BIOGRAPHY
WHERE IT STARTED
- In the 60’s when I first discovered SPC it was something you studied at University rather than practised in Industry.
- In the 80’s, when I became professionally involved with SPC I was surprised to see that this was still the case.
- Another 20 years on and SPC is still considered to be at the esoteric rather than the practical end of manufacturing and it is only the more forward thinking companies that use SPC to increase profitability through improved efficiency. Many still use it because they’re told to.
INITIAL PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
- As Sales and Marketing Manager for a company supplying SPC solutions, both hardware and software, I was closely involved in the development of the early attempts to bring automated SPC to the shop floor.
- By the early 90’s the combination of low cost PCs and Windows meant that the combination of simple operator interface with improved data collection, reporting and networking could be achieved without needing to create specialist solutions. At this time, much of my time was spent hand holding.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
- In 1994 I set up this consultancy to help to satisfy the need that was becoming increasingly apparent for both training and consultancy.
- Although the demand for SPC implementation has increased, the understanding of what SPC can do for a company remains low at all levels - from board room to shop floor. Consequently although data is being collected, little is happening to improve processes.
- Many of the training facilities that were available concentrated on number crunching and chart plotting rather than on the benefits that SPC can bring - many still do. What I hope to do is to leave you with a knowledge of why and how SPC can be used, rather than 6 ways to calculate Standard Deviation!
AIMS
- My objective is to help companies to get more out of SPC by using it as a practical tool. A range of training courses have been developed to help to achieve this.
- No single course can meet the range of needs required across different operational levels or different industries.
- Most of my consultancy work is aimed at understanding more about the internal processes, which will ultimately lead to improved resource utilisation. Sometimes this will be by using SPC; sometimes it will be by using one of the other disciplines available; occasionally it will be a question of separating the wood from the trees.
- Most companies collect data. Some know why and are able to gain useful information. Many don’t - and these are the companies who often need help to stop fighting fires by showing them where the potential flare points are and where to keep the matches.
- As a result, I have become involved in many associated areas such as Measurement Systems Analysis, Design of Experiments and Process Evaluation as well as simple data collection and analysis as a prelude to process improvement techniques.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- I sit as a Magistrate on the Trafford Bench (Greater Manchester)
- I am a Manchester United season ticket holder.
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