Success Stories
Business contingency & disaster recovery project with Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA
I hired Wolf Liebchen/ GREEN WOLF to develop business continuity/ disaster recovery plans for our supply chain. The process was complicated due to our use of a 3rd Party Logistics provider to aggregate much of our inventory from over a dozen different suppliers, shipping specific product to us as needed to fulfill eyeglass orders. This single point of failure created a big risk and significant challenge for us.Wolf approached the project at two levels - first he worked with our 3PL partner to develop a plan for them to quickly switch to a backup distribution center should their primary location experience a prolonged closure. A backup location was identified, Wolf then worked with our suppliers to assist them in setting up contingency plans to ship products to the backup location.
The second phase of the work was to develop a plan for us in event the 3PL company or their systems were to shut down completely. This entailed working with our suppliers to develop contingency plans for each supplier to ship products to us directly.
Wolf also had to work with our internal systems and operations teams to ensure they had plans to shift to ordering directly from each supplier.
As usual, Wolf used his great organizational and process skills to build and document the contingency setup. He was able to tie the 3PLs and all participating vendors into one joint solution. The outcome provides significant peace of mind to our organization.
R. Mitch Rutledge, Administrator
Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Region
Major Supply Chain & process redesign and project implementation with Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA
I engaged Wolf to assist us with a project to move frame inventory from our optical lab to a 3PL, with the responsibility for maintaining appropriate inventory and shipping product to us on a just-in-time basis. The project involved interfacing information systems, the design and set up of a pick wall, and establishing three-way relationships between us, our 15 different product suppliers, and the 3PL. It also involved building a sophisticated supply chain cost savings model.Wolf's strong logistics background and expertise are well covered elsewhere. For the project management piece of this work, Wolf identified and met with all stakeholders to understand the work required for the process change, including potential barriers to success, and crafted an appropriate timeline for the project.
For the process improvement piece, Wolf met with the relevant parties to document existing process and how processes would need to change under the new model. He crafted new job flows and validated those with the relevant parties, and in many instances trained staff on the new processes.
Wolf was extremely effective in getting this work done - when problems could slow the project down, Wolf pushed to consider alternative approaches to keep the project on track, including just pushing people harder to prioritize this project.
Something that I initially wasn't expecting Wolf to do, but that he stepped in and took on quite effectively, was project facilitator for my team. I initially played that role, but when I got pulled into other projects, Wolf stepped in and took over that role to a great extent. He kept the team focused and on the right track to complete the project successfully, and kept me apprised of progress, so that at team meetings Wolf and I were always on the same page.
I feel that we could not have accomplished this project on time and with such a high degree of quality had I not engaged Wolf to help us.
R. Mitch Rutledge, Administrator
Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Region
Supply Chain project with ABB Optical Group,
Coral Springs, FL, and PERC Advantage, West Covina, CA:
"Wolf clearly understands complex problems and will work diligently to create pathways to achieve the group goal. Easy to work with, clearly articulates his position and is always open to discussion. He significantly helped in one of our companies’ most challenging projects, the design and implementation of a break-through eye wear supply chain solution with ABB Optical, to the benefit of our membership of eye care professionals. Thank you and I would not hesitate to use his expertise again."
David Golden, OD
CEO, Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative (PERC) & VERGE Alliance
Supply chain project with a High Tech company in the Pacific Northwest:
"Wolf had been hired as a consultant during Q 3 & 4 of 2010. During this time, I had the pleasure of working with Wolf on one of our major RFP’s of the year, Service Parts Outsourcing.Wolf was instrumental in not only putting the RFP together, identifying the players as well as developing a sophisticated evaluation matrix for supplier responses. Throughout this entire process, it became very apparent that Wolf brought unparalleled expertise to the logistics project. I was very satisfied with the RFP content as well as the entire inner workings of the project. Wolf took ownership early on and has seen it all the way through to final supplier recommendation.
I would absolutely work with Mr. Wolf Liebchen in the future and feel that any company would greatly benefit from his expertise within the logistics portion of your business."
Supplier Business Manager at a High Tech Company in the Pacific Northwest
Sustainability project with ABB Concise, Coral Springs, FL:
"Wolf had a difficult task here at ABB CONCISE. When he first found us, we were largely unaware of Green Initiatives and the positive impact that they could have on our customer service and financial bottom line. Wolf not only patiently taught us the possibilities in the Green area, but helped us value and implement them. Wolf has a versatile approach to business that enabled him to communicate Green possibilities to our C-Level executives, and also help a Manager lead our employee Green team."Jeff Rinkus, COO, ABB Concise
Development of freight carbon calculator at Aero Logistics, South San Francisco, CA:
We were lucky to hire Wolf after a distinguished tenure at DHL, and upon his arrival he immediately made an impact on our "Aero Green" initiative. He became an expert with our innovative carbon emissions freight calculator, adding formulas for rail and ocean freight to accompany our truck and air freight capabilities. Wolf worked within the MS Excel based application, and strengthened the tool by getting it 3rd party verified. Finally, after the sale of Aero Logistics Wolf played the lead role in getting our Aero Green program adopted & integrated by our acquirer, Horizon Lines, a $1 bn ocean shipping company. In summary, Wolf is the smartest person I know when it comes to calculating the carbon emissions from freight transportation, and I heartily endorse him.John Fowler, CEO, Aero Logistics