INTRODUCTION…..IA News very recently had the exhilarating experience of meeting up with Geoffrey Oh, the Managing Director of the local subsidiary of the Italian Multi-national, Metal Work Pneumatica SpA.

Mr Oh is one of the pioneers in the pneumatic field. He is no stranger to the automation industry having more than 25 years experience in the provision of technical expertise to various organizations and industries. His knowledge and experience came from previously working in other well known pneumatic companies. Besides supplying pneumatic components, Mr Oh has also been involved in several major automation projects.

All present came away from the meeting, with batteries re-energized, ready to face all difficulties ! Despite the many hilarious moments during the course of the interview, the words and thoughts expressed by the Managing Director of Metal Work Pneumatic (M) Sdn Bhd had a sharp edge to them, with oodles of common sense and inescapable logic, interspersed with purely technical information. Below is the result of that meeting with this witty character, and also some research carried out independently.

HISTORY OF A GROWING COMPANY…..

Metal Work Pneumatica SpA truly had a humble beginning, when it started off as a workshop producing push-in couplings for the compressed air industry in 1967, with just 1 employee. Once it got off the ground, however, there was no stopping the Company. In 1968 the production of fittings was initiated, and in 1975, production of air treatment units was started. On the business front, the first of many Italian subsidiaries was set up in 1982, followed two years later with the set up of the first foreign subsidiary, with the Malaysian subsidiary being founded in 2001. To verify its professionalism and care for quality, the environment and health & safety, the Company received the ISO 9001 certification in 1992, the ISO 14001 certification in 2000, and the OHSAS 18001 certification in 2007. Thus, even though the above processes have taken 41 years, it all started with that little, humble workshop, manufacturing push-in couplings for the compressed air industry !

METAL WORK TODAY…..

Metal Work today has its footprint in 46 countries, and is a market leader in the manufacture and distribution of pneumatic components for automation systems. There are more than 900 staff gainfully employed in various positions, generating Euro 129 million turnover in 2007.

METAL WORK BRAINSTORMING….

Every year, all the Managing Directors of Metal Work worldwide will converge in Italy for the Managing Directors Meeting. This meeting will be an occasion to analyse results and plan new strategies aimed at enhancing the Metal Work leadership. This is also an opportunity to share on the different markets with different problems, but sharing the same enthusiasm and the confidence that Metal Work products are winning solutions that can improve and consolidate each organization.

CUSTOMERS & PARTNERS…..

As Metal Work looks on its customers as partners, Metal Work relies a lot on feedback, to adapt its products to suit client needs, and to develop new products for different applications. Metal Work also places a priority on energy-saving, environmental issues, quality and the welfare of its staff and end-users.

Gradually but constantly, Metal Work has expanded its manufacturing and commercial organization, aware that it has a complete range of products today. With products that meet market demands, Metal Work has conquered the loyalty of its customers, creating relationships of mutual esteem.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT…..

Metal Work is a future-oriented company. Constant investment in research and the study of innovative solutions helps Metal Work conquer new markets and consolidate its global presence. There are 45 specialists employed by Metal Work SpA, who are solely engaged in Research & Development activities.

TECHNOLOGY

Metal Work represents the latest technology in the field of pneumatics, and is constantly involved in research to improve processes and pursue the elimination of waste. ‘Lean thinking’ at Metal Work means reducing waste by eliminating everything that does not add value for clients.

About 1,000 special products are manufactured every year. Metal Work directly produces more than 80% of their sales program. This is the best guarantee for quality and reduction of waste. More than 90% of parts produced are handled by automated systems.

The Metal Work group was awarded the Fluidtrans Compomac International Innovation Prize three years in succession for its products.

HUMAN RESOURCES…..

Great attention is paid to human resources. The investment in human resources, in terms of health, safety, training and all-round involvement in Metal Work business activities, have allowed the achievement of excellent results. The central role of people, human relationships and the social value of each employee represent, also for the future, a strong competitive edge for Metal Work.

THE ENVIRONMENT, QUALITY, HEALTH & SAFETY…..

