A framework for improving centrifugal pump reliability and availability in air separation plants : a comparative case study
- Authors: Mphosa, Ibo , Botha, Barend
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Asset , Maintenance , Reliability
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceeding
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289563 , uj:31419 , Citation: Mphosa, I. & Botha, B. 2018. A framework for improving centrifugal pump reliability and availability in air separation plants : a comparative case study.
- Description: Abstract: Although many different maintenance programmes exists in the current industrial domain, unintended downtime due to failures of centrifugal pumps remains a major source of downtime in air separation plants. This phenomenon is investigated here in the context of the implementation of reliability centred maintenance (RCM) framework in air separation environment. The main objectives of this study are to investigate centrifugal pump reliability problems in air separation plants and to identify the factors that lead to success or failure of RCM frameworks. Two case studies (plants) in the same organisation were selected for this research and the case study research methodology was used to investigate the outlined problem. It was found that effective two-way communication or lack thereof between the plant personnel and the Reliability Engineers affects knowledge sharing and quality of pump strategies. In this research an updated RCM framework and an asset strategy model provides the clarity and quality of communication that is required to improve centrifugal pump reliability. An updated framework was proposed based upon the findings of this research as a way to improve centrifugal pump reliability and availability in air separation plants.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mphosa, Ibo , Botha, Barend
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Asset , Maintenance , Reliability
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceeding
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289563 , uj:31419 , Citation: Mphosa, I. & Botha, B. 2018. A framework for improving centrifugal pump reliability and availability in air separation plants : a comparative case study.
- Description: Abstract: Although many different maintenance programmes exists in the current industrial domain, unintended downtime due to failures of centrifugal pumps remains a major source of downtime in air separation plants. This phenomenon is investigated here in the context of the implementation of reliability centred maintenance (RCM) framework in air separation environment. The main objectives of this study are to investigate centrifugal pump reliability problems in air separation plants and to identify the factors that lead to success or failure of RCM frameworks. Two case studies (plants) in the same organisation were selected for this research and the case study research methodology was used to investigate the outlined problem. It was found that effective two-way communication or lack thereof between the plant personnel and the Reliability Engineers affects knowledge sharing and quality of pump strategies. In this research an updated RCM framework and an asset strategy model provides the clarity and quality of communication that is required to improve centrifugal pump reliability. An updated framework was proposed based upon the findings of this research as a way to improve centrifugal pump reliability and availability in air separation plants.
- Full Text:
An assessment of the effectiveness of equipment maintenance practices in public hospitals
- Mwanza, Bupe G., Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Mwanza, Bupe G. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Effectiveness , Maintenance , Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/73962 , uj:18477 , Citation: Mwanza, B.G. & Mbohwa, C. 2015. An assessment of the effectiveness of equipment maintenance practices in public hospitals.
- Description: Abstract: In the move towards world-class service delivery, many institutions are realizing a need for the use of proper maintenance of operation facilities and equipments. Health-care institutions, machines and equipment are becoming technologically more advanced and at the same time more complex and difficult to control. The purpose of the paper was to assess the effectiveness of the maintenance practices used in the maintenance of equipments at three public hospitals. The researchers set objectives which were to determine the different maintenance practices used to maintain the hospitals equipment, challenges of these maintenance practices and the effect of maintenance practices on health-care service delivery. Purposive sampling was used in the distribution of 55 questionnaires among the operators and the workers. The results reviewed a high rate of equipment unavailability attributed by high failure rates due to unreliable schedule systems for equipment, high equipment breakdowns and shortage of manpower. As a result of these challenges, only 24% of the respondents agreed the health service delivery was good, while 76% agreed it was not good. 84% of the respondents in the maintenance department agreed the maintenance practices used in the maintenance of the equipment were giving a lot of challenges while 16% were not sure. As a result of these findings, the researchers grouped the different hospital equipments into different categories based on the level of criticality and designed an effective maintenance model based on reliability centered maintenance (RCM) for the purpose of improving the availability and reliability of the hospital equipment in order to add value to the health-care service.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mwanza, Bupe G. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Effectiveness , Maintenance , Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/73962 , uj:18477 , Citation: Mwanza, B.G. & Mbohwa, C. 2015. An assessment of the effectiveness of equipment maintenance practices in public hospitals.
