Consultant Profiles

Gideon Hillman - MILT MIBC - Managing Director - Materials Handling & Supply Chain
Sue Hillman - MCIPD AIBC - Director - Project Administration & Accounts
Ian Kendell - MSc. MILT - Project Management & Lean Supply Chain Development
Phillip Beckham - MILT - Warehouse Management & Inventory Optimisation
Christophe Evo - MSc - International Freight & Multi- Temperature Distribution
Chris Braganca - BSc MBA CEng MIEE - Lean Supply Chain & Process Automation
Keith Fuell – Logistics & Warehouse Management System Development
Richie Keen - Transit Packaging & Reverse Logistics - Retail Sector
Grahame Chapman - Plastics Processing & Food Packaging Specialist

Gideon Hillman MILT MIBC - has over 16 years European Supply Chain, Logistics and Materials Handling industry experience, having been employed at a Senior Management Level throughout Europe within the Materials Handling, Logistics and Specialist Supply Chain Services industry for over 12 years, (7 of which with TNT Logistics), prior to establishing Gideon Hillman Consulting in 2004, now recognised as one of the fastest growing specialist consultancy practices in the UK. Gideon is a Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport & The Institute of Business Consulting.

His experience and skills include:

• Contract Management, Project Management, Commercial and Business Development, at Senior Management Level throughout Europe within the Materials Handling, Warehousing, Specialist Supply Chain Services and Logistics & Distribution Industry, specifically in the Automotive, Food Processing, Retail Home Delivery, General Industrial and Manufacturing Sectors
• Management of multi-discipline project teams on Materials Handling and logistics / supply chain tenders and strategic implementation projects across Europe.
• The proven ability to recognise, develop, implement and maintain strategic commercial opportunities and supply chain efficiencies for clients in all sectors.
• Process design and Implementation of Warehouse, Materials Handling, Transport and Production, logistics solutions to suit customer supply chain needs throughout Europe.· Cause and affect analysis of the integration of the proposed process into new or existing logistics and manufacturing operations.
• Development and Implementation of RFID & barcode enabled, Internet based Asset Management Systems for product tracking, container/pallet pooling and management within the supply chain.
• Design and installation of warehousing and manufacturing facilities, and firsthand experience of running a food hygiene plastics packaging manufacturing facility for high volume cost competitive product.
• As well as presenting to, and working with, Industry specific forums such as BARD / BPI in the music retail industry, the IISRP in the Global Automotive Tyre Industry and the Odette Group for Automotive Materials Handling, he was a Keynote speaker on "Asset Management in the Supply Chain", at the 1998 IFPWA Global conference and has worked closely with the IARC (International Automotive Research Centre) on RFID implementation for Automotive Stillage Tracking. He was also a speaker on Asset Management in the Humanitarian Aid Supply Chain, at the 2006 Aid & Trade Humanitarian Relief Conference in Geneva.
• Gideon has had articles published in SHD magazine; he has been the subject of a feature interview in Packaging News and has written for The Times Newspaper – “Power of Logistics” supplement, published in September 2007.

Sue Hillman MCIPD AIBC - prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting in 2005, had spent 9 years in Senior HR roles (both permanent and contract). She is MCIPD qualified with Chartered status and an accomplished HR generalist with experience in a range of HR activities including Employee Relations, Pay and Reward, Performance Management, Advising on Employment Law matters, Training and Development and specialist project work.

Her Career & Experience includes:

