Jaco van der Merwe

During 1998 – 2005 Jaco was employed at Columbus Steel and during this period he was involved in the following:

• (1998 – 1999) Engineer-In-Training
  Gained exposure to the different processes and equipment used to manufacture stainless steel. Also gained understanding of relationships between customers, suppliers and the functionality of the company organizational structure. He received training in the different workshops and gained knowledge of the plant environment.
  
  
• (1999 – 2001) Project and Maintenance Engineer
  Jaco’s responsibilities were process optimization, project management and maintenance optimization through Reliability Centered Maintenance. He also stood in as Plant Engineer. He was involved in the following projects:
  
  • Installing dirty oil reservoirs
    
• Manufacture and install pinion gearbox
  
• Manufacture and installation of spindles
  
• Feasibility study into installation of coolant system
  
• Installation of filter system to clean emulsion
  
  His maintenance optimization were the following:
  
• Investigate and analyze delays to improve mechanical availability
  
• Assist with breakdowns
  
• Standby as manager and mechanical team leader
  
• Manage, plan and work on shutdowns
  
• Implementation of RCM into Cold Rolling Department
  
• Facilitated 4 RCM projects and implementing the new maintenance schedules
  
• Facilitate Failure Mode Effect Analysis
  
• Facilitate cause and effect analysis to determine root causes for production and maintenance defects
  
• Investigate and solve hydraulic problems
  
  
• (2001 – 2003) Process Control and Development Engineer
  Jaco’s responsibilities were to maintain the current mathematical models used in the manufacturing process, and the development of these models to improve throughput as well as the quality control of the process. Jaco was also the acting manager of the PC&D team.
  He was involved in the following projects:
  
  • Installation of a mathematical model for setup purposes
    
  • Solve instability problems on process models
    
  • Optimize models to enhance throughput
    
  • Training of newly appointed technicians
    
  • Implement systems to monitor quality defects
    
  • (2003 – 2004) Maintenance Section Engineer
    
    Responsibilities:
    
• Mechanical and Engineering availability of three production units
  
• Liaison with the production manager to improve throughput and solve problems
  
• Report to the Plant Engineer
  
  
• (2004) Mechanical Commissioning Engineer
  Responsibilities:
  
  • Maintenance system for the new production unit
    
  • Spares classification
    
  • Oversee the building of the new plant  by contracting firm
    
  • Cold and hot commissioning of plant
    
  • Managing the new plant  with additional production units
    
  • Liaison with projects department and plant personnel during commissioning
    
  • Liaison with electrical and production engineers during commission
    
    
• (2004 – 2006) Maintenance Section Engineer – Mechanical
  Responsibilities:
  
  • Mechanical and Engineering availability of four production units
    
  • Liaison with the production manager & control and instrumentation engineer
    
  • Quality control of workmanship
    
  • Quality improvement drive on product
    
  • Chair safety meetings
    
  • Shutdown planning and control
    
  • Implementing a new maintenance system
    
  • Cost control on new budgets
    
  • Reduction drives on maintenance cost
    
  • Development of team through an active individual development programme
    
  • Report to the Plant Engineer
    
    
• Since 2006 Jaco is employed at M-Tech Industrial firstly as a Commissioning Manager where
  his responsibilities included:
  
  • Construction and commissioning of High Pressure Test Unit and High Temperature test Unit
    
  • Quality control of workmanship
    
  • Chair safety meetings
    
  • Implementation of new maintenance system
    
  • Management of maintenance
    
  • Cost control on budgets
    
  • Jaco is appointed as a Project Manager from 2008 where he is responsible for the management of multi discipline consultation projects.