The National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN) has established the Metals Casting Advisory Forum at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The forum will be made up of representatives of industry associations, academia, and relevant government departments, and has the objective of advising and guiding the plans of the NFTN and CSIR to best meet the needs of the castings and related industries.
The forum is chaired by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), with an industry representative to be chosen as co-chair.
Julie Wells, business support and stakeholder manager at the NFTN, says that the purpose of the Advisory Forum is to provide input to the NFTN and CSIR in support of the development of strategy and activity, including the identification of future priorities and opportunities to be pursued under each year’s business plan. But an equally important objective of the forum is to promote alignment and partnership.
“We believe that, if the Advisory Forum garners support and participation from across the sector and across the research and innovation value-chain, then there exists an opportunity to align activities of the various organisations that are supporting the sector and avoiding duplication, promoting partnership and filling gaps in a coordinated manner,” said Wells.
According to Wells, members of the Advisory Forum are expected to provide high-level leadership support and input, by attending and contributing to bi-annual meetings, and by reading and commenting on shared plans. Recently, the Forum was convened to provide input on the establishment of an RDI centre for castings at the CSIR.
Wells further adds that membership is purely voluntary, and there will be no remuneration or compensation for time.
“We have already established a strong collaborative relationship with industry associations. Participation from the Manufacturing Circle, University of Johannesburg, South African Institute for Foundrymen, Aluminium Federation of South Africa, and other associations have been received. However, we want to clarify that this is not exclusive and that we encourage participation from more associations,” says Wells.
Much of the Forum work will occur in the working groups, which are set up to advise on skills development, research and development, market access and localisation, and efficiency and compliance in the sector.
“To get started, we will establish the Skills Development Working Group and the Research and Development Working Group.”
Research and Development Working Group
The Research and Development Working Group will be led by NFTN RDI Manager Sandy Majatladi, supported by CSIR Advanced Casting Technologies Research Group Leader Dr Sagren Govender.
The group will focus on developing an RDI strategy for the casting sector. Immediate activities include the establishment of the physical Foundry Technology Centre and the identification of partnership projects in the automotive and rail sectors.
Skills Development Working Group
The Skills Development Working Group will be led by the Skills Development team under the leadership of NCPC-SA Skills Development Manager Wynand van der Merwe. The group will focus on identifying, promoting, and supporting existing skills development solutions and training interventions that would effectively address the scarce skills needs of foundries.
Industry participation
The expertise, insight, and experience of industry associations and representatives will add significant value to the ongoing mission of the NFTN to help bring about a more sustainable foundry sector in South Africa.
Organisations that wish to share their valuable expertise or believe that there is an expert in this area who would add value to the working group, from within or external to your organisation please contact the NFTN at nftn@csir.co.za.
“Your input will be used to ensure that the NFTN and the CSIR continue to meet the needs of the casting industry at large,” concluded Wells.
