This highly informative, presentation and case study explains how Country Life Vitamins LLC, a process industry manufacturer, integrated APICS Supply Chain Management techniques with Lean Enterprise methodologies to revitalize operations,  improve process and product quality, improve  Inventory management , while reducing costs and significantly increasing customer service.

This presentation explains the classic tools and techniques utilized and demonstrates that they are equally effective and powerful in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing as they are in classic manufacturing.

Attendees will learn how the following were applied at Country Life

• Value Stream Mapping
• 5S & Visual Controls
• Setup Time Reduction (SMED)
• Cycle Counting
• Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

This session will be jointly presented by Brian Richmond, COO of Country Life Vitamins, Hauppauge NY and Stan Stone CFPIM ,CEO & Founder of  Greystone Business Solutions Inc, a premier Lean and Supply Chain & ERP consulting firm

About the Speakers:

Brian Richmond, COO Country Life Vitamins LLC

Brian Richmond—born and raised in Nottingham, England obtained a degree in Surface and Colloid Chemistry via Liverpool University and later became a Charted Chemist of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Over a period of 45 years has worked for a number of companies in the Pharmaceutical and Dietary Supplement industries. E.G. Boots Pharmaceuticals, BASF,Twinlab LLC, Country Life LLC. The early part of his career was spent in Quality Control and a number of Production management positions supervising the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of  Pharmaceuticals, Vitamins and Personal care products in tablet, capsule liquid and cream formulations. Brian came to the US in 1988 and was based in Louisiana working as VP, Operations for the US subsidiary of Boots PLC, a British company. Moving first to New Jersey with BASF he came to Long Island in 2000 with Twinlab.

For the past 6 years or so Brian has been the Chief Operating Officer at Country Life LLC where he has been instrumental in driving change across all functions of the company within the context of developing and implementing a new Corporate strategy to return the company to strong growth. A major part of the change has been the incorporation of MRP and adoption of Lean Manufacturing techniques which have enabled the company to build strong cross-functional teams and deliver improved efficiencies and better work processes.

Outside interests include spending time with 6 grand kids, boating, a little golf and watching Rugby!

Stan Stone, CFPIM

Stan Stone is the CEO, founder and lead consultant of GreyStone Business Solutions, Inc. a premier management consulting, training and executive coaching organization and a New York State certified training provider.

He is a Supply Chain industry expert, author, professor and leader in the field of Lean / Six Sigma Manufacturing, and Operations Revitalization.   With forty years of experience in Manufacturing Operations, Quality and Materials Management, Stan has helped a multitude of companies ranging from small, privately held start-ups, to giant multinational corporations achieve their potential.  He improves their everyday operations and increases their profitability with the methodologies and practical applications he implements to help to eliminate non-value added steps in their processes, reduce inventory levels, strengthen the entire supply chain, and increase sales.

With tremendous success, Stan continues with his strategic approach in a variety of industries including: electronics, plastics, machining, printing, p.o.p, capital equipment, pharmaceuticals, vitamins / nutraceuticals and cosmetics, food, aerospace and defense. 

Stan’s background includes C-Level and General Manager positions in the Corporate world as well as positions as Senior, Fellowship, and President for not-for-profit organizations.  He has had the distinct honor in 2007 of being selected by the People to People Ambassador Program to participate in a twelve person manufacturing delegation to China, and has been a featured speaker at the 1997 and 2004 World Manufacturing Symposiums in South Africa. Stan has published numerous articles and frequently speaks on manufacturing process improvement topics. 

Stan received Masters of Business Administration in Total Quality Management and Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Dowling College.  He is certified by APICS at the distinguished CFPIM level, and is a Past President of the New York City - Long Island Chapter.  He is also a member of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) and participates in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Stan is also a graduate of the Sandler Sales Training Presidents Club. Stan is faculty advisor at Farmingdale State University of New York and a recent graduate of the renowned APICS Train the Trainer program.