- Description: Abstract: In the move towards world-class service delivery, many institutions are realizing a need for the use of proper maintenance of operation facilities and equipments. Health-care institutions, machines and equipment are becoming technologically more advanced and at the same time more complex and difficult to control. The purpose of the paper was to assess the effectiveness of the maintenance practices used in the maintenance of equipments at three public hospitals. The researchers set objectives which were to determine the different maintenance practices used to maintain the hospitals equipment, challenges of these maintenance practices and the effect of maintenance practices on health-care service delivery. Purposive sampling was used in the distribution of 55 questionnaires among the operators and the workers. The results reviewed a high rate of equipment unavailability attributed by high failure rates due to unreliable schedule systems for equipment, high equipment breakdowns and shortage of manpower. As a result of these challenges, only 24% of the respondents agreed the health service delivery was good, while 76% agreed it was not good. 84% of the respondents in the maintenance department agreed the maintenance practices used in the maintenance of the equipment were giving a lot of challenges while 16% were not sure. As a result of these findings, the researchers grouped the different hospital equipments into different categories based on the level of criticality and designed an effective maintenance model based on reliability centered maintenance (RCM) for the purpose of improving the availability and reliability of the hospital equipment in order to add value to the health-care service.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of the quality management systems (QMS) at a South African electricity state owned company compared to the requirement of ISO 9001:2015
- Mukwakungu, Sambil Charles, Kasongo, Jonathan Eljadael, Ibrahimu, Kidoge, Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Mukwakungu, Sambil Charles , Kasongo, Jonathan Eljadael , Ibrahimu, Kidoge , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Quality management systems , ISO 9001:2005 , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402405 , uj:33673 , Citation: Mukwakungu, S.C. et al. 2019. An evaluation of the quality management systems (QMS) at a South African electricity state owned company compared to the requirement of ISO 9001:2015.
- Description: Abstract: This paper assesses the gap between an established QMS at the South African national electricity company in the metering division compared to ISO 9001:2015 requirements standard and finding ultimate ways to close the gaps. The study follows a quantitative approach with questionnaires distributed and semi-structured interviews conducted to collect the data for more reliability and validity of the study. A sample of 200 employees was selected form the metering division, however, the response rate translated to 82.5%. It is found that some of ISO 9001:2015 clauses are not respected, and the expected requirements were not met in terms of process approach, with 77% of respondent indicating that there is a lack of resources and competencies, while 73% indicated that there is a deficiency in design and operation compatibility. Recommendations made on the failure in the process approach include the use of internal and external audits and the development of quality awareness programs of metering employees.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mukwakungu, Sambil Charles , Kasongo, Jonathan Eljadael , Ibrahimu, Kidoge , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Quality management systems , ISO 9001:2005 , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402405 , uj:33673 , Citation: Mukwakungu, S.C. et al. 2019. An evaluation of the quality management systems (QMS) at a South African electricity state owned company compared to the requirement of ISO 9001:2015.
- Description: Abstract: This paper assesses the gap between an established QMS at the South African national electricity company in the metering division compared to ISO 9001:2015 requirements standard and finding ultimate ways to close the gaps. The study follows a quantitative approach with questionnaires distributed and semi-structured interviews conducted to collect the data for more reliability and validity of the study. A sample of 200 employees was selected form the metering division, however, the response rate translated to 82.5%. It is found that some of ISO 9001:2015 clauses are not respected, and the expected requirements were not met in terms of process approach, with 77% of respondent indicating that there is a lack of resources and competencies, while 73% indicated that there is a deficiency in design and operation compatibility. Recommendations made on the failure in the process approach include the use of internal and external audits and the development of quality awareness programs of metering employees.
