South African Forestry Operations Outlook the human factor as the major challenge for mechanization

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South African Forestry Operations Outlook the
human factor as the major challenge for
mechanization and outsourcing in our industry
D. Längin, October 2008
2
Overview
? Status quo 2008 ? Where are we heading? ?
Discussion and conclusion
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Forest production factors
Heinimann, 2000
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Harvesting methods/systems in SA


Warkotsch, 1986
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Harvesting Systems in SA 2007


Längin, Oberholzer, Ackerman, 2007
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Mechanization in SA
?
?
South Africa
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The Vision
Vision of future semi-automated logging
systems Fryk Kaarnametsa
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Outsourcing of operations in SA
of outsourcing in South Africa

Längin Ackerman, 2007
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FTS 2007 survey results
Most pressing challenges and problems from a
contractor perspective A. Rates, contracts,
negotiation costing B. Relationship grower
contractor C. Growers problems effecting
contractors operational aspects D. Labour
workforce
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The biggest challenge labour
Längin Ackerman, 2007
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HIV infection in Africa
Aldhouse, P. 2007, HIVs killing fields. New
Scientist 195(2612) 6-9
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Strategic questions

• Who will log in future? (Outsourcing versus own
  operations)
• Mechanization of forest operations?
• Human aspects?(workforce, land ownership, social
  responsibility)

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Where are we heading?
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Delphi study

• 2008 Delphi study
• Research and development needs in SA
• Past and future drivers of change in FE
• Future harvesting systems in SA
• Future developments in outsourcing

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Change factors in SA forestry until 2020
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FE change factors during last 10 years
South Africa
International
1 factor of highest importance
1 factor of highest importance
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FE change factors over next 10 years
International
South Africa
1 factor of highest importance
1 factor of highest importance
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Mechanization when?
When will mechanization in forestry operations
become dominant in SA?
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Impact of mechanization?
What will be the impact of mechanization on ..
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Required action for mechanization
Action required to make mechanization work in
SA? 1 highest importance
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Outsourcing trends
of outsourcing in South Africa


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Developments in outsourcing
How will the role of harvesting and transport
contractors evolve during the next decade?
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Conclusion
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Human challenges for mechanization

• Productivity drivers in mechanized harvesting
  systems
• compartment conditions (e.g. slope)
• tree size
• ..
• operator skills
• operations management

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Education, training and skills ..
Foresters ? Harvest planning for mechanized
operations ? Management of contractors ?
Harvesting Systems costing Forest Contractor ?
Contractors mind shift required (from manual
to mechanized operations management) ? Sound
operator training approach ? Active and improved
management of productivity drivers ? Shift
systems design ? Remuneration of
operators Machine operators ? High skills level
required for machine operators ? Operator wellness
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Shift systems design

• Single shifts
• Multiple shifts
• Better utilisation of capital, but the number of
  shifts in 24 hours is the big question?
• Nightshift productivity 50 below day shift (SA
  Mining research)
• Split shift (two operators sharing one shift)
• higher labour costs
• 20 higher production (Canadian research)
• Job rotation
• Taking responsibility for own work quality, e.g.
  Harvester / Forwarder

24 November 2009
NAME OF PRESENTATION
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Outsourcing of operations
- Research - Innovation - Development - Training
Forest Grower
controlregulate
deliver
Forest Contractor
Human resource / labour force
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How to meet current challanges

• Invest in innovative harvesting systems and
  encourage contractors to buy in.
• Own operations ..
• Improve harvest planning.
• Match harvesting systems with logging chance
  factors (not the other way round).
• Take responsibility and initiative to reinstate
  Forest Engineering research, development
  capacity building in South Africa.

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How to meet current challanges

• Encourage application of technological advanced
  innovations in forest operations.
• Reassess productivity in current operations.
• Ensure a sound understanding of productivity and
  cost drivers in mechanized operations.
• Ergonomics and labour aspects (wages, health and
  safety, training skills development)
• Focus on improving the supply chain, from stump
  to mill.

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Thank You !