References

A few examples...

During the year 2004, we performed a Self-Assessment exercise at the Ispra Site Directorate following the European Foundation for Quality Management excellence model. We took profit of the contribution of Mr D. Rotsaert of A.C.I. in both the preparation phase, when he provided a training course to the members of the self-assessment team and the execution phase when he acted as facilitator in our self-assessment exercise. His contribution to the successful conclusion of the self-assessment exercise was instrumental.

Following the results of the self-assessment, the necessity of preparing an identification chart of the processes of our Directorate has emerged. An improvement team has been created to this end. The improvement team worked along the period of January 2005 to July 2005 with the task of identifying the processes and sub-processes of the Ispra Site Directorate. Mr D. Rotsaert of A.C.I. has been invited again to assist us in this job for the whole period mentioned above. His task was twofold:

• First, to provide training on the system of government of process based organizations
• Second, to provide consultancy to the members of the improvement team on how to locate the processes of their respective units of our Directorate and how to describe accurately the process content, interfaces etc...

The consultancy and input that we received from Mr D. Rotsaert of A.C.I. turned out to be of paramount importance to the success of the ISD process identification Onze opleidingen en begeleidingen kenmerken zich door hun resultaatsgerichtheid en praktijkgerichtheid.

During the year 2003 and 2004 we entered into an improvement programme with A.C.I.
The aim of this programme was:

• Optimise utilization of available machine hours either through more throughput per machine hour or increase yield from existing throughput
• Improve Management information system and communication
• Improve KPI’s and roll out
• Improve the housekeeping and scrap
• Improve DPPM
• Improve collaboration amongst managers and supervisors (active supervision)

We are pleased to say that A.C.I. has achieved their targets.
Changes we have seen are:

• Productivity LCT has increased, achieved largely through:
• Improved Management system, developed on site together with our managers and supervisors.
• A better forecasting and planning of the workload, especially in the LCT area, combined with a tighter and more frequent follow up during the execution of the work.
• Improved communication internally within the departments, as well as between the different departments of our organisation, resulting in, among others, a better understanding at the management and supervisory level of the workings of the VCST organization as a whole.
• Our managers and supervisors did become more active and creative in finding solutions to the problems with which they are confronted daily and are more able now to set the right priorities.
• The attitude and motivation of our people, especially at the management and supervision level, did improve significantly.
• Improved housekeeping and focus on scrap

In general, we can say that our managers and supervisors have become a far more valuable asset to our organization. They are now present where the activity takes place and, in fact, most of the problems occur. They have the systems and most important the motivation and the authority to deal with those problems.
Needless to say, we will gladly recommend A.C.I. to other companies.

During the year 2004 we introduced 5S in two units of our chemical production site in Wetteren.
The aim of the programme was to improve order, tidiness and safety:

• increase consciousness
• more discipline and engagement
• less wasting
• better mentality / attitude
• Increase involvement / cooperation
• improve communication

We are pleased to say that A.C.I. has achieved their targets. The consultancy and input that we received from Mr D. Rotsaert of A.C.I. contributed to the outstanding results of many audits. We started recently the same programme in two other synthesis units.