Scenes from Sites – Christmas 2010

UP TO SPEED with The Alliance Group

The past 6 months has seen The Alliance Group (“TAG”) commence operations throughout all the key areas of the PNG LNG project, from Port Moresby to the Hides area and the lower southern highlands.

LABA ALLIANCE GROUP

The major contract within the project, EPC 3,(construction of the Plant Site outside of Port Moresby) was awarded to TAG and its local partner, LABA Holdings in August 2010. LABA represents the four villages in the Central Province project area; Boera, Papa, Rea Rea and Porebada.

The joint venture between the two companies is known as the Laba Alliance Group and is responsible for the Catering, Camp Management and maintenance of the 10,000 person township which is currently under construction. The joint venture was formalised with a signing ceremony and exchange of gifts in November. Marc Soipang,chairman of NCS Holdings and a Director of TAG, spoke of the role that NCS has in assisting its fellow landowner companies in developing sustainable long term businesses.

Raho Kevau, chairman and CEO of Laba Holdings, in response welcomed the opportunity to work with NCS which he acknowledged is the country’s leading service group adding that his vision for LABA is to emulate the success of NCS.

HIDES ALLIANCE GROUP

Activities in the Hides area have continued to grow with operations at Kobalu, Well Pad A and Juni all underway. The Hides Alliance Group is a joint venture between the Alliance Group and Hides Gas Development Corporation which is the umbrella group for the local Hides landowner companies.

Chairman Libe Parindali has worked closely with TAG management assisting to establish the operations.

The Alliance Group has also won the tender to supply catering and camp management services to SpeiCaPag. This company will be constructing the on shore pipeline which includes major camps, fly camps and guest houses along a 600km stretch between Kopi and Hides.

NCS continues to work closely with Alliance offering support and assistance as the company gears up for peak capacity in mid 2012. At that point the various Alliance companies will be preparing and serving in excess of 50,000 meals per day. When this is taken alongside the current NCS business it means that the combined group will be feeding more than 23,000 persons everyday.

Business SHINES in Lae with 4 new contracts

The NCS Morobe team ended 2010 catering Christmas parties for some of Lae’s premium business, and has commenced in 2011 with a ‘gift” of new clients.

Catering events like Christmas parties enable NCS staff to enjoy the “face to face” experience firsthand of our customer’s enjoyment of our food and service. Many of the usual contracts for NCS Morobe are packaged meals that are delivered to the workplace.

“It really lifts our spirits to see everyone happy and enjoying their parties” said NCS Morobe’s Area Manager John Hosea. “We see their mouths watering at the smell of fried garlic and onion wafting through the air as the steaks and sausages sizzle on the BBQ stand and we can tell they enjoy our food” he said.

“It makes it fun and satisfying for us!” he continued.

The biggest Christmas party NCS catered in Lae was KK Kingston’s celebration for 1200 staff and family, followed by a very impressive party for Nestle PNG Ltd.

In Lae: Nestle PNG Ltd, KK Kingston, Xstrata and East-west Transport will join Trukai and CCA who contract NCS to provide meals for staff every day.Our two commercial kitchens will be busy preparing and delivering over 600 packaged meals each day.

NCS innovation streamlines warehouse management

The new NCS Warehouse & Logistics Management System is now operating and streamlining operations for NCS Lihir. This system was custom designed by NCS Lihir after discovering that there was no system currently in existence that was capable of servicing the requirements of the unique way that NCS operates.

The solution was to just make our own!

“We have a unique business which relies on goods supply, both by import and sourced locally” said NCS Lihir General Manager John Honan. We bring in large volumes and need to ensure that we have an accurate way of controlling movement of food, costings and daily reporting. This system we designed has already vastly improved our operations on Lihir.” he continued.

This new NCS Warehouse and Logistics system, called Alpha 5, has been in the making for a number of years. More intensive development time was spent in design, programming and testing in the months leading up to its implementation on Lihir.

The investment into this technology development has already paid off! In the first month of activity, we have seen a vast improvement in food management costs.

KEY FEATURES OF NCS’ ALPHA 5 SYSTEM:

The system design is simple to operate manage supply, logistics and warehousing at NCS camp sites in remote locations. Some of the key features of the system include:

• Management of all forms of activity, whether it be large scale movement to a Mess or capturing beverage orders for a function.

• Monitoring movement of product transfers to any site or location.

• Tracking product shipments is a critical part of any purchasing & warehouse system. Orders can be tracked according to variables like approval status, type of goods currently in transit, expected times of arrival, names of shipping vessels, tracking details, receiving dates and actual goods received.

• Inventory costs updated on a daily basis.

• Automatic re-ordering function based on a “min/max” system. Orders are automatically generated when stock levels have drop below a minimum amount. The system identifies quantity of stock on hand, the stock value, and the supplier’s details.

• Supplier management function contains a detailed bio of each supplier that includes location details which interface with Google Maps to ensure that shipping is coordinated efficiently.

Future developments to the system will include linking up to menus, enabling the generation of orders according to what’s scheduled for mealtimes!

The benefits and efficiencies of this system are clear. NCS Warehouse Manager Tony Saldana said that the implementation of Alpha 5 has greatly improved our efficiencies in the ordering & shipping processes that we have in place.

“Compared to previous programs, it has allowed us to improve the stock control of our inventory, allowing us to track stock whether it is in a container or in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or on site.” he said

“ A key point to remember is that this system has been totally developed for NCS by relevant key personnel within NCS. We are extremely lucky to have this program in place and that NCS has provided total input during the development and implementation of Alpha 5 on Lihir”.

This new system will be rolled out at other NCS sites, starting with our operations in Lae in the coming months, something that the entire NCS Management team are eagerly waiting for!