- Full Text:
An integrated framework for maintenance of public buildings in Ghana
- Authors: Owusu, D. , Aigbavboa, C.O.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Maintenance , Public buildings , Integrated framework
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216860 , uj:21562 , Citation: Owusu, D & Aigbavboa, C.O. 2016. An integrated framework for maintenance of public buildings in Ghana.
- Description: Abstract: Maintenance works is an important function in organizations with significant investment in physical assets. This aids to prolong the life of these assets and plays an important role in achieving organizational goals. Acknowledging the need of a systematic maintenance for public buildings, this research therefore is seen as the vital approach to highlight and to assist the improvement on the maintenance for public buildings. This research intents to integrate two key elements, namely, the importance and the needs of the maintenance, with the aim of developing an integrated framework for a systematic maintenance programme for public buildings in Ghana. The study is a social research which is focused on obtaining perceptions or opinions of the caretakers, maintenance experts and other stakeholders who are key in the implementation of maintenance programmes for public buildings. The nature of this investigation will be undertaken through a cross sectional survey design and will make use of a mix of qualitative and quantitative research strategies. This study will be conducted in government owned universities in Ghana. The research will be limited to respondents who are involved in maintenance of these public universities. The respondents will represent government departments, budget officers, maintenance officers, community consultants, contractors, designers, engineers, project managers, town planners and cultural heritage preservation experts. The involvement of multiple project stakeholders in this study will provide in-depth views and aid validate the research findings. The study will employ both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques. Purposive sampling will be use to narrow the sample frame to only universities owned by the government and used in selecting the experts and other key stakeholders while systematic sampling will be used to select the actual buildings from various universities to be analyzed...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Owusu, D. , Aigbavboa, C.O.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Maintenance , Public buildings , Integrated framework
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216860 , uj:21562 , Citation: Owusu, D & Aigbavboa, C.O. 2016. An integrated framework for maintenance of public buildings in Ghana.
- Description: Abstract: Maintenance works is an important function in organizations with significant investment in physical assets. This aids to prolong the life of these assets and plays an important role in achieving organizational goals. Acknowledging the need of a systematic maintenance for public buildings, this research therefore is seen as the vital approach to highlight and to assist the improvement on the maintenance for public buildings. This research intents to integrate two key elements, namely, the importance and the needs of the maintenance, with the aim of developing an integrated framework for a systematic maintenance programme for public buildings in Ghana. The study is a social research which is focused on obtaining perceptions or opinions of the caretakers, maintenance experts and other stakeholders who are key in the implementation of maintenance programmes for public buildings. The nature of this investigation will be undertaken through a cross sectional survey design and will make use of a mix of qualitative and quantitative research strategies. This study will be conducted in government owned universities in Ghana. The research will be limited to respondents who are involved in maintenance of these public universities. The respondents will represent government departments, budget officers, maintenance officers, community consultants, contractors, designers, engineers, project managers, town planners and cultural heritage preservation experts. The involvement of multiple project stakeholders in this study will provide in-depth views and aid validate the research findings. The study will employ both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques. Purposive sampling will be use to narrow the sample frame to only universities owned by the government and used in selecting the experts and other key stakeholders while systematic sampling will be used to select the actual buildings from various universities to be analyzed...
- Full Text:
Applying preventive and predictive best practice on plant maintenance
- Tshabuse, F., Pretorius, J.H.C.
- Authors: Tshabuse, F. , Pretorius, J.H.C.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Predictive , Preventive , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/363275 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214779 , uj:21323 , Citation: Tshabuse, F. & Pretorius, J.H.C. 2016. Applying preventive and predictive best practice on plant maintenance.
