DRX 2008: Disciplines in Safety and Hijau Quality

Discipline Through SOP, SIP and SLP


Since April 2007, Hijau managers encountered major problems with the operational employees whom were sales, administration and engineering workforce. There was confusion among the employees and company policies are frequently ignored by employee for their own convenience.


There is a need to develop Standard Company Policies, pertaining to:


(a) Standard Operation Procedures (SOP)
The SOP was developed and continuously reviewed to provide a standard policy on sales, finance and administration activities. Without a SOP, salesmen can over-commit on installation appointments, while Finance Department will be drained off money unnecessarily.


(b) Standard Installation Procedures (SIP)
The SIP was developed and to be reviewed by SIRIM (Malaysian Standard Board) for Malaysia Standard (MS) status. The SIP are Hijau standard documents on NGV conversion design, safety parameters, installation procedures, minimum component quality and delivery control. This is the key manual for all Hijau conversions.


(c) Standard Logistics Procedures (SLP)
The SLP is being developed to manage, administer and delivery components to franchisee, resellers and local stockist. This area still requires alot of attention after investment exercise.

or visit http://www.ngv.com.my/default.asp?pageid=190 under Procedures





Improved Franchise Model

Hijau managers have developed the brand name of Bumi Hijau (or Green Earth) as the franchise name. However so, there is a lacking of franchise expertise and knowledge among the Hijau managers. In this matter, Francorp (Franchise Consultant) has been invited to quote on the following services:
(a) Technology & Standard Procedures licensing;
(b) Franchise Royalty Payment;
(c) Outstation Support Charges;
(d) Sales Commission Scheme;
(e) Top Sales Bonus Scheme; and
(f) Other policies.

At present, we are testing and commissioning various parts of Franchise Programme in 2008. It is easy to claim franchise, but difficult to be profitable.

The key ideas of Bumi Hijau Franchise are:

(1) Hijau Franchisor operates as the Sales Principal (developing marketing materials, e.g. brochures) while the franchisees act as the front line agents. Both online and offline Hijau marketing will push conversion/service customers to the franchisees. After all, most franchisees are either business investors or auto-mechanics, lacking in time or sales ability to obtain customers on their own.

(2) Hijau Franchisor spend money and time on continuous Conversion Design, Research & Tropicalised Technology Development (or R&D) as the Technology Innovator while the franchisees are the new innovation implementers.

(3) Hijau Franchisor functions as the Conversion System Developer (building internal conversion standards like SOP/SIP/SLP) and Group Quality Controller while the franchisees convert under these Systems Approaches. These systems are designed for safe, reliable and responsible conversions by Hijau and Bumi Hijau Franchisees. All systems are derived from the based rules: Rule 1: Hijau Always Safe; Rule 2: Hijau Always $ave; Rule 3: Rule 1 Always Come First.

(4) Hijau Franchisor guides by acting as Principal Trainer while the franchisees must continuously upgrade their knowledge and improved methods (or Continuous Installer Education - CIE). Automobile technologies improve over time; thus, Hijau is perpuately advancing ourselves and franchisees through foreign trainers.

Foreign Technical Team Training

Hijau managers organise bi-annual foreign technical team training on various conversion products and/ or latest technologies. These trainings are offered to local authorities like PUSPAKOM, JPJ Technical, SIRIM and others. This is to assist the local authorities to enhance their knowledge about NGV conversion and safety.

Mr Naseem Khan from AutoLPG Installer (United Kingdom)

Rectifying Conversion Faults

Hijau managers had their fair share of many conversion faults, through Italian conversion methods. It is found that Italian conversion methods are susceptible to damage or problem in Malaysian hot climates.

Thus, Hijau managers reengineered the conversion methods and termed it as ‘NGV Tropicalised Method’. This includes the usage of customised wiring harness on carburetor vehicles, 3-in-1 NGV electronic control unit (ECU) and special calibration tools.

Specific Market Development

Hijau managers have found that most installers operating unprofitable are employing multi-model conversion approach. These installers often experienced come-back customer complaining of problems or undrivability. Their inexperiences are producing unreliable conversion methods.

For profitability, a focus strategy is needed. Thus, Hijau managers conducted a Specific Market Development Plan on the following criterias:

i) Vehicle volume is substantial (above 100,000 units on the road now);
ii) Single deal for large vehicle number of conversion (fleet); and
iii) After conversion teething problems at lowest (low come-back jobs).

Hijau manager have always identifed the following vehicle models that meet the criteria:
(1) Nissan Vanette C22 Carburetor (rating : 5 out of 5)
(2) Proton Iswara 1.3 & 1.5 Carburetor (rating : 4 out of 5)
(3) Toyota Unser 1.8 GL Simple EFI (rating : 3 out of 5)
(4) Mercedes Benz W124/W126` Carburetor (rating : 2 out of 5)
(5) Toyota Hiace 2.0 (1RZ) Carburetor (rating : 1 out of 5)

Besides so, Hijau has redesigned NGV Tropicalised Methods into 12 other models. Each models has been designed, endurance tested for safety and reliability. This is already 2 - 3 years on most prototype models.

