The Engineering Operative
Roger Landman is a Product Management Business Analyst at SYSPRO. He is a registered professional engineer and holds an MBA focussing on Operations and Strategy. Roger is a specialist in the operations field after having worked in a number of industries all around the globe. With his skill in operations, he became a corporate trouble-shooter for underperforming businesses, and eventually began his own consultancy specialising in this. His passion remains Lean Manufacturing. In his off time, Roger keeps himself busy running a farm and taking care of his horses and beagles.
The Industrial Machinery and Equipment market is all about machines – designing, making, modifying, selling, and using machines. But behind these machines, like the automobiles we see on the road, are the machines that made the parts that became the automobile…and behind those machines sits an even bigger machine. (more…)
Every business leader understands the importance of a sound strategy to take their business to the next level. Developing this strategy requires a close analysis of the business and a keen understanding of the key drivers. But knowing what to analyse is sometimes tricky. (more…)
Hard to believe that there are over 100 000 information security breaches at listed companies every day. South Africa has the benefit of the King Commission into Corporate Governance (or as it is described – Responsible Corporate Citizenship). This commission has progressed all of the way to King IV, or the 4th commission into Corporate Governance. (more…)
The incidence of serious food poisoning outbreaks is increasing globally, with more and more significant cases occurring more frequently around the globe. Most recently, South Africa experienced the world’s worst Listeria outbreak, killing over 70 people. The regulators’ immediate response was to target “suspect” businesses, and this led to the entire food and beverage supply chain having to review their processes. (more…)
The Industrial Machinery and Equipment (IM&E) manufacturing industry faces some unique challenges, many of which have been around for some time. While generic ERP systems may be adequate for simpler manufacturing situations, IM&E requires a solution with strong capabilities for complex equipment specification and production, comprehensive quoting and estimating, integrated quality management, and meticulous traceability. (more…)
Compliance, traceability, information security … just a few of the buzzwords that have become part of the vernacular of almost every industry in recent times. Specific industries, such as food and beverage and packaging, have extremely onerous regulatory frameworks in which they operate. As an ERP solution provider, our environmental scanning often raises some interesting questions. (more…)
There is no doubt that the packaging industry is a complex spider’s web of intertwined uses across a broad spectrum of subsections. However, environmental issues and new material developments are becoming big drivers of growth right across this complicated industry. (more…)
As the water situation in the Western Cape that I discussed in my previous blog deteriorates, and farmers and food suppliers prepare for the worst, a definitive survival plan is vital for Food & Beverage companies. Tough times call for tighter controls and greater transparency. Nothing provides this better than an effective business system tailored to your business. (more…)
Residents of the South African province of the Western Cape are still coming to terms with the reality of water ‘load shedding’ imposed since last month in parts of the province. Rationed water for personal hygiene as well as drinking and cooking purposes is very much a reality now. But limited water is not the only thing impacting putting food on the table. The [...]
If you are a food manufacturer, you have probably pondered this critical question more than once: “Do I have the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure I am able to seize new opportunities and grow at a successful rate?” These days, food and beverage companies are facing tougher challenges than ever before. The food industry has become increasingly complex for manufacturers to navigate and remain [...]