- Description: Abstract: Quite often in the industrial environment engineers are required to justify the addition or change of equipment when companies venture into investing in capital to increase production capacity or improve efficiency. Aged and outdated machinery and equipment are at times not economical to re-fabricate due to the improvement in manufacturing methods and obsolescence of old technology. Maintenance of machinery is often not done as it should be to achieve optimum availability where policies don’t exist. Technological improvement has resulted in less robust, advanced and often more complex designs where modern technology replaces older designs making the old designs more expensive to produce in some cases. As a consequence the re-fabrication of old equipment becomes difficult to justify with the high cost. The maintenance cost of previous equipment also does not compare to modern equipment and negatively affects the competitiveness of organisations against their peers that utilize modern methods. The solution to staying competitive is to re-design, upgrade equipment, change maintenance policy or introduce technology. This research will highlight methods that can be utilized to ensure that the reliability of equipment remains at an acceptable level and also show evidence of improvement in reliability of equipment due to re-design and through continuous improvement initiatives. A case study for design and continuous improvement efforts with primary and secondary data sourced from Everite Building Products a manufacturer of fibre cement products is used and presented. The results confirm that the sustained reliability of equipment depends on the efforts by the user to keep equipment reliable through methods supporting predictive and preventive maintenance.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tshabuse, F. , Pretorius, J.H.C.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Predictive , Preventive , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/363275 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214779 , uj:21323 , Citation: Tshabuse, F. & Pretorius, J.H.C. 2016. Applying preventive and predictive best practice on plant maintenance.
- Description: Abstract: Quite often in the industrial environment engineers are required to justify the addition or change of equipment when companies venture into investing in capital to increase production capacity or improve efficiency. Aged and outdated machinery and equipment are at times not economical to re-fabricate due to the improvement in manufacturing methods and obsolescence of old technology. Maintenance of machinery is often not done as it should be to achieve optimum availability where policies don’t exist. Technological improvement has resulted in less robust, advanced and often more complex designs where modern technology replaces older designs making the old designs more expensive to produce in some cases. As a consequence the re-fabrication of old equipment becomes difficult to justify with the high cost. The maintenance cost of previous equipment also does not compare to modern equipment and negatively affects the competitiveness of organisations against their peers that utilize modern methods. The solution to staying competitive is to re-design, upgrade equipment, change maintenance policy or introduce technology. This research will highlight methods that can be utilized to ensure that the reliability of equipment remains at an acceptable level and also show evidence of improvement in reliability of equipment due to re-design and through continuous improvement initiatives. A case study for design and continuous improvement efforts with primary and secondary data sourced from Everite Building Products a manufacturer of fibre cement products is used and presented. The results confirm that the sustained reliability of equipment depends on the efforts by the user to keep equipment reliable through methods supporting predictive and preventive maintenance.
- Full Text:
Design of a 10-digit inventory codification system for a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe
- Nyemba, Wilson R., Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Inventory control , Manufacturing , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/224997 , uj:22714 , Citation: Nyemba, W.R. & Mbohwa, C. 2017. Design of a 10-digit inventory codification system for a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. 14th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, GCSM 3-5 October 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa. DOI: 10.1016/j.promfg.2017.02.064. , ISSN: 2351-9789
- Description: Abstract: Lack of proper inventory control usually leads to high stock-outs resulting in ‘firefighting’. This paper looks at the engineering and technical services required to maintain smooth production with the aim of developing an inventory control system for the efficient utilization of resources. A work study was carried out at a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe followed by an analysis outlining the operations, limitations and process flows. An inventory audit provided some insights on the company’s inventory control status. A 10-digit inventory codification system was designed based on 7 rules for generic application and capability for ‘make or buy’ decisions on spare parts. A cost benefit analysis revealed that although the project would initially be costly, a reduction in inventory can be realized through removal of slow moving and obsolete stock, realizing some annual