Metal Work has always considered the compatibility of products and production processes with the environment as a major factor in company development. Environmental compatibility helps meet one of the end user's main requirements - the need to improve the company's image while keeping in line with the needs of society today. It also improves competitiveness and has added value.

Metal Work takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously. Implementation of the UNI EN ISO 14001, the international standard containing a set of requirements which adherents have to fulfil in order to show their commitment to the environment, actually followed on from the successful implementation of its quality system to UNI EN ISO 9001. Both of these standards adopted by Metal Work indicate the Company’s commitment to the environment and to the quality of its products. Following the implementation of both of these standards, Metal Work SpA introduced the OHSAS 18001 standard, to look after the Occupational Health & Safety Management System, which oversees all aspects of its staff and sub-contractors requirements.

METAL WORK PRODUCTS…..

A product-oriented policy involves constant technological innovation of the four families of pneumatic components in the production range:-
1) FRL UNITS
2) FITTINGS AND ACCESSORIES
3) VALVES
4) ACTUATORS

To ensure that all specifications and customer requirements are met, the Company offers a comprehensive package of TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION to accompany customer requests at every stage of the transaction.

2008 NEW RANGE OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS (PICTURES)

SERVICES PROVIDED…

As far as services are concerned, Metal Work Malaysia can design pneumatic circuits, offer technical solutions and provide training as required. Plus there are also external partners that are used for maintenance, troubleshooting, engineering design, machine building and control systems building. This allows Metal Work Malaysia to offer a complete automation solution to the Malaysian market.

MARKET PRESENCE IN MALAYSIA…
Besides having their own sales and marketing team, Metal Work has a network of dealers to achieve its marketing objectives. Some satisfied customers also help by referring other customers.

From time to time, Metal Work organizes presentations and training sessions for either new customers, or have sessions to present new innovative items to existing customers.

Other efforts to promote awareness of Metal Work brand in Malaysia include working very closely with IA Community by advertising in the Industrial Automation Directory every year. The Metal Work logo is also prominently displayed in the IA Community online portal, interspersed with occasional write ups on Metal Work.

Another close partnership is also forged with the exhibition organizer, Malaysian Exhibition Services, whereby Metal Work will participate in the Industrial Automation shows, which are held every two years.

THE ECONOMY…..

Geoffrey is expecting the Company to face a rough ride in the current crisis facing the global economy. He feels that matters will be further worsened because of the limitations imposed by this situation on consumer spending. Still, he is of the opinion that because individuals and businesses will be forced to review their role in the world’s economy, a greater efficiency will arise in all processes, and there will be less wastage of resources. He felt that the services industry would not be so badly affected, but stressed that the economic fundamentals were poor.

LABOUR…..

Although he did not see a problem in terms of labour supply, he felt that the laws of the country in relation to labour, actually inhibited expansion as far as local businesses were concerned.

SIZE…..

The current size of Metal Work Malaysia is perfect, according to Geoffrey, because it is large enough to enjoy the economies of scale, and yet small enough to be very reactive in today’s fast-changing world.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE…..

The organisational culture of Metal Work Pneumatic incorporates noble human values such as respect and honour, besides a work ethic of doing everything to the best of their abilities.

OBJECTIVES…..

Geoffrey surprised IA News with his comments on the objectives of the Company, when he said, in response to the question, “What are the objectives of Metal Work ?”, he replied, “To be where we are supposed to be”. Guess that answer needs to be thought about !

SOME THOUGHTS FROM GEOFFREY OH…..

There were many statements made by Geoffrey, which are not printable, but which had IA News staff in stitches. There were also many gems of wisdom uttered by him, and one of them was – “Malaysia will be a better place if all recognize that we are created equal”. Another was – “Discrimination = Destruction”. The staff of IA News wholly agree with him on both these sentiments.

CONCLUSION…..

IA News had a very entertaining morning talking to Geoffrey Oh, and came away from the interview thoroughly refreshed. It also appears that the Malaysian subsidiary of Metal Work Pneumatica SpA is in safe hands.

We would like to wish Geoffrey, his wife and the staff of Metal Work Pneumatic, all the best for the future.

Courtesy of MetalWork