News & Events

Highlights of 2005/2006

Manufacturing Competitiveness:
— Exposure to manufacturing best practices via quarterly study tours of leading KZN manufacturers, including Smiths Manufacturing, Webroy, Eddels Shoes, and Hesto Harnesses.
—   Joint executive and middle management training on Manufacturing Excellence principles and practices.
—   Intensive joint training of 11 change champions at firms - Just-In-Time, Total Quality Management, and Continuous Improvement skills transplanted.
—   Rollout of benchmarking programme identifying operational strengths and weaknesses of individual member firms versus Western Cape and international manufacturers.
—   Engagement with major South African retailers on value chain upgrading opportunities - research, workshops, and strategy sessions.
— In total, 263 participants took part in the MC programme over this period.

Human Resource Development:
—   In support of the Manufacturing Competitiveness programme, extensive MC joint training provided at middle management and supervisor levels.
—   HIV & AIDS research completed and dissemination of best practices at two workshops.
—   Targeted technical training on absenteeism, industrial relations, psychometric testing, optimal sewing methods, and more.
—   In total, 292 participants took part in the HRD programme over this period.

Stakeholder Interface:
—   Research on utility costs completed, and brainstorming workshop hosted with eThekwini municipal officials.
—   Research on illegal and under-invoiced imports completed, and brainstorming workshop hosted with South African Revenue Services (SARS) officials.
—   Training provided to SARS officials on clothing and textiles conversion processes.
—   In total, 113 participants took part in the SI programme over this period.

Highlights of 2006/2007

Manufacturing Competitiveness:
—   Middle management and supervisor training on World Class Manufacturing principles and practices.
—   Continuation of benchmarking programme identifying operational strengths and weaknesses of individual member firms versus Western Cape and international manufacturers.
—   Expert workshops involving the input of leading international experts.
—   Best practice workshops at firms, encouraging knowledge sharing between manufacturers.
—   Development and dissemination of quarterly best practice newsletters outlining the critical lessons to have emerged from the best practice and expert workshops.
—   Participation in, and facilitation of the Fast Track Initiative.
—   In total, 207 participants took part in the MC programme over this period.

Human Resource Development:
—   Change management seminars.
—   Joint training of management on how to implement best practices.
—   Workshops on attendance enhancement (absenteeism).
—   An innovation tour was hosted in collaboration with the Cape Clothing & Textiles Cluster. KZN CTC members travelled to the Cape and visited a number of leading manufacturers.
—   A supervisor skills upgrading framework was established, followed by targeted training.
—   WCM training was identified as a supervisor requirement, with a number of training interventions undertaken.
—   Technical training aimed at enabling companies to reduce the generation of waste at source using the principles of cleaner production, as well as the introduction of "Optimal Sewing Methods and Work Flow Organisation".
—   An expert in the field of Industrial Relations ran a two-day workshop on employment relations.
—   Interventions were undertaken as part of an information sharing initiative to support small, less resourced firms.
—   Information was collated on organisations that are potential training resources to the industry.
—   Information briefs were compiled and distributed.
—   The CTFL SETA was engaged to determine learnership opportunities.
—   A separate HR budget was developed for the Northern KZN Cluster members to meet their specific requirements, resulting in the completion of extensive psychometric testing, broader supervisor and production manager training, and WCM training for supervisors and management.
—   Twelve firms received "Living Positively" talks by a woman infected with HIV & Aids.
—   In total, 351 participants took part in the HRD programme over this period.

Value Chain Alignment:
—   The VCA programme replaced the Stakeholder Interface (SI) programme in 2006 in response to two of South Africa's major retailers (Mr Price and Edcon) joining the Cluster.
—   Analyses of clothing and textiles imports entering KZN and the implications for KZN CTC members.
—   Transport research, identifying opportunities for the joint negotiation of land transportation rates amongst KZN CTC members.
—   Hosting of a provincial Imbizo, in conjunction with the KZN Department of Economic Development and eThekwini Municipality.
—   Completion of buyer/merchandiser training sessions at both retailers.
—   Quarterly Retail-Clothing-Textile best practices forums.
—   Detailed international research on the development of fast fashion principles and associated best practice supply chain measurement systems through the clothing and textiles value chain.
—   Coordination of Priority Intervention Projects facilitating critical interventions by Cluster member employees who have undergone intensive training on the principles and practices of World Class Manufacturing.
—   In total, 196 participants took part in the VCA programme over this period.

Upcoming Activities for 2008

• Value Chain Alignment Quarterly Best Practices Forum at Mr Price DC - 19th November 2008
• Annual General Meeting - 27th November 2008
  
  For more information, please contact Ms. Tamlyn Williams on 031 765 3870 or kznctc@bmanalysts.com.

Recent Activities

• Cape Union Mart Meet & Greet
• Benchmarking of international clothing and textile manufacturers
• Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment training