Visiting card

IPI
INSTITUTE OF PRODUCTION INNOVATION
UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM UDSM

Address:
The Institute of Production Innovation
attn: K.-P. Stormer, Director
P.O. Box 35075
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Telephone: 49 192 extension 2928 or 2932
Telex: 41561 UNIVIP TZ

The Institute of Production Innovation (IPI) is an applied engineering research and development organization affiliated with the University of Dar es Salaam. IPl's basic objectives are twofold:

1. To contribute to the development of a viable industrial sector in Tanzania through the improvement and utilization of existent know-how and the development of new or adapted technologies, with main emphasis on agriculture, transport and energy, and

2. To help coordinate the education offered by the University of Dar es Salaam Faculty of Engineering with the needs of industry.

In practical terms, IPI endeavours to translate these objectives into reality by developing locally fabricated prototypes which are then passed onto local companies for series production. At the same time, IPI offers various other services to industry, ranging from the fabrication of locally made spare parts to consultancy and information services.

IPI's history in brief

IPI was born as the result of the concerted efforts of a group of lecturers within the Office for Relations with Industry (ORI) in the University of Dar es Salaam's Faculty of Engineering in conjunction with local industrialists. Established as an autonomous institute of the University and funded by means of a bilateral agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Republic of Tanzania in May 1979, IPI has been open for business since 1 July 1980.

The range of IPl's services

Just what is meant by Production Innovation? lnTanzania, IPI believes that this means more than anything else taking available material and know-how, adding ingenuity and innovation, and producing equipment that help to meet the needs of people, and that help existent productive capacity work more efficiently.

Some of the ways that IPI does this is through:

Prototype development
This area involves extensive applied research and development whereby either new or existent technology is adapted to suit local conditions. Whether the stimulus for the research is from IPl's own staff or from outside sources, normally the research - once embarked upon - is carried in IPl's own account, pending the satisfactory resolution of the problem in question. At the time, in order to recoup the Institute's sunk R & D costs, the prototype would be marketed to other local firms for series production under contract, or would be produced and marketed directly by IPI. Examples of this type of activity include the development of a manually operated press for oil seeds (edible oil extraction), decorticator, a savonius-type windmill, and cardamom oil extraction equipment.
Spare part fabrication
Due to the seriously constrained economic conditions currently obtaining in Tanzania, many firms have been forced to operate significantly beneath their rated capacity. In numerous instances, this is due to the lack of availability of needed spares resulting from the severe foreign exchange constraints. Because of this, IPI has utilized its facilities to fabricate needed spares from local material and remachining parts to extend their useful life.

Consultancy services
As indicated earlier, IPI offers its services to industry in a number of areas. One such area is the testing and evaluation of equipment to assess its suitability for local conditions, its reproducibility, and the development of an appropriate maintenance programme. Other areas include the identification and development of alternative energy sources, as well as the dissemination of information through the promotion of professional seminarsand lectures.

UNATA

Address:
UNATA
G.V.D. Heuvelstraat 131
3140 Ramsel
Belgium
Telephone: 016-561022

UNATA (Union for Adapted Technological Assistance) is a non-profit organization. Its aim is to contribute to the development of the Third World, with special emphasis on the well-being of the local population. To achieve this aim properly, it has at its disposal a large workshop equipped with machines for the processing of wood and metal, a showroom, a storage yard, a research centre and an office. Four people work on a full-time basis, supported by 10 volunteers. Since 1978, when UNATA started producing adapted technology for developing countries, there has been a significant increase in its capacity, and its supply of products, services and experience. This has resulted in their answering many questions from local communities, official development organizations and non-official development organizations.

What we can offer

1. Simple machines that are adapted to the daily activities of the local population. We produce brick-presses, oil-presses, wire bending machines, windmill-operated pumps and water-trans porters. All these machines can be used by hand with the exception of the windmill-operated pumps.

2. Second-hand or new machines to start up workshops, especially for the processing of wood and metal.

3. Practical terms of probation for people who are working in Third World countries. They can come to us to improve their knowledge of the processing of wood and metal. They can also learn about adapted technology, its principles, production methods and applications.

4. Technical aid and service in case of difficulties of a technical and practical nature, e.g. the supply of accessories, specific requirements under special circumstances.

5. All kinds of tools, generators, pumps, electrical equipment, spare parts, for cars and trucks can be ordered.

6. Seaworthy packing.

Our way of working

A staff of technical engineers and agronomists undertakes specific research in our research centre. When required by mission workers and projects, machines and utensils are designed and produced, adapted, sold, etc. The sturdiness and efficacy of the prototypes are tested there. Every separate aspect of our offers is thoroughly examined. The finished products with their most important applications are shown here, and they can be examined by our visitors. We collaborate in particular with mission organisations, development organisations, projects and development workers on the spot, or people who are returning for their holidays.

Our aim

We want to apply ourselves to two topics in the future. Firstly, we want to put our experience and possibilities at the disposal of local initiatives that:

- Create employment in small workshops,
- Aim to emancipate the disadvantaged groups of the population,
- Try to apply natural and human resources.

In short: those initiatives that put human dignity above economic growth which in Western countries, has created the crazy situation in which we are now living. Secondly, we want to elaborate local projects so that an integrated approach to the problems will be possible.