Achieving culture change in an integrated steel works rolling mill

Abstract

The structural sections market is currently one of the most competitive sectors in world steel. Lackenby Beam Mill, a major supplier of heavy sections, invested in a high technology mill in 1991 to satisfy ever more demanding product quality and customer service requirements. One key aspect of the new mill operation was to reduce roll build-up times from 18 hours to 3 hours in order to offer more frequent rolling and a wider product range.

This paper highlights the strategy and training process devised and implemented to produce multi-skilled personnel, working successfully in self-managed teams and the associated key development of working team leaders to exploit capabilities of the new technology in the roll preparation area. Using both in-house and external modules, with continuous assessment, review and modification at each stage, the 3 hour roll build up has been achieved.