• 6 years with Lloyds TSB Insurance as a Senior Personnel officer for the “Insure Direct” call centre. This included HR Generalist work as well as high volume Recruitment and Selection for sales and customer service staff (incorporating design and management of assessment centres). She also managed recruitment advertising campaigns and liaison with external agencies as well training staff in Sales Techniques, Product Knowledge and Customer Service Skills. Sue had responsibility for many specialist recruitment campaigns for senior management and technical positions, (up to Managing Director level) and designed, delivered and evaluated in house management training.
• Project Management of a Job Evaluation Programme for a Warwickshire Local Authority requiring Design and Specification of a 2 year project plan, formulation of a communication strategy, benchmarking against other local authorities and advising on related Employment Law issues. Sue established a project Steering Group in order to facilitate and maintain project “buy in” from Senior Managers, Councillors and Union Representatives alike. This project management role also required Job Evaluation interviews on a “face to face” basis with staff members, managers and Union Representatives utilising the Pilat “Gauge” Software. The project also included Involvement with formulation of new pay and grading structures and attending formal pay review hearings and advising Councillors on legal and local implications of decisions.
• Recruitment and selection of Contract Staff to IBM, based in Warwick, across all their UK sites.
• Other areas included responsibility for Investors in People, Absence Management, Harassment Investigation, Equal Opportunities project work, Recruitment and Retention projects.
  

Ian Kendell MSc. MILT has over 17 years experience (10 at a Senior Management level), in Materials Handling, Logistics and Supply Chain Management supporting Global Manufacturers and European Retailers.

He completed his Master of Science Degree (MSc.) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Cranfield School of Management, in 2001 and has BTEC National & BTEC Higher National Diplomas in Control Engineering. (1984-91).

Ian is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics (UK) and the Institute of Directors, and is an experienced professional Consultant / Project Manager, having successfully managed a diverse range of Pan European Supply Chain projects including involvement with over 60 Warehouse Design, Implementation and Management System projects.

His Project Management skills and Warehouse systems experience include:

• Project Managed review and recommendations for UK Logistics and Warehouse operations and systems strategy for major UK Utilities contractor.
• 6 month assignment as Interim Vice President Logistics EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Asia) for Cooper Vision, the World's third largest contact lens manufacturer, with over 100,000 products SKU's .
• Experience of over 60 Warehouse Design, Implementation and Management System projects, the vast majority of which were automated warehouses, but all had significant Manual aspects to them also. Examples of his implementation experience include projects for Samsung, Unilever, Mitsubishi and Mowlex, among others.
• Sourced several WMS from leading suppliers (Synergy Logistics, Kewill, and Klump) for integration both to the Materials Handling Equipment (racking, stowage & retrieval) but also upwards to leading ERP technologies like SAP, Baan and Oracle. Further work with Customer Own WMS such as Red Prairie, Oracle, and SAP MM/WM
• Full supply chain cost modelling and evaluation, process and value chain analysis, supply chain strategy design and implementation, ROI / ROCE / EVA appraisal, SOP implementation.
• Project and Programme Management, including WMS, ERP & MES Systems Integration and New Product Development for manufacturers.
• Quality based training around 6 Sigma, TQM, TPM, Lean Manufacturing & Lean Supply Chain principles.
• Extensive General Management experience including fiscal control, budgeting, employment procedures, facility start-up, legal standing, marketing, sales management, logistics, stock and purchasing.
• 5 years "asset management and equipment pooling" experience with Pallets, Containers, Trays, Roll Cages and Trolleys including repairs, washing, quality control, asset tracking and control systems and customer optimisation.
• MS Office & Project literate and IT competent on a variety of platforms and systems.
• International exposure across the whole of Europe, and extensive US & Far East assignments.

His career prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as a Senior Associate in 2006 includes:

• Container Centralen Ltd from Jan 2005 to November 2006 - UK Managing Director
• CHEP Europe from September 2001 to August 2004 - Materials Handling Consultant
• Daifuku Europe Ltd - August 1992 to October 2000 - After Sales Service & Projects Manager
• Honda of the UK Manufacturing from November 1991 to May 1992 - Engineering and Facilities

Phillip Beckham MILT had over 28 years experience in the Food Processing Industry including 20 years in Senior Management positions covering all aspects Materials Management, Procurement, Stores and Inventory Management, UK & European Food Logistics, Supply Chain Optimisation and Quality Management, prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as a Senior Associate in 2007.

Phillip has significant experience in Supply Chain Management, Vendor Management, Vendor Support Operations, Logistics, Materials and Warehouse Management as well as Facilities and Engineering management. He is a Certified ISO Environmental and Quality system Auditor, and has managed the implementation of ISO14001 for Major Food Manufacturers and producers. Phillip also has a certificate in Safety Management to BSC standard and is Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.

