Gray Research - Chris Gray's biography

In 1989, I co-authored the definitive books on core functionality in resource planning software, MRP II Standard System and MRP II Standard System Workbook. These books had been offered as research reports from 1976 to 1989. During that period of time I also wrote approximately 30 in-depth evaluations of commercial MRP II and ERP software packages, and more than 20 published articles on resource planning and computers in manufacturing.

In 2006, I co-authored Sales & Operations Planning Best Practices, a comprehensive study of thirteen of the world's best S&OP users.

In 2007, I wrote Sales and Operations Planning Standard System, the definitive book on the functionality that must be present in an S&OP system, and the reference software that accompanies the book.

I founded and maintain an international consulting and education practice whose client base includes some of the world's best known and most respected companies, many of whom operate Class A systems.

I am a recognized Class A Assessor, providing assessment services in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

I offer and teach tailored on-site seminars and workshops on resource planning and lean manufacturing topics including S&OP, master scheduling, forecasting and demand management, value-stream mapping, developing and implementing pull systems, etc.

Professional Experience

Gray Research, Stratham, NH

President 1988-present

Manufacturing and Distribution Education Services, Inc., Belmont, NH

Founder and Director 2001-

Gray Research offers counseling and public and private seminars and workshops for manufacturing executives and managers trying to make the changes needed for improved value chain performance, consulting to assist in implementing improvement programs, as well as comprehensive evaluation of ERP software packages on an "as needed" basis.

My consulting experience spans chemicals, beverages, textiles, heavy machinery, consumer and medical products, rubber, pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive components, software development, etc.

Gray Research also provides a comprehensive Sales and Operations Planning system (e-SOP™) for companies who are implementing improved resource planning methods and who don't wish to develop their own S&OP software. e-SOP™ is written using MS-Access, MS-Excel, and Visual Basic for Applications specifically so it can be used by the broadest possible set of companies. It can be downloaded from the Gray Research website.

Manufacturing and Distribution Education Services, Inc., operating under the trade name Partners for Excellence, is an association of management consultants in the field of manufacturing and distribution management. Partners for Excellence markets the services of its member companies, and encourages materials and resource sharing and capacity management among the member companies.

Gray Research is also part of a worldwide association of manufacturing and distribution consulting partners who provide a full range of educational offerings and counseling to companies involved in improving their planning and scheduling processes and factory flows.

Gray Media, Inc., Exeter, NH

President 1991-2000

Gray Media marketed and supported specialty books and courseware for improving manufacturing and distribution operations.

Monochrome Press, Inc., Exeter, NH

President 1991-2000

Monochrome Press developed and published books and educational material, including definitive works on employee recognition, supplier quality improvement, professional selling skills, and forecasting, written by recognized experts in each of these areas.

Books included: Everyone Sells by Lee DuBois, Recognition Redefined by Roger Hale and Rita Maehling, Managing Supplier Quality by Roger Hale, et al, Focus Forecasting by Bernie Smith, Focus Forecasting and DRP by Bernie Smith, The Answers are on the Office Wall by Paul Thornton.

Educational video based training materials included: The Recognition Redefined Workshop.

Partners for Excellence, Inc., Danvers, MA

Founder and Director 1992-2000

See Manufacturing and Distribution Education Services, Inc. (above).

R D Garwood, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia

Associate 1988-1992

The Oliver Wight Companies 1979-1988

Oliver Wight Software Research, Inc., Essex Junction, VT

President 1983-1988

Vice President 1979-1983

Oliver Wight Education Associates, Newbury, NH

Associate 1983-1988

Oliver Wight Video Productions, Inc., Essex Junction, VT

Education Consultant 1981-1988

Software International, Inc., Andover, MA 1976-1979

Ohaus Scale Corporation, Florham Park, NJ

Manufacturing Systems Analyst 1974-1976

Books

The Right Choice. A Complete Guide to Evaluating, Selecting and Installing MRP II Software, 1986. Oliver Wight Publications (John Wiley and Sons).

MRP II Standard System. A Handbook for Manufacturing Software Survival, 1989. Oliver Wight Publications (John Wiley and Sons).

MRP II Standard System Workbook. A Handbook for Manufacturing Software Survival, 1989. Oliver Wight Publications (John Wiley and Sons). Contents of this book are now available on-line at the Gray Research website: www.grayresearch.com.

Sales & Operations Planning Best Practices, 2006. Trafford Publishing.

Sales and Operations Planning Standard System, 2007. Trafford Publishing

Professional Affiliations

American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) 1975-2002

Chapter President (North Shore Chapter) 1980

CFPIM (Fellow level professional certification)

Frequent speaker at the APICS International Conference

Education

Washington and Jefferson College

BA, Mathematics 1969-1973

Phi Beta Kappa

Summa Cum Laude

With Honors in Mathematics

Clyde Shepherd Atchinson Prize in Mathematics

Mathematics Honorary, President 1972-73

German Honorary, President 1972-73

Kappa Scholar

Carnegie Mellon University

MS, Mathematics 1975

Teaching Fellow 1973-74

Other

Who's Who in America, 53rd edition

Who's Who in the East, 21st and subsequent editions

Who's Who in America's Emerging Leaders, 1st and subsequent editions

Who's Who in Finance and Industry, 25th and subsequent editions

Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 2nd and subsequent editions

Who's Who in the World, 9th and subsequent editions