Colin Smit, a foundry technician at MIS Engineering and a member of the New Foundry Generation Forum (NFGF), has been selected as the emerging young leader in the foundry industry for 2014. Smit was part of a select group of young foundrymen in South Africa, identified and selected by a committee that participated in a series of workshops since the launch of the NFGF in August 2013. The forum aims to develop skills in the industry by dealing with problem-solving, productivity, quality, cost and delivery improvement.

The workshops included presentations on bridging the gap from problem solving to product development, CAD & simulation – design for manufacturing/casting and advanced mould manufacturing technology. Participants then had to present and demonstrate the latest technologies that they had learnt, and how they had applied them in their own workplaces.

In delivering the winning presentation before the committee at a function held at the Vaal University of Technology, Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng, Smit highlighted the intrinsic advantages that new technology and different approaches to problem solving will have on a company’s competitiveness, and the ability to meet customer requirements. Colin’s prize, a trip to GIFA 2015, was sponsored by Ametex, the agents for Magma (GmbH) and Sigma (GmbH) software in South Africa. Colin also received VUT project support for R&D to the value of R 10 000.00.

Other participants of the NFGF were from the AIDC, UJ MCTS, Matt Cast Supplies and B&K Foundry.