Driving Namibia’s salt sector: Elmo Kurz in focus

At the core of Namibia’s coastal salt production stands Elmo Kurz, a supervisor at Walvis Bay Salt Refiners who has become a pillar of consistency, innovation and leadership. With many years of service behind him, Elmo combines technical expertise with a strong sense of responsibility to help drive one of the country’s key industries forward.Kurz started at Walvis Bay Salt Refiners as a production supervisor, drawn to the hands-on nature of the work and the opportunity to improve efficiency. He quickly proved his reliability and problem-solving skills, gaining recognition for his practical knowledge and commitment to operational excellence. "The opportunity to optimise processes in a key Namibian industry attracted me to this role," he explains.Since then, the industry has undergone major changes. The company has moved from manual labour to automated sorting, washing and packaging systems. These upgrades have improved both safety and output. Environmental regulations also led to the introduction of water recycling and waste reduction systems, while new workplace safety protocols have significantly lowered the risk of incidents.Strategic changes Among Kurz’s proudest achievements are reducing equipment downtime by 30% through preventive maintenance and lowering impurity levels in refined salt by 15%, which boosted customer satisfaction. Facing challenges such as equipment breakdowns and high staff turnover in harsh conditions, Kurz responded with practical solutions. He implemented a predictive maintenance programme and introduced better shift rotations, safety incentives and skills training to support staff retention.His role has shifted from manual supervision to a more strategic focus. He now concentrates on improving workflows, training his team in new technologies, and working closely with management to meet performance goals. Over time, he has built strong technical knowledge of salt refining machinery and lean manufacturing, while also developing leadership skills such as conflict resolution and crisis management.Teamwork One of his most memorable projects was the 2018 plant upgrade. He played a key role in the installation of a new automated wash plant, which doubled production and cut labour costs by 20%. "That project showed the power of teamwork and innovation," he recalls.Kurz stays motivated by seeing the results of his efforts, helping others grow in their careers, and knowing that Namibian salt reaches both local and international markets. His advice to newcomers is simple: "Learn every part of the process, respect your team, and always be ready for change."Looking ahead, Kurz plans to expand his skills in real-time monitoring, strengthen his data analysis abilities, and take greater responsibility for training and leading cross-departmental initiatives.

Driving Namibia’s salt sector: Elmo Kurz in focus

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Republikein 2025-12-19

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Driving Namibia’s salt sector: Elmo Kurz in focus

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