9 March 2010

• Alba's pilot programme is aimed at increasing motivation and strengthening efficiency.
• The programme is expected to increase employee collaboration in decision making and developing strategy.
• The programme will offer greater potential for operational improvement.

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has initiated a new pilot programme that has been designed to further strengthen efficiency levels at the plant through increased collaboration in problem solving and idea generation, decrease of unnecessary waste and turnaround time, reduction in costs and development of bottom-up solutions.

The pilot programme, which began with the Al Faseelah and Entaj projects in October 2009, is aimed at detailed improvement in operations, procurement, sales and marketing and other areas. As a result, several initiatives have already been launched to capitalise on the potential for improvement available through this programme such as new strategies for different departments.

Commenting on the programme's potential for transforming Alba into operationally efficient organisation, Alba Chief Executive, Laurent Schmitt said:

"The programme increases employee involvement in decision making, and encourages greater collaboration in developing strategies for individual departments. Each employee works according to set targets, identifies areas for growth and improvement as well as helps in recognising unnecessary waste that needs to be eliminated. This process enhances motivation levels amongst employees and, as a result, paves the way for generating greater productivity.

We are extremely proud of the initiative taken by our employees in developing this programme, and in contributing towards strengthening Alba's reputation as a globally competitive aluminium smelter."

The pilot programme is aimed at enhancing motivation amongst employees, increasing productivity, reducing costs, and expanding efficiency levels.