His key skills and Consultancy experience include:

• Project managed the installation of a variety of MRP & ERP IT systems modules covering Warehouse & Materials Management across production sites and warehouse facilities, including writing complete Standard Operating Processes (SOP’s) and delivering associated training.
• AS400 MRP planning and materials management and AS400 based Purchasing Systems and installation of MRP IT systems covering Warehouse & Materials Management.
• Management for all aspects of UK Dry Storage facilities including production scheduled order picking in high volume short lead time environment and management of Materials Control team responsible for procurement of Raw Materials, Ingredients, MHE and Packaging.
• Installation of Vendor Managed Systems including IT based forecasting information for all Vendors, and sourcing Logistic solutions for UK & European production facilities.
• Project leader for definitive and significant improvements and Inventory Reductions throughout the Ingredients, Raw Materials and Packaging Supply chain for High Profile Food Manufacturer, achieving significant cost reduction in supply chain for purchased materials.
• Installation and Management of Plastic Pallet Pools for UK Food manufacturer using Bar Code/RFID technology and Web Based tracking system as well as sourcing, provision and systems management of bulk container handling for UK and European supply chain.

His career history prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as a Senior Associate in 2007:

• Bernard Matthews Foods from 2005 to 2007 - Internal Stock & ISO Auditor:
• Bernard Matthews Foods from 1998 to 2005 - Materials Manager Responsible for total supply chain management of purchased materials covering all UK and some European Production Facilities.
• Bernard Matthews Foods from 1995 to 1998 - Facilities Manager -Managed all aspects of UK Dry Goods Storage facilities at multi locations
• Bernard Matthews Foods from 1989 to 1995 - Stores Manager requiring Management of Dry Goods, Engineering and Consumable Warehouse facilities covering all UK production sites.

Christophe Evo MSc has over 17 years experience in all aspects of Logistics, Warehousing and International Distribution and Haulage, dealing with European and UK retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, having held Senior Management positions with major European Food Production and third party Logistics businesses prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as a Senior Associate.

He has specific experience and expertise within Chilled and Frozen Distribution and Warehouse management and best practice, as well as Warehouse management systems (WMS), Mechanical Handling Equipment, Distribution Planning, Logistics Outsourcing, De-commissioning of Warehouses, Sales Order Capture, Sales Order Forecasting and the Integration of Production and Buying teams.

Christophe is fluent in both French and English, has a Master’s degree in International Trade, B.T.S. in International Commerce (equivalent to BA) and his CPC in National and International Haulage. .

His key skills and Consultancy experience include:

• Interim Supply Chain and Logistics Project Management for third party multi-temperature warehousing and logistics provider, and International food wholesalers.
• Project Management for cost reduction of Intercontinental sea freight distribution network of chilled / frozen produce
• Logistics and Warehousing service reviews including efficiency improvements through racking configuration changes and reduced energy usage, including “pallet mile” reduction initiative design and implementation, reducing carbon emissions through changes in the Supply Chain.
• Raw Materials and ingredients procurement and management ensuring synchronous flow of material to meet production schedules.
• Supply Chain “alignment” between supplier and customer needs to ensure continued relationships and best practice service is maintained.

His career history prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as a Senior Associate:

• RHM Frozen Foods from 2003 to 2008 - Head of Distribution.
• RHM Frozen Foods from 1999 to 2003 - Distribution Manager-Transport / Warehouse
• RHM Frozen Foods from 1997 to 1999 - Distribution Manager-Transport
  Euroventure Continental ltd (STEF-TFE Group) from 1993 to 1997 - UK Sales Manager
• Seagull Transport ltd (STEF-TFE Group) from 1991 to 1993 - Traffic Co-ordinator

Chris Braganca BSc MBA CEng MIEE is a degree qualified Chartered Engineer specialising over the last 25 years in Lean / 6 Sigma improvement and lean Manufacturing Process and System Design, Supply Chain Improvement and Change Management. Chris has significant experience in automated handling and robotics having successfully implemented over 50 Systems, covering the full spectrum of manufacturing processes from Part Handling, Inspection, and Process to Complex Assembly.

