we learn from the social and economic policies of the BRICS?” There is a clear commitment by these countries to see how they can learn from each other in the process of moving out of the status of “emerging markets”. In this context NFTN, UJ MCTS and CUT CRPM attended the first BRICS foundry forum from 2 – 7 October. The most valuable lesson learnt was realising how these countries are looking forward collectively and what the targets are they are setting for themselves. As part of the forum each country made three presentations: 2 technical presentations and 1 foundry market presentation. Attached please see the 2 South African technical presentations: Also attached the 4 country foundry market presentations (India representatives could not attend due to difficulty obtaining Visas on time):
|
The BRICS forum coincided with the CONAF foundry exhibition (similar to GIFA, held in South America). One of the exhibitors was ALEA software – an intuitive software to optimise the cost of your charge. You have the opportunity to download the application for a 15 days free trail. Check the benefits before paying, this includes limitless free technical assistance”.
|
Energy Management Booklet
Available as downloadable PDF – click here. Hard copies of the booklet are available at the NFTN office. |
|
Designated products The PPPFA will come into effect in December The initial products to be “designated” by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as ones that should be procured locally by all spheres of government and State-owned enterprises in line with the amended Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act regulations would be products used in infrastructure programmes, as well as those regularly purchased by government departments, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies revealed on Thursday” To read further go to: http://apperi.org/2011/09/25/south-africa-infrastructure-inputs-to-be-designated-for-local-procurement-davies/. For the foundry sector to be part of this process, input is needed as to what products you believe should be designed, for this purpose a template has been developed, click here |
|
Feedback from our stakeholders on the website
“Well done on the Guestro article, we need as much good news as possible to counteract any negativity in the industry. A nice short, punchy article that tells it like it is!!” |
|
PANEL OF EXPERTS: Update on Natie Potgieter
Natie has a NHD in Physical Foundry Metallurgy and focuses on permanent mould gravity Die Aluminium and high and low pressure sand exposure. His international exposure includes stints at various German consultancies. He has also received formal training at Kolbenschmidt in Germany. He has practical exposure to all gravity die disciplines particularly metallurgy from production, process and a laboratory perspective. Subject specialisations (relevant to training): Metallurgy, Melting, Chemical Analysis, Heat Treatment, Microstructure, Al Alloys Al Gravity Die Casting Practice, Some Tooling Exposure For more information visit his Expert profile click here |
|
Current NFTN activities: 1. Industry skills development and training SAIF is in the process of acquiring testing equipment for the Western Cape Foundry Training Centre. The feasibility study for the Gauteng Training Centre was completed at the end of September. The first feedback meeting was arranged with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development where the initial feasibility findings for a training centre in Gauteng were presented on 9 September 2011. Key stakeholders have been engaged during the month of September for the most suitable location for the centre. A final meeting will be arranged with the department and other stakeholder to discuss the two options of the implementation plan. The two options to consider is positioning the training centre either at the University of Johannesburg or at the Ekurhuleni FET College. The key aspect to take into consideration is the future sustainability and being able to institutionalise the training centre into an already public academic arena. 2. SME development NFTN steering committee has been in an intensive discussion process during the past year in deciding whether their activities under this result area is truly part of its mandate. The following decision was made: STATEMENT: Formal SME development remains important for NFTN, but not necessarily rural foundries 3. Competitive Improvement Initiative A total of 28 foundries were selected for this first TAP intervention, under the auspices of the DST Localisation Programme. Two of these foundries have since closed down due to unforeseen circumstances, one have moved premises to the Western Cape producing only for their own capacity and need. Following consultation with the DST Localisation and Advanced Manufacturing manager, the Halberg Guss foundry located in Port Elizabeth has now been included in the TAP programme, which brings the total number of foundries being offered assistance in this programme to 26. On 4 September the final report back by CSIR and Mintek was made to DST. NFTN has identified a number of successful projects that have been implemented through the DST TAP. Another similar project is the “Costing software for jobbing sand foundries” and NFTN believe this software would be beneficial to other jobbing foundries. For further information on this software please contact NFTN. 4. Innovation and Technology Eskom, NFTN and SAIF initiated an Energy Management project in November 2010. Eskom presented their Integrated Demand Management Programme (IDM) and the opportunities for foundries within the programme. It was agreed to amalgamate the above project with the German/UJ Effsafound project. The objective is to register and capacitate Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) with Eskom that can specifically address the savings in foundries in the melting area of the plant. Not many of these companies are available in South Africa. It is through the ESCOs that foundries can apply for IDM funding support from ESKOM. 5. Stakeholder engagement and communication
The 2nd Public sector workshop held |
Add a comment
You must be logged in to comment.