Driving capital efficiency through PAS 55

Author(s):  
P.J. Edwards ◽  
N. Bochereau
Keyword(s):  
2020 ◽  
pp. 607-612
Author(s):  
Bernard Coûteaux

This paper elaborates on the key solutions offered by De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC) to optimize the efficiency of cane sugar producing and processing facilities. In order to meet customer needs, DSEC offers proprietary predictive models built using the latest versions of specialized software. These models allow factory managers to envision the whole picture of increased operational and capital efficiency before it becomes reality. An integrated energy model and the CAPEX/OPEX evaluation method are discussed as ways to estimate and optimize costs, both for new greenfield projects and revamping of existing factories. The models demonstrate that factory capacities can be successfully increased using equipment that is already available. Special attention is paid to crystallization and centrifugation process simulations and the potential improvement of the global energy balance. One case study shows the transformation of a beet sugar factory into a refinery to process raw cane sugar after beet crop season and the second case shows the integration of a refinery into a cane sugar factory. The primary focus of the article is optimization of the technological process through predictive modelling. DSEC’s suggested solutions, which lead to great improvements in a plant’s efficiency and its ability to obtain very low energy consumption, are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6846
Author(s):  
Jan Polcyn

Small- and medium-sized family farms are places to live and sources of income for about half of the population. The aim of this analysis was to determine the relationship between eco-efficiency and human capital efficiency on small- and medium-sized family farms. The analysis was carried out using an economic measure (value of agricultural production per work hour calculated per hectare) and two synthetic measures (human capital and environmental measures). The synthetic measures were determined using the TOPSIS-CRITIC method by defining weights for variables used in the measures. The analysis covered five countries: Lithuania (960 farms), Moldavia (532 farms), Poland (696 farms), Romania (872 farms) and Serbia (524 farms). All of these countries are characterised by a high fragmentation of agricultural holdings. The analysis allowed us to formulate the following conclusions: eco-efficiency and human capital efficiency indices increased with area for small- and medium-sized family farms. An increase in the eco-efficiency index with an increase in farm area suggests that the smaller the farm area, the more extensive the agricultural production that was carried out. In addition, an increase in human capital efficiency with an increase in farm area indicates that there was inefficiency in the utilisation of human capital resources on the agricultural farms studied.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Morris

Even in industrialised emerging economies, the value-generating competencies of a workforce, known as its human capital efficiency, are a key resource for commercial success. The objective of this research is to empirically investigate the relationship between human capital efficiency (as measured by value-added human capital) and the financial and market performance of companies listed on the Main Board and Alternative Exchange (ALT-X) of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Return on assets, revenue growth and headline earnings per share were used as financial performance indicators; while market-to-book ratio and total share return were used to measure market performance. Multivariate regressions were performed, with panel data covering 390 companies in the financial, basic materials, consumer services, consumer goods, industrial and technology industries from 2001 to 2011. First, human capital efficiency was found to have no effect on the market performance of listed companies in South Africa. Secondly, higher human capital efficiency was found to result in the extraction of greater returns from both tangible and intangible assets in all industries. Thirdly, higher profitability was found to be associated with higher human capital efficiency in almost every industry in South Africa, with the exception of the technology industry, where human capital efficiency was found to be independent of headline earnings per share. Finally, higher revenue growth was found to be positively associated with human capital efficiency in those industries which are not consumer-driven. In the consumer-driven industries, human capital efficiency contributes to bottom line profitability even though it is not a driver for revenue growth. Overall, the results of this study confirm that human capital efficiency enhances a company’s financial performance, whether it be through a greater capacity for production and service delivery, tighter cost controls or better use of company resources. Management in all South African industries are encouraged to develop the value-creating abilities of their employees through employer-driven personnel enrichment and training programs and by incentivising workers to pursue further education.


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