Don Benson, P.E., Managing Partner Don hasbeen consulting and coaching in the material handling industry since 1978.Don’s practice focuses on defining requirements, design, implementation, and effective utilization of change, to improve warehouse and distribution center operations, supporting business strategy and objectives. Don has managed distribution companies, lead the consulting practice at Semco, Sweet & Mayers, lectured in the Graduate EngineeringSchool at the University of Southern California, in the Masters of Organization Psychology program at John F Kennedy University, in the Masters of Operations and Technology at the Pamplin School of Business at the University of Portland, and presented workshops with the Extension Division of UCLA and UC Davis, and at several MHI events including PROMAT.
Don has published and presented on how to make the most of your distribution assets, and how to improve distribution operations from the warehouse to the boardroom.He has postgraduate degrees and certifications in engineering, business, and organizational psychology. Don is Past President of the Association of Professional Material Handling Consultants.
Recent Consulting Projects
·Lundberg Family Farms – Redesigned warehousing process including layout and outbound finished goods distribution center, changes in data and material handling, and communications processes with customers and carriers, and improvements in the movement of finished goods from manufacturing to distribution. Coached Warehouse Manager. ·Warehouse Shoe Source - Developed business and operating requirements to guide the design, selection of building and equipment, and a transition for new distribution center suppling athletic footwear to a growing network of retail stores.
·Alaska Seaplane - Developed new procedures to optimize daily terminal operations, including freight handling and aircraft space utilization. ·Greens Creek Mines – Redesigned warehouse processes to improve support to remote 24X7 mining operation. ·Global Importing - Worked with management and staff to optimize the utilization of existing building, equipment, and systems to improve performance quality and productivity.
Recent Coaching Engagements
Wine Distribution, Minnesota - Coached a newly promoted manager in developing personal and organizational goals, new ways to work with staff and management peers, and relationships with vendors, customers and carriers.
Publishing Industry, Oregon - Coached a manager in developing his personal performance and relationship wth mamagement peers to support organizational growth.
Retail Store and E-Commerce Footwear Distribution, California - Coached the Logistics VP and consulted with the company to improve the functionality and relationship of distribution operations to the continuing company growth.
E-Commerce Grocery Distribution, Singapore - Coached Business and Operations leadership in the design of methods and procedures, and selection of appropriate equipment and systems for a new e-commerce distribution center. The company was recently purchased by Alibaba, with a significant investment in distribution operations.