RE: JSE issue10 Oct 2018 10:15
@Daisan: When the strike was announced I voiced my opinion that it would have presented the Maintenance manager with a golden opportunity for a range of projects. These could be from minor maintenance, eg Weld up brackets, change hoses, repair leaks etc through to the advancement of planned upgrades. I can assure you that the Engineering team will always have a wish list for unplanned maintenance time. Senior management will always have plans for opportunist advancement of upgrades.
A sudden strike does not offer the best opportunity for upgrades but any parts which may be sitting in the workshop could be fitted within short notice if the strike did not immobilise the entire operation.
Believe me I worked in an environment where a 4 hour shutdown would have been considered as a birthday present.
I stand by my guess that what was possible to be achieved would have been. There would be work that could only be done with the plant shutdown and other work which may be possible with the plant running, that may be ongoing now.
It makes sense to me to increase production at Vametco and gradually feed from Brits with it's lower cost base.
Time will tell but we have clever people in place I am comfortable with the waiting.
GLA