This was revealed to some 50 business leaders from Clarendon and Manchester by Jamalco’s Managing Director Jerome Maxwell during a meeting at the Halse Hall Great House, Clarendon last evening (Wednesday, July 1). The meeting was held to update the stakeholders about the bauxite/alumina company’s performance for the period.

Included in the achievements is the production record of 3,944 metric tons of alumina per day up from the 2009 projected daily target of 3,650 metric tons.  In terms of the quality of alumina shipped, the company met 100% of all specifications, only falling to 99% on one occasion during the six months.

Mr. Maxwell lauded the company’s workforce, noting that the excellent performance was due to their hard work.

He highlighted the achievements against the background of the worldwide industry landscape marked by record alumina inventories of over 4 million metric tons, representing some 4 months’ supply, at the London Metal Exchange, and continued low demand for the product.

As a result, production has been curtailed at all Alcoa refineries in North and Latin America and the Caribbean except for Jamalco and Alumar in Brazil. 

Mr. Maxwell explained that while there had been some increase in the price of alumina, the industry “will take time to recover.” He explained that in accounting terms Jamalco was “breaking even” and was managing its operations on a “cash basis” in order to cover the cost of its operations.

Members of the company’s executive management team also identified some of the factors contributing to the company’s success for the curious business leaders.

Refinery Manager Silvio Porto noted that Jamalco’s workforce and contractors are competent.  “We are in the game to win, not lose and when the going gets tough the competence of the team is important,” he added.

Mr. Porto also explained that the company had implemented the seven principles of the Alcoa Business System (ABS) and was on a drive achieve continuous improvement that would consistently deliver results. 

He invited the guests, including Member of Parliament for South Manchester Michael Peart and Custos of Clarendon the Hon. James DeRoux, to visit Jamalco and examine the system to determine how they might use it in their own businesses as they “prepare for the future.”

Production Manager Adlai Robinsons shared some details of ABS with the leaders noting that the system is modeled on a similar system used by Toyota. He explained the use of Gemba, which loosely translated means “go see.”  Each week the company’s leaders at various levels go to different departments “to see their processes, coach and offer advice,” he explained.

The Production Manager also explained that the company has increased its focus on regular maintenance noting that “if you look after the equipment the equipment will look after you.”

Other speakers at the meeting  included Jamalco’s Manager, Corporate Services and Government Affairs Leo Lambert who gave an update on the company’s Community Framework which rests on the four pillars of capacity building - to promote skills development in host communities; alternative economic opportunities - to foster entrepreneurship among community residents; Volunteerism - to allow Jamalco employees to give back to communities; and Sponsorship - to foster development through strategic project funding.

Jamalo’s Capital Expenditure Manager Richard Hall also spoke of the curtailment of the company’s capital project programme, noting that only those projects that are absolutely necessary for continued production will be pursued; while Lands Superintendent Evon Williams gave an overview of Jamalco’s land acquisition and resettlement programme.

The meeting was the second being hosted by Jamalco since the start of the year and is held once per quarter with the company’s business stakeholders.