It has been a few weeks but it is again time to update the world on where we are. First and foremost, we are still alive. No more trips to hospitals (fingers crossed) despite some really mad drivers in parts of Europe.
I finished my last entry at 37,000 feet on the way to Milwaukee for the first GBI Asset Optimization Conference. Well the conference came and went and I must say it met my expectations. We budgeted on 75 people, we had 72 attend from 7 different countries and two who had applications for US visas rejected. One from Morocco...Hmmmm and I don’t know where the other rejectee came from. We had a Platinum sponsor, two gold sponsors and a silver sponsor. These companies underwrote the success of the conference and I want to make special mention of them.
Flanders Electrical - Platinum Sponsor. Thank-you for coming on board and making the conference a success. If you are not aware of it you need to make yourself familiar with their automated drilling system ARDVARC. It is very impressive. That is of course on top of everything else they do.
P&H - Gold Sponsor. I owe a debt of gratitude to P&H. Jeff Roschyk and his team in Milwaukee were helpful and supportive beyond what I expected. Not just practical support but Jeff also gave me emotional support when I needed it. Doing business with them was a pleasure and I am sure you would find the same thing.
VR Steel – Gold Sponsor. Whenever you are talking about productivity VR Steel are normally not far away. They understand the value of productivity and have always tried to add value. Consequently, they were more than happy to support this conference and align their brand with asset optimisation.
Red Button Group – Silver Sponsor. They will play an important role in the mining industry in the years to come. In addition to their cost database they are smart and understand producing value-adding outcomes.
So we had two sponsors from the US, one from Australia and one from South Africa. I should also add Duratray who sponsored the satchels. The one thing in common with all these companies is their desire to be associated with value-adding. It has been my belief for a long time that every activity on a mine must be seen as an opportunity to add value. These companies get it and conduct their business accordingly. I recommend each of them unreservedly.
The weather was good for this time of year (except Friday where the maximum outside was 3 deg C and the wind chill was -5 deg C). A very small amount of snow – barely enough to see. Inside it was warm with a great mix of new value-adding machines and ideas. There are a few people who I want to single out for mention.
Karen Trott – Was the administrative brains behind making everything work. When I was out of the picture for 2 months leading up to the week, Karen was brilliant in organising everything. Thank-you so much Karen. What a great job!
Dick Adsero – For those who don’t know, Dick is our Business Dev. Director in North America. He stepped up in the last month and got us a platinum sponsor and quite a few speakers to fill those last minute holes. He also gave a paper. We would have had a less than full room if Dick had not got people to come. You all should get to know Dick – he is a fine gentleman and mining knowledge source.
Rebecca Ten – Our multi-talented Accountant who looked after AV and presentation materials. Everything worked the way it should when it needed to. A perfect outcome thanks Bec. Bec and Karen spent the week before the conference in Milwaukee making final preparations.
Trevor Trott – For his leadership and guidance leading up to and during the week. When we needed inspiration and leadership Trevor was there. When we needed food, Trevor stepped up for us.
Jason Smith – For contributing in presenting at the conference and liaising with our South African and Brazillian attendees.
Laura Seviour, Yan Fen Li, Agnes Yue Fan and Lina Gonzales – Every time I had an urgent request for data or graphs or analysis they rose to the challenge. This was more valuable than anyone realises. Thanks ladies for your commitment.
To everyone else who stayed behind in their respective offices and field sites and kept the business running. (In particular Lea Andlovec who stepped up to run the Australian Office.) I am really sorry that everyone couldn’t attend but your support and contribution is no less valued than anyone else. We will run more Knowledge-Based Conferences and it is my desire that everyone will get the chance to attend at some stage.
Finally to my wife Judy for her support, love and encouragement. For doing all those small jobs which just take up time and being there when times were tough (and there was one very tough time during the week and plenty of difficulties). Thank-you for living mining 18-20 hrs a day. I love you.
Watch out for September 2011. Hopefully on Hamilton Island will be the next Asset Optimisation Conference. This will be the place to be with a number of suppliers already requesting participation to “release” new tools and techniques.