savings in the long run, coupled with an improvement in record keeping and accountability.Lack of proper inventory control usually leads to high stock-outs resulting in ‘firefighting’. This paper looks at the engineering and technical services required to maintain smooth production with the aim of developing an inventory control system for the efficient utilization of resources. A work study was carried out at a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe followed by an analysis outlining the operations, limitations and process flows. An inventory audit provided some insights on the company’s inventory control status. A 10-digit inventory codification system was designed based on 7 rules for generic application and capability for ‘make or buy’ decisions on spare parts. A cost benefit analysis revealed that although the project would initially be costly, a reduction in inventory can be realized through removal of slow moving and obsolete stock, realizing some annual savings in the long run, coupled with an improvement in record keeping and accountability.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Inventory control , Manufacturing , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/224997 , uj:22714 , Citation: Nyemba, W.R. & Mbohwa, C. 2017. Design of a 10-digit inventory codification system for a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. 14th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, GCSM 3-5 October 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa. DOI: 10.1016/j.promfg.2017.02.064. , ISSN: 2351-9789
- Description: Abstract: Lack of proper inventory control usually leads to high stock-outs resulting in ‘firefighting’. This paper looks at the engineering and technical services required to maintain smooth production with the aim of developing an inventory control system for the efficient utilization of resources. A work study was carried out at a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe followed by an analysis outlining the operations, limitations and process flows. An inventory audit provided some insights on the company’s inventory control status. A 10-digit inventory codification system was designed based on 7 rules for generic application and capability for ‘make or buy’ decisions on spare parts. A cost benefit analysis revealed that although the project would initially be costly, a reduction in inventory can be realized through removal of slow moving and obsolete stock, realizing some annual savings in the long run, coupled with an improvement in record keeping and accountability.Lack of proper inventory control usually leads to high stock-outs resulting in ‘firefighting’. This paper looks at the engineering and technical services required to maintain smooth production with the aim of developing an inventory control system for the efficient utilization of resources. A work study was carried out at a tube and pipe manufacturing company in Zimbabwe followed by an analysis outlining the operations, limitations and process flows. An inventory audit provided some insights on the company’s inventory control status. A 10-digit inventory codification system was designed based on 7 rules for generic application and capability for ‘make or buy’ decisions on spare parts. A cost benefit analysis revealed that although the project would initially be costly, a reduction in inventory can be realized through removal of slow moving and obsolete stock, realizing some annual savings in the long run, coupled with an improvement in record keeping and accountability.
- Full Text:
Evaluating Maintenance Strategies Effectiveness on Overall Equipment Utilization
- Bupe, G Mwanza, Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Bupe, G Mwanza , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Maintenance , Equipment Utilization , Effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93052 , uj:20303 , Citation:Mbohwa, C. & Mwanza, B.G. Evaluating Maintenance Strategies Effectiveness on Overall Equipment Utilization.
- Description: Abstract: The performance and competitiveness of manufacturing companies is dependent on the reliability, availability and productivity of their facilities. To ensure the plant performance achievability, maintenance managers need to have a good understanding about the maintenance systems’ effectiveness. The company understudy had been experiencing frequent breakdowns of critical machines, which negatively affected productivity. The researchers set objectives to establish the causes of machine breakdown, determine the level of plant utilization and availability, evaluate the percentage of sales lost due to downtime and determine the level of Mean-Time To Repair (MTTR). The hypothesis tests developed were based on the mentioned objectives as the major indicators of maintenance effectiveness. Direct observations, structured interviews, company records and published work were used to collect data. Spreadsheet modelling and Mega Stat were used for analysing the data. The results came double folded indicating that breakdown maintenance was not effective as it underutilized the plant’s equipment, lowered plant availability, decreased the sales and increased the level of MTTR.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bupe, G Mwanza , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Maintenance , Equipment Utilization , Effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93052 , uj:20303 , Citation:Mbohwa, C. & Mwanza, B.G. Evaluating Maintenance Strategies Effectiveness on Overall Equipment Utilization.