Be safe, Drive Safe. DRX

email: drxander@ngv.com.my

DRX 2007: Interacting with NGV Users

DRX 2007: Interacting with NGV Users

Certified Installers Vs Rogue Installers

There is an acute shortage of certified installers in Malaysia. Presently, we have alot of rogue installers, converting vehicle recklessly and unsafe practices. In fact, rogue installers protect their little know-how as a dark art.

Thus, there is a need to establish a formal training on NGV. Hijau managers have decided to pursue a collaboration with Malaysia France Institute, under Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).

Pre-Franchise Modelling

There is a need to establish a franchise chain of Hijau workshops, specialising on promoting Safe NGV Conversion. Many NGV Installers have tried to use franchise as a method of building up network of workshops, but failed. It has been determined that they do not established the following elements:

(a) Corporate Culture, like Hijau Always Safe, Hijau Always $ave, which translated that Hijau demands safety and provide reasonably priced after conversion services;

(b) Operational Manual, like Standard Installation Procedures (SIP), Standard Logistics Procedures (SLP) and Standard Operational Procedures (SOP), which determine a conformity among all Hijau workshops; and

(c) Unique Products, NGV conversion kit and specific cylinders sizes, which is solely distributed by Hijau.

During this phase, the Pre-Franchise Modelling was pre-mature and contained many gaps. It is in April 2007 that Hijau Managers are able to develop the above considerations.

(a) Search of Technical Assistance

Hijau managers accepted that Hijau can be weak in many areas of NGV conversion. Thus, it is imperative to obtain technical assistance from overseas installers. The areas that needed foreign technical assistance and advisory. In January 2008, Hijau managers have achieved a host of foreign technical assistance:

i. Mr Naseem Khan (AutoLPG, United Kingdom);
ii. Mr Dag Tenter (Autogas, Germany);
iii. Mr Carlo Carlini (Gascontrol, Italy);
iv. Mr Edwin Low (ITE, Singapore);
v. Mr Chistopher Tan (Scantruck, Singapore);
vi. Mr Lim Sin Leng (Green Pacific, Singapore); and
vii. Mr Suchai Lormongkhonkit (Greensiam, Thailand).

Hijau Thai and Singaporean Experts



Hijau Briton & Turkish Experts



Industry Benchmarking Ideas


Hijau managers have been unsuccessful to find a NGV conversion workshop as a benchmark standard. Hence, Hijau proceeded into developing its industry benchmarking ideas on Malaysian NGV standards:

i. Benchmarking websites as the primary marketing tool in 2007 and 2008;
ii. Benchmarking conversion method with high reliability after conversions;
iii. Benchmarking after sales service with user tutorial services;
iv. Benchmarking industry as installer company with immediate replacement parts;
v. Benchmarking training syllabus for practical knowledge; and
vi. Benchmarking marketing materials and marketing slogans.



Hijau Carburetor Brochure



Hijau EFI-Mixer Brochure



Hijau EFI-SGI Brochure






Be Safe, Drive Safe. DRX
email: drxander@ngv.com.my

DRX 2006: Discovering NGV in Malaysia

DRX 2006: Discovering NGV in Malaysia

The Hijau managers entered the market with no historical direction as a guideline. There is no visible NGV business model during April 2006 onwards. All NGV businesses are small-time, cottage-industry installer, operating out of small workshops.

Thus, Hijau managers needed to learn from the industry in discovering its secrets, logics and obstacles. The learning phase is the difficult and costly without income generation ability. At this phase we have found out the following knowledge:

(a) NGV Key Success Factors
The successful NGV Business must consist of the following:

1st Success: Brand Name in Malaysian NGV Industry
There is no recognisable brandname for NGV Installer, pertaining to safety, professionalism, knowledge and after sales reliability. This is the 1st and most important success factor. Hijau managers started working on building a brandname, Hijau, into the Malaysian NGV industry from April 2006, via websites:

http://www.ngvcommunity.com/

http://www.ngv.com.my/

2nd Success: Conversion Quality, Standards & Workmanship

The NGV conversion business consists of many rogue installer, who are operating irresponsibly and recklessly at times. Vehicles are converted without the proper components, where DIY parts are often used. This lead to many undrivability and frequently engine stalling

Rogue Installers Workmanship


No mixer or 'Universal Pipe'

Hijau Installer Workmanship

K-Jetronic Mixer (W124)

Hijau Manager reworked all conversion procedures, and developed the Hijau Standard Installation Procedure (H-SIP) to comply with UN ECE R110 and MS 1096. The conversion procedures have been reengineered for high reliability or problem-free after conversion.

3rd Success: Professional, Clean And Green NGV Workshop

Hijau managers have learnt that clean and professional workshop is a must. In our case, it is also very Green in colour, which is signify Green Evironment in the West, as well as Green for Islamic. Both East and West are acceptable to a green (or ‘hijau’ in Malaysia language).

The Prototype Hijau workshop was designed to be pleasant for female customers, as well as culturally acceptable to male customers and children. The concept was derived from ‘shfting values’ into going Green, going Hijau. The workshop design and decor took 12 months to be perfected, and established on 1 May 2007.

