Alan Combes
Alan Combes obtained
an honours degree in Mathematics and Physics before moving into
automotive engineering with the Ford Motor Company. Having moved
through a number of positions in both Manufacturing and Product
Development, at 26 he became one of the youngest engineering
supervisors in Europe. His focus of expertise has centered upon
Quality including positions in Powertrain Manufacturing Quality,
European Quality Strategy - where he was part of an advisory team to
Ford’s European Director of Quality - and Quality Manager for the
development of a new sports car programme.
In 1993 Alan was seconded from his engineering responsibility and
given the role of Internal Quality Consultant to key projects. In
particular with his background in mathematics, he became an expert
resource in applied statistical methods such as experimental design
and Taguchi Methods.
Alan has recently completed a two-year post as a visiting research
fellow at the University of Bradford Engineering Department and has
been part of the management team responsible for the development of
a research based Master of Science Degree in Engineering Quality.
Dan Grove
Fields of Expertise
Engineering Statistics; Six Sigma;
Statistical Methods for
Process Improvement; Experimental
Design; Taguchi Methods;
Response Surface Modelling; Robust
Engineering Design;
Design for Six Sigma; Optimization
Education
BSc Mathematics and Statistics, Birmingham University
MA
Operational Research , Lancaster University
PhD Statistics, Birmingham University
Chartered Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society
Professional Experience
A former university teacher, Dan has worked as a consultant since
1989, assisting a wide range of clients in fields including
Aerospace, Automotive and Pharmaceuticals. He has written and/or
delivered training courses for about 20 companies on a wide variety
of topics including process control and improvement methods, Six
Sigma, designed experiments, Taguchi methods, engineering statistics
and robust engineering design. With Tim Davis, Dan wrote the book
‘Engineering, Quality and Experimental Design’ for which they were
awarded the Greenfield Medal by the Royal Statistical Society. He
has maintained his links with universities through part-time
teaching, supervision and research projects at the Universities of
Bradford and Southampton.
In industry he has specialised in coaching individuals as
internal consultants and supporting groups of engineers in their use
of designed experiments and other statistical methods. His work with
a leading automotive company played a major part in delivering
substantial process improvements with large financial benefits.
Adrian Cole.jpg)
Professor Cole has over 25 years
experience in both the automotive consultancy and higher education
sectors. Formerly Technical Director at ERA Ltd and then Powertrain
Manager at MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association), he is now
both a Senior Technologist Consultant at the Technology Innovation
Centre (part of the University of Central England) and founder
partner of the Problem Solving Business a small but growing
technology transfer consultancy.
Prof Cole’s technical background
expertise lies within powertrain R&D. Having been involved in
industrial programmes in both the USA and Germany, he has covered
subjects as diverse as; thermally insulated (adiabatic) diesels,
transient behaviour of turbocharger turbines, piston gallery
cooling, in-cylinder gas activity, combustion analysis, biofuels and
engine system simulation codes. Recently Prof Cole’s interests have
broadened to include studies in design innovation and is currently
heavily involved in such techniques as structured innovation,
axiomatic design and multi-disciplinary optimisation.
Professionally Prof Cole has been a
past Director of the Society of Automotive Engineers, chair of the
UK SAE Section, a member of the IMechE Automotive Division board
and the IMechE’s Part D editorial board and a member of the
Foresight Vehicle (DTI) powertrain expert group. Prof Cole has been
on the organising committees of numerous international conferences
and symposia for both SAE and IMechE including most recently the
IMechE Integrated Powertrain and Driveline Systems conference.
Tim Nicholls
Fields of
Expertise
Statistical Analysis; Statistical Process Control; Experimental
Design;
Taguchi Methods; RISE and G8D Special Cause Problem Solving;
Six Sigma; FMEA
Education
Cert Ed, University of London
BA
Mathematics, Open University
MSc Engineering Quality Improvement, University of Bradford
Member of the City and Guilds of London Institute
Professional Experience
6
years as a school teacher followed by 27 years with the Ford Motor
Company. Tim has had a variety of roles in manufacturing
engineering, production management, quality control, supplier
support and education training and development management and
delivery.
As
an experienced engineer in the automotive industry Tim has a strong
understand of the principles and problems of manufacturing processes
and the role of statistical techniques in the control and
improvement of quality.
His work in the area of quality improvement was recognised by the
City and Guilds of London with the award of their Gold Medal for
Excellence in 1999.
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