I was exhausted after the conference and am having some time off now. Judy and I are travelling through Europe and Great Britain. I will write about this in my next entry……soon.
I finished my last entry at 37,000 feet on the way to Milwaukee for the first GBI Asset Optimization Conference. Well the conference came and went and I must say it met my expectations. We budgeted on 75 people, we had 72 attend from 7 different countries and two who had applications for US visas rejected. One from Morocco...Hmmmm and I don’t know where the other rejectee came from. We had a Platinum sponsor, two gold sponsors and a silver sponsor. These companies underwrote the success of the conference and I want to make special mention of them.
Flanders Electrical - Platinum Sponsor. Thank-you for coming on board and making the conference a success. If you are not aware of it you need to make yourself familiar with their automated drilling system ARDVARC. It is very impressive. That is of course on top of everything else they do.
P&H - Gold Sponsor. I owe a debt of gratitude to P&H. Jeff Roschyk and his team in Milwaukee were helpful and supportive beyond what I expected. Not just practical support but Jeff also gave me emotional support when I needed it. Doing business with them was a pleasure and I am sure you would find the same thing.
VR Steel – Gold Sponsor. Whenever you are talking about productivity VR Steel are normally not far away. They understand the value of productivity and have always tried to add value. Consequently, they were more than happy to support this conference and align their brand with asset optimisation.
Red Button Group – Silver Sponsor. They will play an important role in the mining industry in the years to come. In addition to their cost database they are smart and understand producing value-adding outcomes.
So we had two sponsors from the US, one from Australia and one from South Africa. I should also add Duratray who sponsored the satchels. The one thing in common with all these companies is their desire to be associated with value-adding. It has been my belief for a long time that every activity on a mine must be seen as an opportunity to add value. These companies get it and conduct their business accordingly. I recommend each of them unreservedly.
The weather was good for this time of year (except Friday where the maximum outside was 3 deg C and the wind chill was -5 deg C). A very small amount of snow – barely enough to see. Inside it was warm with a great mix of new value-adding machines and ideas. There are a few people who I want to single out for mention.
Karen Trott – Was the administrative brains behind making everything work. When I was out of the picture for 2 months leading up to the week, Karen was brilliant in organising everything. Thank-you so much Karen. What a great job!
Dick Adsero – For those who don’t know, Dick is our Business Dev. Director in North America. He stepped up in the last month and got us a platinum sponsor and quite a few speakers to fill those last minute holes. He also gave a paper. We would have had a less than full room if Dick had not got people to come. You all should get to know Dick – he is a fine gentleman and mining knowledge source.
Rebecca Ten – Our multi-talented Accountant who looked after AV and presentation materials. Everything worked the way it should when it needed to. A perfect outcome thanks Bec. Bec and Karen spent the week before the conference in Milwaukee making final preparations.
Trevor Trott – For his leadership and guidance leading up to and during the week. When we needed inspiration and leadership Trevor was there. When we needed food, Trevor stepped up for us.
Jason Smith – For contributing in presenting at the conference and liaising with our South African and Brazillian attendees.
Laura Seviour, Yan Fen Li, Agnes Yue Fan and Lina Gonzales – Every time I had an urgent request for data or graphs or analysis they rose to the challenge. This was more valuable than anyone realises. Thanks ladies for your commitment.
To everyone else who stayed behind in their respective offices and field sites and kept the business running. (In particular Lea Andlovec who stepped up to run the Australian Office.) I am really sorry that everyone couldn’t attend but your support and contribution is no less valued than anyone else. We will run more Knowledge-Based Conferences and it is my desire that everyone will get the chance to attend at some stage.
Finally to my wife Judy for her support, love and encouragement. For doing all those small jobs which just take up time and being there when times were tough (and there was one very tough time during the week and plenty of difficulties). Thank-you for living mining 18-20 hrs a day. I love you.
Watch out for September 2011. Hopefully on Hamilton Island will be the next Asset Optimisation Conference. This will be the place to be with a number of suppliers already requesting participation to “release” new tools and techniques.
I was exhausted after the conference and am having some time off now. Judy and I are travelling through Europe and Great Britain. I will write about this in my next entry……soon.
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