Since commencing her career in 2002, Kate has amassed extensive experience in engineering and industrial asset maintenance.
She began as an electrical tradeswoman and quickly advanced her skills in maintenance and asset management, gaining substantial experience in the Transport and Mining industries. Over more than a decade, she worked with prominent organizations such as Transnet Pipelines, Anglo American’s Platinum Mines, BHP Billiton’s Manganese Mines, and Assmang’s Iron-Ore Mines. Through these roles, Kate developed comprehensive knowledge in the electrical and mechanical maintenance and management of both underground and surface plant operations.
Kate’s extensive qualifications and experience have positioned her as a leading figure in the field of engineering, particularly in maintenance planning and asset management.
Her formal education includes a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, along with additional qualifications as a Qualified Electrician, a Program in Asset Management, and a Diploma in Project Management. This solid foundation has been further enhanced by her on-the-ground experience and deep expertise.
Academy for Reliability Maintenance Specialists (ARMS)
In 2010, Kate founded and began leading Strivingminds Training & Consulting, which has since evolved into the Academy for Reliability Maintenance Specialists (ARMS). As a Senior Trainer and Consultant, she has been influential in driving practical and strategic improvements in asset care and engineering specialty areas. Her role at ARMS allows her to apply her deep subject
matter expertise to train and consult on maintenance planning and asset management, contributing to greater operational efficiency and reliability for her clients in South Africa and beyond.
As an entrepreneur for over 12 years, Kate has leveraged her skills and experience to offer a diverse range of training and consulting services through her company, the Academy for Reliability Maintenance Specialists (ARMS).
Her services include:
- **Training on Asset Maintenance & Management**:
- Kate provides comprehensive training in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Asset Maintenance and Management. This encompasses Public, On-site, and Online training sessions.
- Her training emphasizes methodologies such as Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) and Risk-Based Maintenance approaches, which are critical for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of engineering operations.
2. **Consulting Services**:
- Kate assists companies in developing robust operational frameworks by helping them set up planning offices for optimized operations.
- She guides organizations through processes such as RCM, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Criticality Assessment. These tools are essential for identifying and prioritizing potential issues and ensuring effective maintenance strategies are in place.
3. **Mentorship and Coaching**:
- Understanding the importance of knowledge transfer, Kate mentors and coaches technical and maintenance personnel in the engineering field.
- Her coaching focuses on empowering personnel with the skills and insights needed to perform effectively in their roles, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and competency in maintenance practices.
Through these focused services, Kate continues to contribute to the engineering community by enhancing capabilities and promoting best practices in maintenance and asset management.
How Maintenance Planning Benefits Business
Kate is the host of the podcast How Maintenance Planning Benefits Business.
This article series (videos) is dedicated to all who want to learn and contribute to improving quality and reliability to make this world better!
Videos are created by Hemant Urdhwareshe and team. Hemant is a Fellow of American Society for Quality (ASQ) and is certified by ASQ as Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Reliability Engineer (CRE), Quality Manager (CMQ/OE) and Quality Engineer (CQE). He has 42 years of experience and wants to share his knowledge and experience with those who wish to acquire it!
Kate’s author archive lists contributions of articles and episodes.