- Description: Abstract: The performance and competitiveness of manufacturing companies is dependent on the reliability, availability and productivity of their facilities. To ensure the plant performance achievability, maintenance managers need to have a good understanding about the maintenance systems’ effectiveness. The company understudy had been experiencing frequent breakdowns of critical machines, which negatively affected productivity. The researchers set objectives to establish the causes of machine breakdown, determine the level of plant utilization and availability, evaluate the percentage of sales lost due to downtime and determine the level of Mean-Time To Repair (MTTR). The hypothesis tests developed were based on the mentioned objectives as the major indicators of maintenance effectiveness. Direct observations, structured interviews, company records and published work were used to collect data. Spreadsheet modelling and Mega Stat were used for analysing the data. The results came double folded indicating that breakdown maintenance was not effective as it underutilized the plant’s equipment, lowered plant availability, decreased the sales and increased the level of MTTR.
- Full Text:
Smart and strategic procurement, use and maintenance partnerships in engineering equipment for sustainable development and training in Sub-Saharan Africa using a systems thinking approach
- Nyemba, Wilson R., Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Capacity building , Engineering equipment , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/270481 , uj:28750 , Citation: Nyemba, Wilson R. & Mbohwa, Charles. 2018. Smart and strategic procurement, use and maintenance partnerships in engineering equipment for sustainable development and training in Sub-Saharan Africa using a systems thinking approach. 2017 ACRID European Alliance for Innovation (EAI) Conference. DOI 10.4108/eai.20-6-2017.2270632. , ISBN: 9781631901607
- Description: Abstract: Most engineering institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa generally suffer from the persistent shortage and lack of accessibility to modern engineering equipment for the training of engineers. The old and obsolete equipment available, invariably pose challenges on the caliber of engineers being churned out to run industries in these developing countries. Based on research carried out at four engineering institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa through data collection and analysis, a smart procurement, use and maintenance strategy in the form of strategic partnerships with industry was formulated using a systems thinking approach. This paper looks at the development of this strategy and how the proposed partnerships can help in sustainable development, capacity building and ultimately bridging the gap between industry and academia. The implementation of this novel approach at the University of Zimbabwe has brought immense benefits such as students and staff access to modern equipment and technology.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Capacity building , Engineering equipment , Maintenance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/270481 , uj:28750 , Citation: Nyemba, Wilson R. & Mbohwa, Charles. 2018. Smart and strategic procurement, use and maintenance partnerships in engineering equipment for sustainable development and training in Sub-Saharan Africa using a systems thinking approach. 2017 ACRID European Alliance for Innovation (EAI) Conference. DOI 10.4108/eai.20-6-2017.2270632. , ISBN: 9781631901607
- Description: Abstract: Most engineering institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa generally suffer from the persistent shortage and lack of accessibility to modern engineering equipment for the training of engineers. The old and obsolete equipment available, invariably pose challenges on the caliber of engineers being churned out to run industries in these developing countries. Based on research carried out at four engineering institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa through data collection and analysis, a smart procurement, use and maintenance strategy in the form of strategic partnerships with industry was formulated using a systems thinking approach. This paper looks at the development of this strategy and how the proposed partnerships can help in sustainable development, capacity building and ultimately bridging the gap between industry and academia. The implementation of this novel approach at the University of Zimbabwe has brought immense benefits such as students and staff access to modern equipment and technology.
