DUBAL continues to win international accolades

DUBAL had submitted seven entries of which four were short-listed for the final round. Of the four finalists, DUBAL won in two categories - Technology Trophy and International Trophy - against competition from global organisations such as British Gas, Barclaycards, Ministry of Defence, UK, Ricoh, Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and ST Microelectronics from the UK and the EU besides Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Emirates airlines.

The remaining three suggestions were awarded Silver certificates.

Mr. Abdulla Kalban, Chief Executive Officer, DUBAL, said: "International recognition for our suggestors and suggestions demonstrates the ability of our staff to come up with ideas to improve the processes at DUBAL. Some of these ideas even better the original equipment manufacturers processes and enable us to improve and increase the efficiency of the equipment and processes."

The winning suggestion in this year's competition was:
• Technology Trophy
'Awareness of nozzle break in Snif degasser' submitted by F. Palekar and N. Prabhakar from Casthouse Maintenance, and
• International Trophy
'Tumbler at dig-out area for cleaning soaked butts' by Satpal Singh from Process Control, Cell Relining. This suggestion has already won in the EIA competition in the US in the Environmental category for 2006.

DUBAL was also honoured with the Annual Benchmarking Award for 2006 which is based on the Participation rate, Implementation rate and Turnaround time for implementation of the suggestions.

"As we continuously embark on measures for improving our standards, it is a privilege for the company and for the employees that the name of DUBAL, Dubai and the UAE get recognized on the international arena on a continuous basis. We are confident we will stay focussed on these measures and our employees will continue to win accolades in many forums in the future," pointed out Mr. Kalban.

For the year 2005 DUBAL achieved 96% employee participation and increased the average number of suggestions per employee to four from 2.8. The employees also exceeded an ambitious target of 8,500 set for awarded suggestions.