IMD Spring Meeting in Istanbul
Strengthening the role of the worldwide IMD network
The IMD (International MTM Directorate) within the MTM global network adopted the organizational measures for the future at its spring meeting in Istanbul on 17 May.
Representatives from 14 nations unanimously elected an extended management committee. Dr. Hans Fischer, the former President of the German MTM Association, was confirmed in his office as President of the IMD. Vice-President Chester Dobrowski (US/Canada) received a vote of confidence from the delegates too. Following a change to the rules, the management committee was expanded to include a second Vice-President. Guillaume Lachevre, who represents the French MTM Association, was elected to this position. The Executive Director manages the operating business of the IMD. Gabriele Caragnano from the Italian MTM Association was elected to this position for the fifth time in succession. He has played a major role in the work of the IMD during the past decade.
The position of Technical Coordinator on the IMD was revived. Different working groups handled these tasks in the past and Dr. Liesbeth Sackewitz, lecturer and academy head of the German MTM Association, played a part here. The strong development in terms of subject matter, e.g. with the EAWS (Ergonomic Assessment Work Sheet) tool, and international growth mean that greater specialist coordination is necessary.
MTM is aiming to provide support, particularly to young associations on technical issues involving theory and application. The brand new Managing Director of the Institute of the German MTM Association, Prof. Dr. Peter Kuhlang, was willing to take on this role.
Dr. Knut Kille, Managing Director of the German MTM Association, said that these people would also strengthen the role of the MTM Institute within the international network. He expressed his hope that all the new and re-elected officials would experience great success in handling the tasks that they face. The inclusion of Guillaume Lachevre and Peter Kuhlang on the committees is preparing the way for a generation change: Hans Fischer and Chester Dobrowski both announced that they were standing for office for the last time.
Turkey accepted into the IMD
The global MTM network is growing too. The Turkish team organized its first MTM conference on the premises of TAYSAD, an association of Turkish automobile suppliers, to coincide with the IMD meeting. About 100 participants discovered more about MTM as a method and organization and the IMD as its international umbrella association. Specialist lectures covered issues like “MTM as a process language”, “MTM and ergonomics” and “MTM & lean.”
Turkey was welcomed as a fully-fledged association during the IMD meeting; as a result, the IMD now has 15 members.
Bulgaria was co-opted as a so-called chapter (a national association in the making) with the support of the Austria MTM Association. Three other countries have been active in the market place for several years and are about to be accepted as full associations: the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), China and Portugal.
The following countries have indicated their interest in establishing MTM. Existing national associations already act at patrons and are supporting this development:
- The Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) (supported by France)
- South Korea (supported by Germany)
- Serbia (supported by Italy)
- France and Great Britain also have contacts with Malaysia and Singapore.
The important issues discussed at the IMD included the international standardization and expansion of the training program and the idea of an IE Handbook in English. The next IMD conference will take place in Birmingham on 1 November 2014 in conjunction with the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the British MTM Association.
The International MTM Directorate had a meeting in April 2012 in South Africa. The last IMD meeting in South Africa was in August 1997. The IMD meeting in April 2012 coincided with an International MTM conference titled “First Time Right.” that was also held at Amazingwe Lodge and Conference Centre in Broederstroom.
All the presentations are available as downloads on this site. The conference was attended by more than 50 delegates and was hailed by the delegates as well organised with excellent presentations and worth attending.
We thank the IMD Executive Board for their help and active support for our endeavors to promote the use and spread of MTM in South Africa.
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