Materials Technology Institute Strategic Plan for 2011, 2012 and 2013

Transcription

1 Materials Technology Institute Strategic Plan for 2011, 2012 and 2013 Final Revision March 2011

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS About MTI... 1 History of MTI... 1 Scope... 1 Vision... 1 Mission... 1 Values... 2 Benefits of Membership... 2 Resources Provided to Member Companies... 3 Strategic Goals for 2011, 2012 and i

3 About MTI The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) is an international network of materials specialists that resolves technical, materials-related problems of common interest to processing industries. MTI s member-led activities produce practical, non-proprietary solutions that member companies may incorporate into their unique operations to enhance efficiency, safety, sustainability, reliability, and profitability. Through these activities, MTI strives to realize a vision to be the process industries first choice for materials technology solutions and networking. MTI, with its 50-plus members, is a one-of-a-kind, not-for-profit organization with open membership. History of MTI Five engineers from Monsanto, DuPont, and Union Carbide conceived an organization to address the problems of common interest to processing industries. Many companies were wasting precious resources conducting similar research and learning the same lessons. Two years later in 1977, sixteen companies joined forces to form the Materials Technology Institute. By cooperating, companies are saving engineering time and money and preventing mistakes. Today, over 50 companies benefit from MTI resources and the results from hundreds of projects. Scope MTI addresses the selection, design, fabrication, testing, inspection, assessment, and performance of construction materials used by our members. MTI serves the following processing industries: Alloy, Material, and Equipment Suppliers Biotechnology Chemical production Desalination Engineering companies that are service providers Environmental services Food processing Mining / tar sands and oil shales Pharmaceuticals Pulp and paper Power generation Petrochemical production Primary metal production Semi-conductor manufacturing Syngas production Synthetic fibers Other processing industries Vision MTI will be the process industries first choice for materials technology networking and solutions. Mission MTI maximizes member asset performance by providing global leadership in materials technology to improve safety, reliability, sustainability and profitability. 1

4 Values Participation among MTI members is guided by our core values. These values have contributed to our success for over 30 years. Openness. Addressing non-proprietary issues that can benefit the entire materials technology community. Diversity. Welcoming processing companies of all kinds, sizes, and geographic locations to join. Responsiveness to members. Setting priorities based on member companies needs and directives and updating those priorities over time. Equality of access. Providing equal, open member access to MTI s resources and expertise. Value and cost-consciousness. Serving as good stewards of member investments while leveraging additional funding whenever possible. Credibility and expertise. Attracting and retaining world leaders in their fields of expertise that can help solve problems on the cutting edge of materials science and technology. Benefits of Membership MTI s role is increasingly important as materials options expand in number and complexity and as shortages of trained staff constrain operations. Through membership, companies gain the knowledge they need to better develop, manage, and maintain green-field and retrofit construction projects, leading to greater efficiency, safety, reliability, sustainability and profitability. Benefits: Rapid and efficient solutions to problems Access to an expertise-based network that includes some of the world s foremost materials technologists for immediate and vetted consultation A pool of cooperative research funding that multiplies the collected membership dues An opportunity to select, scope, and lead projects conducted by others Privileged access to internally developed information and project output A searchable database of more than 30 years of Forum questions and discussion In addition, MTI helps member companies achieve bottom-line savings by transferring existing knowledge into commonly used practices, conducting technology evaluation studies, and providing access to a network of materials experts to help with urgent problems. The representatives of member companies who participate in MTI activities help to raise the knowledge base among diverse plant staff, and often become the in-house expert (i.e., the goto person ) for materials technology solutions. In addition, the interaction among materials specialists and the leadership opportunities within MTI enhance career development. 2

5 Resources Provided to Member Companies MTI delivers value to its members through a wide range of activities and resources, including Technical Advisory Councils (TACs) namely AmeriTAC, EuroTAC, and AsiaTAC sponsored and leveraged projects, symposiums, training, teleconferences, databases, publications, an interactive website, and many other resources. Online Technical Forum a live, ongoing question and answer (Q&A) exchange with a global network of experts to resolve urgent technical problems Searchable archive in the Q&A Forum Database, including over 30 years of lucid commentary and vetted expertise. Technical Advisory Council (TAC) meetings with networking opportunities topics for meetings are identified in the Online Technical Forum Three TACs serve the regional needs of the Americas, Europe, and Asia Comments are traded frankly without compromising proprietary information The focus is on practical information rather than theoretical postulation. Project Development Committees (PDCs) identify and develop project ideas and ensure alignment with member needs and the MTI mission PDCs often meet in conjunction with TAC meetings Projects practical, generic, non-proprietary studies Selected and scoped by member-led project teams Performed by contractors, national laboratories, and universities Contracts are managed and carefully monitored by specialists on MTI s staff Website to distribute information and serve as the primary tool for information exchange and knowledge transfer Information on completed projects Plans and interim reports on active projects Minutes from all meetings Directory of members The aforementioned TAC forum archive Products Technical publications of project results Software Videos Training Newsletter Scholarships Strategic Goals for 2011, 2012 and 2013 To realize its vision, MTI must capitalize on new opportunities that propel member companies to overcome key challenges such as those outlined in the separate document Challenges Facing the Processing Industries in 2011, 2012 and MTI aims: To resolve technical, material-related problems of common interest to processing industries. To help member companies gain the knowledge they need to better develop, manage and maintain or retrofit existing facilities and green-field construction projects. 3

6 To help member companies achieve bottom-line savings by transferring new or existing knowledge into commonly used practices. This strategic plan introduces a set of 5 strategic goals and objectives that MTI will pursue over the next three years. How to achieve those goals is described in the Action Plan The pursuit of each strategic goal will require a well-organized, integrated approach that impacts all areas of MTI organizational and membership activities. Members will pursue activities to reach these goals over the next three years. 1. Maintain and expand membership and member services offered globally Membership grows through careful efforts to better serve the unique regional and local needs of existing international members rather than undertaking a major effort to recruit new international members. Targeted outreach will increase the number of large and mid-sized chemical producers and processing industry companies who join MTI. The organization should capitalize on its potential role to increase member services, gain greater exposure (such as by providing training), help members identify technology solutions and innovate. Pursue smart growth and both globalize and localize activities. 2. Define and promote the value of MTI and its work MTI clearly defines its value in order to retain its current membership as well as to appeal to potential new members. MTI promotes its value in journals and in meetings. These activities raise awareness of the value of MTI membership and scholarship. Expanding nonmember access to the MTI website will enhance awareness of MTI as a source of materials expertise and increase the visibility of the MTI website content in Google and other search engines. 3. Increase the effectiveness of knowledge transfer by making information more accessible to members and easier to share Enhancements to the website and Forum will help members collaborate and share information across the barriers of language, time zones, and geography. A more userfriendly website might include live chat features, user-friendly information and navigation, and improved search functionality. Translation efforts and the selection of a common language for EuroTAC and AsiaTAC meetings would facilitate information-sharing at meetings and through the website and Forum. 4. Improve project identification, selection, and implementation A new roadmap or other strategy would guide the scope of projects pursued. Brainstorming sessions facilitate project identification. Checklists ensure that projects are only selected if they have broad appeal and industry support. Improved processes for project approval would ensure projects are a wise MTI investment that are completed on schedule and within budget. Champions might be trained in each TAC to better lead projects and drive them to successful completion for the best value to members. 5. Ensure MTI staff succession Leadership and staff succession planning will ensure continuity for the MTI organization and build leadership talent from within MTI. 4