- Full Text:
Successful outsourcing of maintenance in the mining industry : methods and principles
- Visagie, Christoffel Johannes
- Authors: Visagie, Christoffel Johannes
- Date: 2012-08-27
- Subjects: Contracting out , Maintenance , Mineral industries
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:3197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6610
- Description: M.Phil. , Production uptime and plant availability is the primary aim of present-day maintenance strategy making. In the past, this was accomplished by building in redundancies and excess production capacity, or by following an aggressive schedule to rebuild or overhaul critical systems. Both approaches are inherently inefficient. Redundant systems and excess capacity tie up scarce capital that could otherwise be deployed in a producing activity. Today we live in a world where change is not only common, but also inevitable. Mining companies and their people are all exposed to the massive scientific and technological explosion occurring and will need to adapt to be competitive or be doomed to oblivion. The mining businesses that are not prepared to change, will very quickly find that they have priced themselves out of the market and will be relegated to being dinosaurs from the past. Maintenance has undergone a metamorphosis in the past few decades and is now entrenched as a vital part of the industry. The availability, reliability and operability of assets have become imperative, demanding that maintenance methods and strategies become even more sophisticated. Excessive downtime and breakdowns of assets have become critical factors to the point of being totally unacceptable. Maintenance thus needs to become more efficient, contributing maximally to the profitability of the industry by coordinating operational readiness with production demand. The purpose of this study is to investigate the successful use of outsourced maintenance methods, principles as a way of achieving this efficiency. It furthermore seeks to identify the benefits of such an outsourcing approach to the mining industry. While a mining business can take advantage of transformational outsourcing at any point in its life cycle, "once a business leader has decided change is required, (whether, as a course correction or in response to economic cycles), outsourcing becomes a viable alternative business strategy to enable that transformation more rapidly, with less risk and with more flexibility" according to Jay Ward, from the outsourcing institute. Outsourcing delivers value beyond cost reduction. During the outsourcing process, the maintenance organisation of a mine is really looking for results such as improvement of its profit margin, by such things as inventory reduction, increased maintenance service efficiency, reduced cycle times, reduced meantime between failures, improved operating performance, and the availability of expert skills and cutting edge technologies. The question that this dissertation seeks to answer is: "how does the maintenance outsourcing process work in the new maintenance world, and what and how much maintenance should the mine management outsource?" The study focuses on the changing world of maintenance, maintenance policy making and World Class best practice maintenance strategies. It looks for ways of closing the gaps that exist in present maintenance practice in mining organisations, through maintenance outsourcing as one of the "best practice" drivers through which such organisations can position themselves for present economic realities. It thus serves to guide the individual mining business to be able to chart its own course to achieve flexibility and accelerate its business in ways that consistently minimise risk while delivering value to stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Visagie, Christoffel Johannes
- Date: 2012-08-27
- Subjects: Contracting out , Maintenance , Mineral industries
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:3197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6610
- Description: M.Phil. , Production uptime and plant availability is the primary aim of present-day maintenance strategy making. In the past, this was accomplished by building in redundancies and excess production capacity, or by following an aggressive schedule to rebuild or overhaul critical systems. Both approaches are inherently inefficient. Redundant systems and excess capacity tie up scarce capital that could otherwise be deployed in a producing activity. Today we live in a world where change is not only common, but also inevitable. Mining companies and their people are all exposed to the massive scientific and technological explosion occurring and will need to adapt to be competitive or be doomed to oblivion. The mining businesses that are not prepared to change, will very quickly find that they have priced themselves out of the market and will be relegated to being dinosaurs from the past. Maintenance has undergone a metamorphosis in the past few decades and is now entrenched as a vital part of the industry. The availability, reliability and operability of assets have become imperative, demanding that maintenance methods and strategies become even more sophisticated. Excessive downtime and breakdowns of assets have become critical factors to the point of being totally unacceptable. Maintenance thus needs to become more efficient, contributing maximally to the profitability of the industry by coordinating operational readiness with production demand. The purpose of this study is to investigate the successful use of outsourced maintenance methods, principles as a way of achieving this efficiency. It furthermore seeks to identify the benefits of such an outsourcing approach to the mining industry. While a mining business can take advantage of transformational outsourcing at any point in its life cycle, "once a business leader has decided change is required, (whether, as a course correction or in response to economic cycles), outsourcing becomes a viable alternative business strategy to enable that transformation more rapidly, with less risk and with more flexibility" according to Jay Ward, from the outsourcing institute. Outsourcing delivers value beyond cost reduction. During the outsourcing process, the maintenance organisation of a mine is really looking for results such as improvement of its profit margin, by such things as inventory reduction, increased maintenance service efficiency, reduced cycle times, reduced meantime between failures, improved operating performance, and the availability of expert skills and cutting edge technologies. The question that this dissertation seeks to answer is: "how does the maintenance outsourcing process work in the new maintenance world, and what and how much maintenance should the mine management outsource?" The study focuses on the changing world of maintenance, maintenance policy making and World Class best practice maintenance strategies. It looks for ways of closing the gaps that exist in present maintenance practice in mining organisations, through maintenance outsourcing as one of the "best practice" drivers through which such organisations can position themselves for present economic realities. It thus serves to guide the individual mining business to be able to chart its own course to achieve flexibility and accelerate its business in ways that consistently minimise risk while delivering value to stakeholders.
- Full Text:
Value-in-use sustainability factor as a driver for asset management of road transport infrastructure
- Okoro, Chioma S., Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, J.N.
- Authors: Okoro, Chioma S. , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, J.N.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Maintenance , Management , Roads
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278526 , uj:29891 , Citation: Okoro, C.S., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J.N. 2018. Value-in-use sustainability factor as a driver for asset management of road transport infrastructure.
- Description: Abstract: Infrastructure is critical in supporting economic security and societal wellbeing. A sound road network, for instance, is an essential part of any country’s socio-economic fabric. However, the development of sustainable road infrastructure has been largely driven by environmental requirements as well as economic necessity. The experiences and satisfaction of users and the consequent value ascribed to the usage of road infrastructure have not been accorded reasonable attention. The current study examines the concept of value attributable to road infrastructure through its usage. A review of related literature was conducted using articles from journals, conference proceedings and from databases including Google, Taylor and Francis, ASCE Library, and Science Direct. Synthesis was done using thematic analysis. The study found that value is attributable to the experience of users and this depends on the condition of roads. Hence, maintenance of roads is paramount to sustain value. A conceptual model for value-in-use sustainability of roads was developed. The study recommends that more attention should be given to the experience of users while making use of the roads, as opposed to the monetary value of the roads only. Moreover, consideration of users’ experience will invariably drive demand for travel and bring about increased monetary returns. Therefore, the study highlights the import of the value-in-use concept, and creates more awareness about the conditions that invariably contribute to this value and thus transport managers and policy makers need prioritise asset maintenance and management even during planning.
- Full Text:
Value-in-use sustainability factor as a driver for asset management of road transport infrastructure
- Authors: Okoro, Chioma S. , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, J.N.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Maintenance , Management , Roads
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278526 , uj:29891 , Citation: Okoro, C.S., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J.N. 2018. Value-in-use sustainability factor as a driver for asset management of road transport infrastructure.
- Description: Abstract: Infrastructure is critical in supporting economic security and societal wellbeing. A sound road network, for instance, is an essential part of any country’s socio-economic fabric. However, the development of sustainable road infrastructure has been largely driven by environmental requirements as well as economic necessity. The experiences and satisfaction of users and the consequent value ascribed to the usage of road infrastructure have not been accorded reasonable attention. The current study examines the concept of value attributable to road infrastructure through its usage. A review of related literature was conducted using articles from journals, conference proceedings and from databases including Google, Taylor and Francis, ASCE Library, and Science Direct. Synthesis was done using thematic analysis. The study found that value is attributable to the experience of users and this depends on the condition of roads. Hence, maintenance of roads is paramount to sustain value. A conceptual model for value-in-use sustainability of roads was developed. The study recommends that more attention should be given to the experience of users while making use of the roads, as opposed to the monetary value of the roads only. Moreover, consideration of users’ experience will invariably drive demand for travel and bring about increased monetary returns. Therefore, the study highlights the import of the value-in-use concept, and creates more awareness about the conditions that invariably contribute to this value and thus transport managers and policy makers need prioritise asset maintenance and management even during planning.
- Full Text:
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