The
burden of responsibility for the Managing Director of any leading global
supplier to the international energy industry is heavy enough, but to carry
additionally the stewardship of a name synonymous with the highest engineering
excellence, must be daunting. Yet John Kempster, Managing Director - Energy
Businesses for Rolls-Royce not only shoulders the burden with obvious relish,
but has a very clear vision for the future of his organisation within the
worldwide energy markets. "This is a high-technology sector of industry,
but there is a danger that a business can become too much engineering-driven
with an over emphasis on technology and technical development. In the past
we at Rolls-Royce may not have been as market-driven as we could, but today
and for the future our focus is on "customer-facing businesses".
These are now driven equally by the needs and requirements of our customers
as much as by the continuing opportunity for technical innovation and engineering
excellence."
Adopting this tactical position, Kemster's overall
strategic vision is for Rolls-Royce to become by 2002 a top-three provider
of small power solutions to the international energy markets. Nevertheless,
he is obviously not content with merely maintaining market position in oil
and gas as his plans include significant growth and expansion in all areas
of operation. It is clear that in the longer-term he has his sights firmly
set on the global number two-spot behind market leader GE.
As MD of the company's Energy Businesses, Kempster
describes his responsibilities as covering "anything that rotates in
power generation or energy production" - specifically including gas
turbines and diesel engines as the two principal types of prime-mover manufactured
by Rolls-Royce.
The increased emphasis on a market-driven approach
to the Group's energy businesses is described by Kempster as meaning that
his operations "must become closer to the customer." "This
now means that we work within a strategic relationship with our customers
in order to meet fully their aims and objectives. At the same time as supplying
a "total solution", we provide strong aftermarket support by offering
a complete service. John Kempster is in no doubt of the implications for
Rolls-Royce.
"Our markets used to be clearly divided into
either power utilities or oil and gas. With many of the gas and oil majors
now operating as ESCOs, distinctions are becoming blurred as markets converge
towards single-source integrated energy supply. Many customers no longer
want "products" - specifying, building and owning power stations
for their own sake - but are simply in the business of supplying kilowatt-hours
in a highly competitive market. Our job is therefore not only to supply
products, but solutions".
To provide the necessary "total solutions"
with improved levels of customer service in both existing and new market
areas, Rolls-Royce has established a team of Customer Executives. These
highly experienced people operate as dedicated account managers to forge
a close working relationship over time with individual customers. They co-ordinate
the full service for all products manufactured and supplied directly or
indirectly, including a "systems integration" service, up to and
including full turnkey project management.
"I believe that a systems integration capability
is absolutely vital to our operation" says Kempster, "It is perfectly
possible to make money from power projects, but success is completely dependent
on excellent project management - you can lose your shirt if things are
badly done."
John Kempster recognises the dramatic changes taking
place on the American energy scene and is now actively looking to double
the size of the energy businesses to exceed $2 billion by 2002. |