Dubal Employee Suggestion Scheme produces another record performance

Not only was the highest-ever annual total of 19,700 suggestions were submitted to the scheme, of which a record 10,119 were implemented and awarded, but the overall employee participation rate also reached the 100% mark for the second consecutive year (i.e. each employee had at least one suggestion implemented and awarded suggestion during 2007) and the number of awarded suggestions per employee rose to 4.21.

Moreover, the audited savings potential of the suggestions implemented in 2007 amounted to a whopping Dhs18m, bringing the total savings achieved through the scheme to Dhs72m since its inception in May 1981.

These milestones were celebrated during a gala dinner, held at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai on Wednesday 19 March 2008, to which all employees were invited, along with members of DUBAL's Board of Directors, executive management and several high-level corporate guests from the region.

Held primarily in honour of those employees whose suggestions won the six different Suggestion Scheme Award categories - namely Quality, Environmental, Energy Saving, Plant Operational Security, Safety and Best Suggestion - the event also provided the perfect platform for presenting the CEO's Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Speaking at the celebration, DUBAL's Vice Chairman, H E Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, said:

'The Employee Suggestion Scheme has become synonymous with DUBAL's corporate positioning as a shining example in every aspect of our business and our commitment to excellence without compromise. The continuing success of the Scheme is due to our talented employees, whose knowledge, skills, passion and dedication DUBAL truly values'.

Abdulla J M Kalban, DUBAL CEO, echoed these sentiments, saying, 'Lots of people ask why our Employee Suggestion Scheme is so successful.

For me, the answer believe in them and value their knowledge across the spectrum, from suggestors is simple: it's because of our people … we and supervisors to area representatives and area management. It's also because the Scheme has become an integral part of DUBAL; and I am proud to say that 160,000 suggested improvements have been made during the last nine years alone!'

The Gold winner in the 2007 Best Suggestion category was 'Modified anode setting schedule for lines 1 to 4', submitted by P S Thiyagarajan and Salim Kollamparambil of Potline Operations. In the Quality Suggestion category there were two joint winners - S M Ali of Casthouse Services, for his entry titled 'Set winter and summer parameters for all degassers'; and N Bharati and Dominic Paul of Casthouse Maintenance 1, for their suggestion 'Billet log washing and modification of spray system'.

In the Environmental category, the winning entry was 'Small portable bath pouring launder', submitted by D Karkada, S Pillai and J G Rocaberte of Potline 5. N Prabhakar and S K Acharya of Casthouse Maintenance 2 took the top honours in the Safety category, with their suggestion titled 'Increasing safety standard in saw cabin'; while in the Energy category, Altaf Hussain of Desalination Operations received the award for 'Redirect the culvert outfall away from the intake'.

In the Plant Operational Security category the winning entry was 'Modified mould lubrication system for properzi caster' from D Kumar, C M Hugos and N Prabhakar of Casthouse Maintenance 2.

DUBAL has pioneered employee involvement in the UAE (and further a field) since the company's inception in 1979. As a result, the DUBAL Employee Suggestion Scheme has been used as a model by a large number of organizations, both locally and internationally.

In support of efforts to increase employee involvement in other local industrial and commercial organizations, DUBAL also took a lead role in establishing and supporting Ideas.Arabia under the auspices of Dubai Quality Group; and has been the main sponsor of annual Ideas.Arabia conference since its inception - including the 2008 event which takes place from 20 to 22 April this year.

Importantly, winning ideas from the DUBAL Employee Suggestion Scheme have also won accolades and awards in international and local competitions over the year. Those received in 2007 included:
- Performance Excellence Award, Industry Group Saving per Eligible Employee Ratio Award, and Idea of the Year Trophy in the 2006 USA Employee Involvement Association Awards
- Idea of the Year, Healthy & Safety Award, and Environmental Award in the 2007 Ideas.Arabia competition
- Environmental Trophy, Health & Safety Trophy and Annual Benchmarking Award in the 2007 Ideas.UK competition
- Performance Excellence Award, Industry Group Saving per Eligible Employee Ratio Award and two Gold certificates in the 2007 USA Employee Involvement Association Awards

The programme for this year's DUBAL Employee Suggestion Scheme Annual Awards evening also included a motivational address by Dimis Michaelidis, entitled 'The Art of Innovation: Make Creativity a Way of Life in your Organisation.' This, combined with the excellent dinner served in a celebratory atmosphere, ensured a memorable evening for everyone present.