Project engineering and operations assistance

In 1988, Corus Consulting was appointed as an independent consultant to advise and assist in the implementation of a World Bank funded scheme for the modernisation of a then state-owned 3 million tonne capacity integrated iron and steelworks in Central America. The scheme involved the introduction of new and upgraded equipment to improve quality, to balance production capacities, and to implement a catch-up maintenance programme.

Plant areas which were to be extensively modernised included steelmaking and casting, the hot strip mill, cold mills and process lines. The role of Corus Consulting during the initial 3-year programme included assistance in the preparation of enquiry specifications, tender appraisal, design approvals, project control and scheduling, contract management, construction supervision, and commissioning and start-up assistance.

Later, the company was successfully privatised, following which Corus Consulting was engaged by the new owners to provide a wide-ranging programme of operations assistance. This required the provision of a large team of resident operations advisers, engineers and other technical specialists to assist in completing the modernisation programme, upgrading the plant performance and training the local operators. At its peak, this programme involved a Corus Consulting team in excess of sixty resident advisers. These services continued until 1998.