Most companies that rely on spare parts face the problem of bridging the gap between supply chain, storeroom or warehouse, on the one hand, and their technical users (maintenance, reliability, service personnel or customers) on the other. This problem arises because spare parts inventories have different characteristics to other inventory types and their management requires specialist insight and know-how.
As a Materials and Spare Parts Management Specialist Phillip Slater helps companies achieve real savings through inventory optimization (reducing their working capital), improving the control of ongoing inventory spend (so that they maintain the benefits into the future) and, ‘fixing it for good’ (so that they don’t keep revisiting the same old problems – Phillip calls this inventory prevention).
In 2012 Phillip was honored with a national Leadership in Logistics Education Award. The only occasion that this award was presented to an individual.
Phillip provides a combination of consulting, analytical review, policy and procedure development, training, and implementation support.
The process Phillip employs for inventory optimization is the Inventory Cash Release Process. Phillip’s also makes great use of the online training and resource center at SparePartsKnowHow.com. Through this site Phillip can exclusively provide access to a wide range of online resources and training.
Phillip’s focus is on improving the client company’s team understanding of key issues, and the skills and knowledge of their key personnel. As much as is possible Phillip also seeks to have much of the work done by the client team members, as this is the best way to get them to ‘buy into’ the results and change their mindset about what is possible. Phillip achieves this by working with the client team to identify and then make the changes.
There are 7 reasons why any company serious about achieving results should use Phillip’s services:
- You want results! Phillip has a strong track-record of success.
- You value that documented track record
- You recognize the simplicity and effectiveness of our exclusive methodology – the 7 Actions for Inventory Reduction
- You are looking for a specialist in spare parts inventory management and optimization, rather than a generalist consultant trying to ‘stretch’ into this field.
- You want the independence of someone not tied to specific software solutions
- You understand that success requires a focus on management processes and improved team skills, rather than merely using software to recalculate values
- You value continuous learning from access to our online resource center
No, Phillip specializes in MRO, engineering materials, and spare parts inventory.
Here is a sample list of clients in different industries:
Oil & Gas
Transocean – the world’s largest offshore drilling contractor
RasGas – one of the leading energy companies in the global liquid natural gas (LNG) industry
KPO – a JV of five O&G companies operating one of the world’s largest gas and condensate fields
Murphy Oil/Petronas – a JV between Murphy Oil (USA) and Petronas, the national oil company of Malaysia
Shell Australia – part of the global Shell group of energy and petrochemical companies
Caltex – the only integrated oil refining and marketing company listed on the ASX
Petrochemical
QAFCO – the world’s largest single site producer of fertilizer products
CSBP – a major manufacturer and supplier of chemicals and fertilizers
Smelting
Nyrstar – one of the world’s largest zinc producers
Dubai Aluminuim – owns and operates one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters
Tomago Aluminuim – a leading manufacturer of aluminium products
Alcoa – the world’s largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refining, smelting and rolling network
Manufacturing
Coats – the world’s leading industrial thread and consumer textile business
SCA – a global hygiene and paper company with sales in 100 countries
OneSteel – Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of structural and other steel products
SLA – the no. 1 designer, manufacturer and distributor of lighting systems in Australia & New Zealand
Cargill – an international producer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services
Kellogg’s – global manufacturer of breakfast cereals and snacks
Mining
Boart Longyear – the world’s leading provider of mineral exploration drilling services and drilling products
Rio Tinto – a world leader in finding, mining and processing the earth’s mineral resources.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore – one of the world’s leading iron ore producers
Fortescue Metals – the world’s fourth largest iron ore producer
Barrick Gold – the gold industry leader in production, reserves and market capitalization
Newmont – primarily a gold producer, with significant assets or operations in many countries.
Parts Supply, OEM and Wholesale
One Steel Piping Systems – Australia’s leading provider of pipe, valves and fittings
Davey Products – a market leading manufacturer and exporter of water pumps and filtration equipment
CBC Bearings – Australia’s bearing inventory and distribution network
Sharp Corporation – global manufacturer of electronics goods
Utilities
Delta Electricity – the largest capacity electricity generator in the National Electricity Market
Yarra Valley Water – one of Australia’s largest retail water supply and sewerage businesses
Eraring Energy – manages a diverse set of electricity generating assets
Wheelabrator Technologies – a world leader in the generation of clean energy
St John’s River Power Park – generating plant co-owned by JEA and Florida Light and Power
Transport
V/Line Passenger – Australia’s largest regional public transport operator
APM Terminals – operators of port and terminal facilities in 58 countries
Yarra Trams – operated in partnership with Keolis and Downer EDI Rail
Southwest Airlines – America’s largest low-fare carrier
Other
Biota – a leading anti-infective drug development company
Orbital Corporation – an international designer and developer of innovative engine management systems
You might also be interested in seeing some testimonials and case studies
They key is the way that Phillip works. Phillip’s approach is to utilize a combination of in-person and online tools. This enables him to spend intensive time with your team and then support their work remotely. This means that Phillip can work simultaneously across many sites but that each site gets personalized attention.
In addition, by involving your team, rather than bringing in a team, Phillip ensures a skills transfer and this helps deliver lasting results. The thing to remember is that your team needs a combination of skill and process improvement, not more people. Also, when appropriate, we can pilot a program and then train your people to roll it out across your organization.
Sure they are but aren’t they always busy? The issue is priority and getting the best from your time and money. If you go for a ‘quick and dirty’ solution that doesn’t change the team’s behaviors and skills then you will keep getting the same result. They key question is – how important is this to you?
I am not sure about working with an individual.
The advantages of this are:
- You deal directly with the principal and decision maker, this makes Phillip more responsive and more flexible in delivery. Consulting firms lack this because they all focus on employee utilization (Phillip know this because he led a couple of major consulting firms).
- You are not paying for people to learn the consulting business – Phillip already know what he is doing!
- Phillip’s approach is tailored – he does not provide ‘off the shelf’ packages. Many people don’t realize that big firms use standard approaches as a way of maximizing the efficiency of their team, not the efficiency of your team or solution!
- Phillip’s expenses will be less because you are not paying for a team of people to travel.
And at the end of the day you are paying for value and results, not quantity and size.
Phillip has been providing consulting services all over the world since 1994. During that time he has worked with companies in 35 countries. Phillip’s location is no impediment to a successful project. The ‘travel issue’ is also something of a myth. The costs of travel are unlikely to be the most significant cost of an engagement. Also, Phillip has run programs that simultaneously involve many locations. For those programs Phillip had client teams working at each location while he provided the operational insight and leadership. In short, Phillip has experience in successfully running programs, simultaneously across a number of different countries.
Anyone engaging an external resource needs to consider the risk issues associated with that engagement. Can they do the job? Will they do the job? Will they engage or alienate my team? Will they leave me hanging if there is a problem? Phillip’s response is that as a known entity with a global reputation for successful outcomes he is perhaps your lowest risk option for addressing materials and spare parts management issues.
CONTACT PHILLIP
For a full listing of my services please visit the services page.