As well as being a professional Supply Chain Project Manager, Chris has extensive hands-on experience as a supervisor and engineer level in project development and on the shop floor. He is fluent in French and has experience of working in Japanese, French and Scandinavian Cultures and is a DTI Registered Independent Consultant in Operations and Process Improvement

His Qualifications, experience and expertise include:

• Chartered Engineer of IEE
• MBA (Aston) (Sponsored by Westinghouse) Thesis: Impact of Automation on the Garment Industry
• Cambridge University - Advanced Course in Design Methods and Management
• B.Sc. Honours - Electrical & Electronics (Sponsored by CAA) – Grade 2:1
• CPD LEAN:- Diploma in Business Excellence /TQM/NPI/6Sigma/PRINCE 2
• Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management - NPI, Work Study , Capacity Planning, DFM,VE,
• Quality Management – Prince 2, 6Sigma, DMAIC, DOE, QFD, TPM, TQM, and EFQM.
• TPS Lean Working - Lean Audit, Process & VSM, BTO, SMED, POKA-YOKE,5S,KANBAN,OEE
• Automation Programming - Robot Programming & SCADA, Passive & Active Sensors, PLC’s & Network
• Computer Programming - Assembler programming of Motorola-Intel Texas Instruments chipsets
• System Analysis - Use of Emulator systems, MICROSOFT Office, MS Project , MSSD Course
• Strategy / Change Management - Foresight, Hedgehog, Performance Coaching & NLP Practitioner.

His Experience Includes:

• Consultant Project Manager for Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Logistics and Supply Chain Review. Senior Consultant / Programme Manager for the Technology Innovation Centre, Senior Production Engineer for NEC Technologies and Automation Manager for the Royal Mail.
• Chris has defined, designed and project managed multiple Automation System Projects, either manual or machine focused, costing from £150K up to £ 2m+. Developed and managed the delivery of state of the art technology solutions integrating plc, robot and sensory systems into Automotive, Electronics and others sectors with companies such as: Mercedes-Benz, MG Rover, IBM, Avon, Ford HP,IBM, BAe, Chloride, BOC, Marley, BNFL and Control Data.

Keith Fuell has over 27 years of experience in designing and installing processes and systems in the logistics and supply chain industry, specialising in Traffic Office, Returnable Packaging Management and Warehouse and Inventory Management solutions, prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as an Associate in April 2008.

He is an accomplished systems Project Manager with experience of working across Europe in a wide range of industries including automotive, food processing, white goods, retail, DIY, construction, general manufacturing, publishing and maintenance workshops.

His key skills and experience include:

• 20 years of integrating multiple systems including, SAP, Paragon, DPS, Microlise, Datadriven, Red Prairie.
• 27 years experience developing system solutions in tanker distribution, freight forwarding, sea freight, air freight, road freight, dedicated and core fleet distribution.
• Project Management of workshop maintenance systems in Europe and Oman
• Design and implementation of Materials Supply System for high volume production lines.
• 8 years in designing and implementing traffic security systems to help ensure the safety of drivers handling high value and high risk loads such as payrolls and tobacco.
• Integrated database developments with Web interfaces across multiple networks
• Designing and implementing systems in warehouses incorporating RF scanning and interfaces to multiple external systems for both inbound and outbound transactions
• Use of various data capture/communication methods including, barcode, RFID, Digital Pen, Hand Held Terminals, Voice data capture, SMS messaging, Email, EDI and bespoke methods.
• Project management of a number of Finance systems implementations
• Resource planning using vehicle routing systems and distribution costing analysis for a number of transport operations.

