Richard Blackburn

Responsible for preparing the plant for transfer from Anaheim to the UK Head Office.  Rejuvenated the Engineering team, motivating and refocusing them on internal and external customers. Created a robust Quality Data Collection system from scratch using existing resources. Chaired the Health and Safety Committee, creating an Audit system and ensuring timely responses to issues. Responsible for the plant's continuing ISO9001 compliance.  2008: $25m revenue, 65 employees.

• Led the development of customized Automated Test Equipment at 3 key Process Stages, eliminating the need for six highly-trained operators while expanding the scope and improving the quality of the data collected.
• Built a real-time monitoring system for Engineering Trials, allowing fast decision-making and resulting in a 50% reduction in scrap ($180K saving p.a.) and a 90% reduction in Customer Complaints.
• Preparation for plant transfer included standardization of procedures, detailed documentation of manual and automated equipment, and training of future operators from the UK. Project completed on time.

Recruited by Domino's US Sales Channel to take over Project Management and Technical Leadership of the Anheuser-Busch APL Laser Coding program.  Initial APL project was $2.8m in equipment revenue.

• Working with German OEMs, solved the technical issues, resulting in the sale of phases 2 and 3 of the project. $8.5m revenue to date on equipment, and $2m in Field Service revenues.
• Led the team in the US Sales Channel that rebuilt customer relationships after product quality issues and restored customer confidence. Saved 30 major name-brand accounts from replacing with competitor equipment, representing 80% of budgeted annual sales.
• Coached new sales people on how to successfully sell lasers, delivering laser sales at 117% of budget.

Responsible for all aspects of Manufacturing, Product Development and Product Support for the company's laser products. Created Operational Budgets and managed to them.  Responsible for all HR, Health and Safety and Legal issues.  Responsible for FDA, UL and TÜV Compliance. 

• Successfully developed and introduced the S-series range of Laser Coders, integrating key components from a newly-acquired small German technology company. First year sales: 133% of budget. Sales to date: 300% higher than any other Domino laser product.
• Created Product Positioning and Support Strategies for the German company's existing products to allow global sales.
• Planned and introduced batch-of-one 'flowline' for manufacture of the S-series product range, while maintaining more traditional job-shop layout for legacy products.
• Increased volume by 200% in 3 years, growing team by only 20%.
• Reduced inventory by 35%, resulting in working capital savings of $0.8m.

Created and introduced three new product ranges, including significant Mechanical, Electrical and Software design.  Created and delivered Sales and Service Training to support sales into new market sectors. Responsible for the relationships with UL, TÜV and the FDA's CDRH division.  Managed the development of 'customer specials' from initial definition of customer requirements through to delivery.

• Responsible for the introduction of one product that was 'bought-in' from an outside laser company, working closely with the manufacturer to achieve world-class levels of reliability.
• Developed Sales and Technical Support strategies to access new market sectors using the product, and supported a US Distribution network for the product, separate from the existing US Sales Channel.
• Key member of a small four-person team evaluating potential acquisitions of competitors.

Responsible for Technical Support processes and Technical Training to support global laser sales.

• Created a robust 'Customer Specials' process, turning customer needs into tangible business opportunity - approximately 50% of shipped product had a customized element.
• Invented the Beam Extender, a patented technology which now facilitates 95+% of dot-matrix laser coder sales in the world ($4m annual revenue).
• Developed Sales Budgets and Implementation plans with the Australian and Asian Sales Channels. Highlights included sale of 156 coders to one Chinese customer (required 4 visits) with a value of $4.4m.

Transferred from the UK to a new acquisition in Anaheim CA.  Provided the link between Research and Production.  Responsible for Technical Support to global Sales and Service channels.

• Business grew from 5 units per month to 30 units per month in 2 years.
• Successfully led the customization project for Anheuser-Busch resulting in sales of 100 coders over 2 years, $6m of business.

Manufacturing Engineering Manager (1994-1995)

Managed a team of 12 Manufacturing Engineers and shop-floor-based Technical Support staff, reporting to the Operations Manager.

Manufacturing Engineer (1993-1994)

Part of a 5-person team developing a new inkjet coding product. Represented the interests of the factory and field service groups in the development process; introduced the product to manufacturing on time and beating internal operational targets.

Starting as Project Engineer, developing new fully-automated production lines for Mining Arches (steel RSJ bent to specific radii, used back then to support rooves in coal mines). Progressed to Production Director.