In the new global economy, how can manufacturers create value, cut costs, and reduce their exposure to volatile commodity price swings that squeeze profits...
Author - Bryan Ball
Bryan Ball is the Vice President and Principal Analyst for Aberdeen’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) research practice, responsible for developing Aberdeen's research coverage within the practice and delivering findings via published works, speaking engagements, on-line events and media interaction.
With over 30 years of supply chain, operations and materials management experience acquired across multiple product lines and serving several markets, including retail, wholesale, commercial, OEM and private brand customers, Ball brings a high level of knowledge and insight on the challenges and opportunities facing supply chain practitioners worldwide.
Ball’s career encompasses a range of experience areas including system implementations, startup operations, consolidations, and outsourcing, all while delivering value in the form of cost reductions, improved inventory turns and enhanced efficiencies attained through process improvements. His professional accomplishments cover a wide range of disciplines including sales and operations planning, risk mitigation, strategic sourcing, product sourcing, change management, purchasing management, cost reduction, and lean manufacturing.
Prior to joining Aberdeen, Ball served as Vice President of Supply Chain for FuelCell Energy, a manufacturer of stationary fuel cells for the distributed power generation market. Before that, he served as Vice-President, Global Supply Chain for FluidMaster, Inc., responsible for all aspects of the Supply Chain serving major customers including retailers The Home Depot, Lowes and OEM's Kohler and American Standard. Previously, Ball was Director of Supply Chain for Dover Industries Unified Brands where he directed sales and operations planning, sourcing and procurement across all plants. He has also held leadership roles in Stanley Mechanics Tools and software provider i2 Technologies.
Ball holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University, and is an APICS Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (CFPIM).
The old traditional supply chain “pushed products to market.” How achievable would it be to turn this around and make it into a “demand-driven” supply chain...
