AM-OSP

My training with AM-OSP has been an eye opener. Doing business in the manufacturing sector, they are capable of producing steel sections of various length and sections and sell it to the contractor in return of a standard fee. The standard fee, is derived from the contractor's cost savings by outsourcing the design and supply of such sheet piles.



In OSP, the engineers (they are not called engineers, but technical manager/ director/ design manager etc) sometimes have to take into account commercial accountability. (Eg. You can design for an FOS of 1.5 and loose to a bolder competitor whom adopts a FOS of 1.35 OR you can design with a FOS of 1.35 which violate the standard code of practice that states that soil structures should be given a FOS of 1.5 and close the sales.) This type of business exists conflict of interest. These design managers will have to propose a suitable length of sheet pile taking into ecomical interest and provide their services to the contractors. However, the final decision for the contractors to use the sheet piles are in the hands of the consultants, as it is the consultants whom are responsible to ensure that the temperory works/ structural works will not fail during construction. If the consultants are satisfied with the design, they will allow the contractor to proceed with the design. However, if they are dissatisfied, they will reject the design. Being a design manager in OSP, he will then counter propose another solution to win back the project, and keep proposing until he gets it. In order to have the edge in his design, he will implement all sorts of design strategies such as Tie Rod or Strutting used in combination with the sheet piles. As a designer specialising in sheet piling solution, he will also have to take into account sheet pile suitability for driving, driving equipment, corner/ turning connection, splicing, staggered arrangement, combination of pipes with sheet piles etc. With all these knowledge, he will then be able to suit it to his preferences on the design and come out with a economical design which will give him the advantage amongst his competitors.

Not only that, OSP is buying odd lengths (rejected sheet piles from AM or other manufacturers) and use it for contingency purposes. This is smart, because you are selling your toxic assets. Also, OSP is backed by ArcelorMittal, the largest steel producer in the world based in Luxembourg. This 2 reasons explains why they are capable of surviving from the Japanese competitors.

Talking about Japanese competitors, their sections are quite competitive. From my preliminary observations, the Japanese and Europeans adopts a different strategy in producing these sheet piles. For the same dimension of sheet piles say 1.5m wide, the Japanese will adopt a thicker section at lower steel strength, whilst the Europeans will adopt a thinner section at higher steel strength. Then by using the formula of Moment Capacity, Mc=pyZ where Z depends on the dimension and thickness of the section, the designer will find that the Momemt capacity will have approximate value for both Japanese and European produced sheet piles. The pros and cons of these strategies will be that the Japanese will be able to win projects in corrosive environment, however, the steel production will be more costly than that of the european because of the production cost for thicker section is higher.

Whilst for OSP contractors, it is expected from them that they can understand machinery placing, logistics and arrivals of materials, manpower efficiency as well as site conditions and solve problems arised from unforeseen circumstances. He should also be familiar with all the tests availble on different elements (CBR for Ground of Airport Highway, FDT for normal usage Highway etc) as the consultants will sometimes specify which types of tests needed to be done in order to come out with a suitable design.

Energy Booster!

For those whom have played starcraft before, you must be aware of Terran's marines special ability where when activated, the marine is capable of shooting faster than he normally does. That ability is called The "STIMPACK". I, am currently on that mode. It's not drugs ok.

This year marks the end of my University years. Although I landed not where I want to be (Shell & Schlumberger... Arrggh, screw you, I'll be back!), it is also not somewhere that I anticipated either. I'll be in Singapore to pursue my dreams and to my luck, I am invited to the company's annual dinner even before I started work, moreover, it is in PHUKET! (Ffk-ed my coursemates for not going Phuket, but happens that I am going there nevertheless!). Other than that, this year I've gone through two Annual dinners even before I graduate. This explains the temporary stimpack. Not forgetting, two other upcoming interviews where I expect to negotiate for more than RM/SGD3k pay per month! Who says fresh grad gets below RM2.5k.

Too bad my dreams for going into the consulting line (which promises a better future with IR) is shortlived. Maybe I'll be back to this line after a few years. Who knows. Can't wait for the future. Till then, Keep Motivated!