WELL DONE NCS LIHIR. YOUR INNOVATION AND PERSISTENCE WILL RESULT IN BETTER SYSTEMS, EFFICIENCIES AND COST SAVINGS!

Golden Kina Award Winner – Air Niugini, Lihir Island

Terry Bywater, Port Manager for Air Niugini on Lihir Island and his team have been awarded NCS’ Golden Kina Award. The GKA as it’s known at NCS, is awarded 3 times a year. Nominations are received from NCS employees who wish to acknowledge individuals from other organizations who support NCS in the challenging work of delivering catering and camp services to businesses in some of the remotest locations in PNG.

The award is presented to those who share the spirit of  Meeting the Challenge – Every Day, which is NCS’ company slogan.

Nominations for Terry and his team were received by two Executives at NCS, John Honan, General Manager of NCS Lihir and Marcus Gosling, Managing Director of NCS. That’s certainly high praise!

“Operating our business in remote environments is always challenging. Transportation of people and supplies to and from site is a major challenge – and when your business is located on a remote island – you really rely on great working relationships to get you through – every day” said Mr Gosling

“In particular, our transportation challenges to and from Lihir Island by air are eased considerably by our exceptional working relationship with Terry Bywater, both on and off the island.” he continued.

“I particularly appreciate his great customer service. Terry is always there to meet and greet, being at the ready from 4:30am right through to the last flight in at 6pm in the evening, receiving and fare welling each flight with a friendly, welcoming wave.” he said

During a special dinner for the Air Niugini crew hosted by NCS, John Honan said that his nomination was based on the exceptional customer service we receive and the attitude of willingness, to work with us to find solutions.

“Air Niugini is a true business partner and Terry is a great representative. We work together and help each other when issues arise. Terry has continually helped us find solutions to getting employees to and from site when

all options seem exhausted. Thank you, and congratulations” said John.

On receiving the Award Terry said “This is truly a wonderful surprise and on behalf of my staff and myself, I thank NCS for this presentation. To accept this award on behalf of my staff, is a great honor and I could not do it without them.”

“I have enjoyed the interaction with NCS over the last 4 years and have always found them to be very professional in all aspects. Will be looking forward to building a stronger relationship with NCS in the future” he continued.

Nominate someone for a GKA.

NCS’ Golden Kina Award is just one of the ways NCS acknowledges outstanding service to our company in helping us with Meeting the Challenge – Every Day in spirit and in action.

Do you know someone who works with NCS and shares the spirit of “Meeting the Challenge – Every Day”?  Nominate them for an NCS Golden Kina Award, and tell us why you think they deserve to win!

New dining rooms open for Chinese New Year 2011

The many Chinese employed within the Ramu Nico project came together 2-3 February to welcome in The Year of the Rabbit during Chinese New Year celebrations at both Basamuk and Kurumbukari.

NCS’ Chinese Chefs and PNG national teams put together sumptuous feasts of noodles, dumplings, steamed buns and stir fried favourites, which were served in new dining room facilities at both sites.

MCC staff celebrated by playing traditional Chinese music, karaoke singing, lucky door prizes and other games to toast in this very important festive season for the Chinese.

At Basamuk, the celebrations were hosted by MCC President, Madam Luo Shu, with similar scenes up in the mountains at the Kurumbukari site with MCC’s Dr James Wang hosting his staff to a traditional feast and celebration in their newly finished dining room and facility.

R&R 2010 Presentations on Lihir

On Lihir, 66 NCS employees were the VIPs at a special presentation ceremony at the Lihir Sports Club on Friday 28 January where awards were presented for 5, 10 and for the first time, 15 years of years of continual service for NCS’ 2010 Recognition and Reward Program.

The recipients from NCS Lihir and NCS Properties were joined by their colleagues, managers and executives from Anitua and Newcrest to share in the celebrations of this great achievement.

Newcrest were thanked for their ongoing support over the years in assisting NCS in their drive to be PNG’s number 1 service company.

These sentiments were echoed by Bob Pink who spoke on behalf of Noel Foley and Newcrest who said that he was very moved to think that people had been working for NCS on Lihir for so long.

“It’s highly commendable that people have been working continually for 10 and 15 years. The work you do is extremely hard. We work together as a team and have supported each other during extremely tough times.” said Bob.

“It’s the attitude of service, working together and pitching in that makes our relationship work. That kind of camaraderie is something that we want to foster and endorse – that’s only going to continue to blossom and grow.” he continued.

2010 Recognition & Reward Program

NCS’ Recognition and Reward Program is one of the most important ways that the company acknowledges the loyalty and dedication of employees who reach 5, 10 and 15 years of continued service.

In his welcome address at the Lihir awards event on 28 January, Managing Director Marcus Gosling said that this opportunity is significant for NCS as a family, to celebrate the achievements of its most dedicated ‘elders’, particularly those achieving 10 and 15 years.

“You are a great example to your colleagues and in particular new employees. It’s time to celebrate your achievements and recognise the journey you have all made over these years.” he said.

“The strength of our company and the future we have is displayed in this commitment and shows that NCS has a future based on solid foundations. You all work very, very hard. Hard work translates into achievement and satisfaction.” he said.

Marcus went on to say that NCS has been operating now for over 17 years and this in itself is a great achievement, and we couldn’t have done it without PEOPLE.

“Success and recognition doesn’t come easy – it takes people like you to stick at it during the tough times and rise to the challenges. You olgeta namba wan.” he said.

Presentation events were held in Madang, Kaintantu, Hidden Valley, Lae, Port Moresby and Lihir acknowledging 129 employees for their service to NCS.