Gulf Construction Online - Ducab production increases 30 per cent

Cables & Telecommunications

Ducab production increases 30 per cent

01 August 2002

Dubai Cable Company (Ducab) of the UAE has recorded a 30 per cent increase in production levels across the entire product range and more than doubled the production of medium voltage (33kV and 11kV) cables in the second quarter of 2002, compared to the corresponding period last year.

The impressive performance is the result of several initiatives taken by the management to enhance working practices within the company in addition to extensive investment in recent expansion schemes, according to the manufacturer.

Ducab has also linked the results from the various quality management programmes to its existing annual profit-sharing scheme and production incentive scheme for employees in order to stimulate greater employee loyalty and commitment.

"An overall production increase of 30 per cent is a remarkable achievement indeed, and a tribute to the commitment and dedication of our employees," says Ducab managing director Colin Paskins. "The staff have combined their skills with the capabilities of the new equipment and implemented the new management schemes well to put up an impressive performance that is reflected in this dramatic increase in production."

As a result of two major expansions carried out in 1999 and 2001, Ducab has been able to make rapid strides in all aspects of production as well as introduce the new range of medium voltage cables. The expansion included installation of new machinery specially designed for improved manufacturing.

In addition, Ducab has invested in several management programmes designed to introduce improved working practices on the shop-floor. Crucial to the success of the expansion programme was the implementation of the international Six Sigma quality improvement programme, which is a measure of quality that strives for near perfection, by eliminating defects in any process, from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.

"Ducab is the first manufacturer in the Middle East to implement the renowned programme with Motorola University and has five projects running currently. Within manufacturing, the Six Sigma programme has concentrated on 'Getting it Right the First Time' and 'Bottleneck Management'," says Ducab general manager (manufacturing) Graham Cheetham. "The former has enhanced the quality aspect of the manufacturing process ensuring that the cables are of an extremely high standard. The latter enabled us to run the machines more efficiently, reduce errors and better organise men working on machines. It also involved identifying constraints in every manufacturing process and planning around it leading to an overall improvement in production levels and speeds in order to achieve faster time to market."