Chairman's Corner

Professor John Evans

At the event, which was held in the Celtic Manor Resort, we were fortunate to have a presentation from Dr Arjan van den Hoogen who is Director of R & D Products and applications at the Corus Research, Development and Technology Centre in the Netherlands. Dr van den Hoogan has also been kind enough to provide an article summarising his talk at the Prestigious Event, which you can read in this Bulletin. Other key speakers at the Celtic Manor providing fascinating incites into the development of steel technology included Dr Steve Jones from TWI and Paul Levie from Corus Living Solutions. A full report on the event will appear in a future Bulletin.

In this Bulletin we are focussing specifically on Metal Processing. Inside you will find informative articles from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Cymru and Tritech Precision Products. They are both MNW members, once again emphasising the significance of membership and the role our network plays in promoting key Welsh industries.

Finding the best solutions in metals – a continuous challenge

Director R&D Products & Applications Corus Research, Development & Technology

Arjan van den Hoogen

Basic requirements for industries in Europe to survive in the long term include:

• Stable, highly efficient production processes
• “Licence to produce” i.e. acceptance by society in general
• High quality products tailored to customer’s needs, complemented by related services.
• Being close to the customer in every respect
• Continuous innovation to anticipate the needs of key markets.

Several recent surveys have shown that enhancing the innovative ability of a company is now the most important lever to increase profitability and growth. Although there are fundamental differences as regards innovation dynamics and efficiency, this pertains to every branch of industry. In their International Survey of Innovation in Steel held in 2000, McKinsey & Co and Aachen University of Technology have shown that in terms of overall business performance, the innovative companies achieve two to three times better results than their less innovative competitors.

Today, metals customers demand controlled product properties with narrow tolerances, materials tailored to their needs, minimum total cost for the desired function and product application advice and support, through to the final product or the product of their customers. And indeed, metals companies have responded to those demands. Objects like the world’s largest suspension bridges, large apartment blocks based on standard components while yet looking attractive, the all-aluminium Lamborghini Gallardo sports car, or polymer coated non-sticking food cans would not have existed without innovation in metals. However, innovation must to be aligned to company strategy as to market segments served, i.e. the standard segment, where highly efficient production process are key, the quality segment, where differentiation in product features is possible and should be aimed at, or the speciality segment, where product innovation and services are key to success.

Consequently, focusing innovation calls for clear choices, based on a view of the future. A tool that may help in this respect is business and technology roadmapping. This is a multi-disciplinary method that involves all the core business functions in creating a common understanding of which actions need to be taken, and when, to achieve an agreed business target at an agreed point of time in the future.

Recent examples that illustrate how Corus strives to meet the above requirements include:

• the Model Manager software that was developed to support the building and construction sector,
• high strength steel grades that respond to the drive from the automotive sector to reduce the weight of car bodies;
• new coating types to comply with legislation regarding recycling and the elimination of hazardous substances.

In conclusion, to gain and retain a leading position metals industries in Europe have to select their key markets and to meet their customers in those markets by offering integral solutions. Continuous innovation is a prerequisite and the commitment of capable, motivated and passionate people is crucial.