Innovation, creativity are vital
Buzz words such as lean, green, innovation and creativity have become part of the vocabulary in manufacturing and industrial engineering. 'We encourage graduates and members of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) to pay close attention to these increasingly important areas,' said Winco Yung Kam-chuen, chairman of the HKIE's manufacturing and industrial division.
Professor Yung believes innovation and creativity are two main areas where manufacturing and industrial engineers can help companies achieve a competitive advantage. 'There can be no innovation without creativity, so creativity should be considered as a starting point to achieve innovation and efficiency,' said the associate professor at Polytechnic University's Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
He said the HKIE placed emphasis on lean, green and creativity by encouraging graduates to be engaged in these three areas through exposure to examples of creativity and innovation. 'To ensure Hong Kong's manufacturing companies' long-term success and sustainability it is important for manufacturing and industrial engineers to gain as much experience as they can,' Professor Yung said.
He said under the guidance of manufacturing and industrial engineers, companies were turning to technologies that eliminated waste, and those that recovered material from the product during processing. The focus is on technology that can reduce emissions and finding replacement materials that improve conservation efforts.
Manufacturing and industrial engineers, who identify and eliminate waste, can boost companies. For example, common areas involving waste include over-production, non-effective transportation, unnecessary waiting time, inefficient processing and defects.
Li Ying-hung, deputy chairman of HKIE manufacturing and industrial disciplinary advisory panel, said engineers also played a fundamental role in implementing and operating 'green' manufacturing practices. 'A lot of the decisions manufacturers make are related to cost, function, and quality,' Dr Li said. 'Now, they are adding other dimensions such as sustainability and corporate social responsibility.'