NGV is not just about savings, but also promoting green as per Hijau marketing.

Hijau Prototype Conversion Workshop (Kuala Lumpur, malaysia)

NGV Key Market Direction

Malaysian NGV industry has always been leaderless and lack a national direction. Since 4 June 2008, the industry remains in a 'search pattern' for business direction. Although so, Hijau managers have always set the direction for the NGV industry as promoting ‘Safety Comes First’.

Due to Hijau’s Safety Awareness web campaigns, Hijau is being known for a Safety-conscious NGV Installer. Many consumers are attracted to Hijau Always Safe, Hijau Always $ave policy, which in turn benchmarked the industry safety standards. However so, rogue installer remains to conversion recklessly, while rogue importers are selling indiscriminately.

The Key Market Direction is heading, and soon demanding, safety conversion. It is quality conversion against quantity conversion. Hijau manager, Dr Xander Thong, has been quoted on New Strait Time Newspaper as saying:

‘Safety & Reliable conversion is at the expense of Installer’s Profit, while Cheap conversion is at the total expense of safety and reliability’.

Safe Conversion. This is the consumer direction. And this is the governmental direction. This is the sole and only direction Hijau.

Be Safe, Drive Safe. DRX

email:drxander@ngv.com.my

DRX 2005: Lonely Green Proton Iswara NGV

'When Curiosity turns to serious matters, it's simply called Research'.

'Why are we the only private NGV car queuing with the taxicabs?' enquired my wife, Mrs DRX. A look around brought about the reality that my Green Proton Iswara NGV was the only private car with NGV installed, queuing up with 8 taxicabs. That's was in 2005 when petrol price was steadily at RM1.32 per liter.

My Proton Iswara NGV was converted under license, G*m*ri Auto Service. Back then, I did not have the authorised Conversion License to convert my own vehicle. Thus, my Proton Iswara had to experience the works of unprofessional installer, and later undergone a massive repair (or mildly said, retrofit) by my own.

Sample areas of Retrofit (to re-install the NGV properly) by myself, a Qualified NGV Installer.

Sloppy High Pressure Pipe Routing - 1

Sloppy High Pressure Pipe Routing - 2

Half-Rubber Padding (short-cheat)

Besides the above problems, a long list can be written in regards to poor installation methods and short-cheat components (and missing safety components). Yes, the vehicle passed Puspakom as it was not their fault since no Puspakom inspector was ever trained on NGV. In fact, it was a good thing that Puspakom allow a 'Pass' on my conversion, and had my Vehicle Grant endorsed as Petrol/NGV status. This helps me obtained my Vehicle Insurance protection.

DRX Retrofit: Pig-tails at NGV Reducer & Refilling Valve

(This provides Flexibility in NGV Pipe during Frontal/side Accidents)

Under SIRIM 1096:1997, these pig-tails are referred as Flexible Hosing/Piping. The intention is to allow the pipes to be bent (or coiled like a spring) during accident without breaking and preventing high pressure methane gas rushing out into the damaged engine (and possibly burning engine compartment).

My own retrofitting took about 1 week, as sourcing the spare parts were near impossible. The limited importers were not cooperative and not willing to provide the parts, like:

(a) high pressure pipe and bicones (need to replace the old 'G*m*ri' pipes);

(b) built a customised wiring harness, using Normally Closed relays (constant & direct battery);

(c) replace the cylinder rubber padding and high tension bolts/nuts to DIN8.8 specs;

(d) replace the Air-Fuel Mixer to a Fixed Venturi type; and

(e) installed a Timing Advance Processor (Joker-N Type) from AEB Srl.

This experience led to one commitment: Dr Xander Thong will make 'NGV Always Safe, then NGV Always $ave' for all NGV Users. Since I viewed NGV as Green (or Hijau), it is naturally translated into Hijau Always Safe, Hijau Always $ave.

In 2006, Hijau was established as 'Momoweb MOG Sdn Bhd' where momoweb stood for Mo-mobile, Mo-motion and Web-worldwideweb. It is observed that NGV vehicle was always on the move (mobile), the industry constantly changing (motion) and the web should be the place to gather all NGV users together. This has led to NGV Commmunity.com (http://www.ngvcommunity.com/) and Hijau (http://www.ngv.com.my/).

By 2007, Momoweb MOG Sdn Bhd was upgraded to its maiden name, HIJAU MOG. Curiously, MOG stands for Malaysian bioOil & CNGas. Both my lonely Green Proton Iswara and Hijau started to promote 'Hijau/NGV Always Safe, after that Hijau/NGV Always $ave'.

Our Curiosity on how to ensure safe, reliable & responsible conversion lead to our Research of 'NGV Tropicalisation' technologies in Malaysia. This has taken us at, Hijau, 3 years and alot of self-determination. To know Hijau, it is just remember Hijau Rules of NGV Engagement:

Rule 1 : Hijau Always Safe

Rule 2 : Hijau Always $ave

Rule 3 : Rule 1 Always Come First.

Be Safe & Drive safe, DRX.

email: drxander@ngv.com.my