HERA is seeking expressions of interest from members who would like to be on an Advisory Panel for heavy engineering industry development.
This objective of this panel will be to provide sound advice and counsel on the future direction for general heavy engineering such as in the petrochemical, marine or transport industry (but with lesser focus on steel construction which already has its own panel) and will be closely linked to our Industry Development division.
The panel via its representatives will respond to our associations strategy set by our Executive and inform on industry issues and technical development that are of critical priority and research relevance for us to focus on.
The HERA Industry Development panel complements the Steel Research panel which covers steel construction, and the Welding Centre covering welding interests.
All three Panels prepare recommendations for our Executive to consider.
The Industry Development division successfully ran a similar group for the past four years in its joint venture based AGGAT research program called the Technical Advisory Board. They were responsible for the technical assessment of it’s research projects, providing direction and advice which worked well for both research and industry teams involved.
With the ending of this program scheduled for December 2017, there is an identified need in our strategy to comprehensively review our industry development activities – resulting in the call for a wider Industry Advisory Panel to be made. This will involve assessing the appetite of our member companies for future growth in their business through innovation.
A proposed direction forward
In today’s commercial environment continuous innovation in business has become crucial for growth and much more so for survival. With rapid changes in ways of doing business and in the business environment itself, firms will do well to adapt accordingly.
Our general non-steel construction related heavy engineering industry has been facing a downward spiral in business from market impacts for some time now. Where those who haven’t managed to adapt to their new paradigm have unfortunately had to shut shop.
A shift in our mindset is seen to be critical on a first principle basis to ensure future growth and survival which requires us to put a greater emphasis on long term benefits. This will undoubtedly need to be supported with the right level of motivation, effort and set of skills to get us there.
Questions on what are the right tools and projects to invest in to get us there and what kind of training in skills is required to enable our member companies to weather the next downturn will need to be answered. How do we know where our capabilities and skills sit against best practice?
Answering these questions adequately can help gear ourselves up for our future.
In our role as the catalyst for innovation, we see a critical need to assess as well as prepare our industry for future business growth. Leveraging benefits from new business opportunities can be maximised with better capabilities to manage them and a better understanding of required business practices.
A direction forward has been proposed in the form of a business research programme that would align with this vision and achieve it through the following objectives:
- Increase the degree of ownership of products and IP in member companies. A series of collaborative interactions between HERA and members via workshops and/or one-on-one sessions will be necessary as will the counsel of the industry advisory panel.
- Increase long term thinking and vision setting capability that enables member companies to adapt to their new market paradigm. This is easier said than done and will need significant initiative and motivation from senior management of member companies themselves. Once again, the proposed Industry Advisory Panel will be sought for their advice.
Panel terms of reference
The panel’s draft terms of reference are as follows and are intended to be reviewed by the Panel at its first meeting:
- Review HERA Strategy in the context of HERA Industry Development Activities
- Develop, review and prioritise research and business development proposals
- Make recommendations as to HERA Industry Development division activities and future development
Are you interested in being part of our industry transformation?
Your contribution will benefit not only the industry as a whole, but your company as well as you’ll be involved in business development upskilling and networking processes tailored to your industry. We also see this as a valuable work experience for your own career path development.
The Panel is expected to meet once a year – however in the set up phase additional meetings will be required. The time contribution is expected to be volunteered but we will pay associated travel expenses.
Please email in confidence to either Industry Development Manager Dr Boaz Habib or HERA Director Dr Wolfgang Scholz.
Expressions of interest close 15th October 2017 and final panel composition decided by our Executive.
Update shared by our Manager Industry Development Boaz Habib