His experience employment and consultancy experience includes:

• Software consultancy specialising in Contract Distribution projects - 1993 to 2008 working with numerous companies including Ceva Logistics, Exel Logistics, Lloyd Fraser, Nissan Motors, Renault, Landrover, Mercedes, Daimler, Ceva Container Logistics, Bernhard Matthews Foods, Securiguard, MCM Security, Imperial Tobacco, Dairy Crest, TMME, Fuji, Body Shop, Raflatac, Cemex, NHS Logistics, Miele, Allied Bakeries, Swish Building Products, Mannetti, Focus Do It All, Man ERF, Xerox, Michelin, Continental Tyres, Tenneco Walkers, Herman Miller, Nutricia Foods, Shell Oils Oman. MSAS, , Simons Reeve and others
• UK MD for US Software Company specialising in Tanker Distribution - 1989 to 1993
• United Transport - MIS Manager Tanker and Logistics Divisions - 1985 - 1989
• Unilever Export - IT Manager 1981 - 1985

Richie Keen has 17 years experience, (6 as Equipment Control Manager for Tesco Logistics), specialising in Transit Packaging and Reverse Logistics in the Retail Sector prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting as an Associate in March 2007.

In the last 8 years Richie has provided support as a consultant to Manor Bakeries, Nestle, IFCO and Symonds Hydroclean, as well as others, advising on Packaging Waste Regulations, early shelf-ready packaging initiatives with coffee and re-usable confectionery packaging, crate washing and container recycling centres, as well as equipment leasing and managed pool services.

His key skills include:

• 17 years 'asset management and equipment pooling' experience with Roll Cages, Pallets, Containers, Trays and Trolleys including repairs, washing, quality control, asset tracking and control systems and customer optimisation.
• 8 years Transit Packaging Sales and Consultancy within Materials Handling and Supply Chain Management.
• Multi-operating site management, procurement, deployment and control of reusable transit packaging, managing budgets up to £18m.
• He also has experience of managing 9 recycling centres that processed fibreboard, paper and plastic returns from retail stores.
  

His employment experience prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting includes:

• 5es Transit Packaging Sales and Consultancy – 1999 to present
• Tesco Logistics – Equipment Control Manager – 1990 to 1996
• Tesco Technical Services – Quality Assurance Manager – 1986 to 1990
• Tesco Technical Services – Food Technologist – 1986
• Tesco Technical Services – Quality Control Officer – 1984 to 1986
• Tesco Retail – Produce Manager – 1979 to 1984

Grahame Chapman has over 30 years experience within the plastics manufacturing sector specifying and managing of the implementation and commissioning of plastics manufacturing plants. This includes 10 years experience working with Retailers in the development of retail specific packaging including modified atmosphere packaging. He is a plastics material specialist with many years in the thermoforming industry where he has been responsible in significant manufacturing developments to satisfy market requirements.

Grahame is a Board member of European Thermoforming Division of Society of Plastic Engineers and is a member of the Society of Engineers.

His areas of expertise include:

• Extensive Plastic materials and Application Engineering knowledge
• Twin Sheet Thermoforming & High Pressure thermoforming
• Industrial food processing, packaging systems and flexible plastics
• Project Management of Plastics Manufacturing plant installation and commissioning
• Modified Atmosphere Packaging
• Gas barrier materials
• Horizontal Form Fill Seal

His Career History prior to joining Gideon Hillman Consulting in 2007 includes:

• MAAC Machinery Corporation – 1998 to 2007 – European Sales Director - Responsible for sales and implementation of heavy gauge Rotary Sheet Thermoforming systems into European market and all markets outside of the USA.
• KST International - 1995–1998 – General Sales Manager – responsible for industrial plastic processing machines and ancillaries.
• Dixie Union UK Ltd 1992-1995 - Operations Manager – Machinery Division - Responsible for Turnkey Applications, with full P&L responsibility and Sales and Technical team Management
• Trigon Packaging Systems Ltd - 1984-1992 – Systems Director - Responsibilities included running the sales and after sales departments, machinery manufacturer and development, and for all major packaging developments for UK Retailers.
• Interfood Group - 1974-1984 – Technical Manager Full technical responsibility for the packaging division, sales of capital goods and development of complete systems to customer’s requirement. Worked with major Retailers to develop retail modified atmosphere packaging.