Colin Ash has over 40 years of experience in various roles within the manufacturing, automotive, and audio industries. He has strong technical skills as well as experience in management, operations, and strategy. Currently he works as the Operations and Technical Director for an alternative building solutions company, where he oversees technical, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance aspects. He has held various leadership and consulting roles within automotive electronics, chemicals transportation, and audio systems companies.

1. Colin Ash
126, 17th Street • Orange Grove, Johannesburg • 2192
Open to Relocating: Flexible• Availability: 30 days
South African • ID Number: 560909 5164 086 • EE Status White Male
CELL (083) 377 3196 •ALTERNATIVE (011) 485 5107 • E-MAIL colin.ash@iafrica.com
PROFILE
It’s clear that the exposure to manufacturing, production, audio systems and the automotive
industry has built a formidable technical, operational and general management profile for Colin.
He’s a well seasoned professional with the ability to build and maintain businesses, providing
various management & strategic expertise. A firm exposure to regulatory and international
standards, he’s implemented policies and procedures that guide good operational practices.
Coaching, leading and mentoring are his key strengths, which he developed from the technical
roles he has worked and independently consulting in various organizations. His knowledge and
experience will be a meaningful contribution to the growth and sustainability of any related
organization.
CareerID Career Consultant – Mrs. Dudu Tshabalala
EDUCATION
King David High School (1974)
Matric – Senior Certificate
Johannesburg Technical College (1976)
National Certificate, Radio & TV (N1, N2 & N3)
Qualified as Radio & TV Technician (1978)
Via Philips Academy/University of the Witwatersrand (“Wits”)
Certificate in Management Development Program (1990)
Targeted Management
Philips Training Academy (including in Holland)
Various Technical Training Courses
Marketing Aspects
Wits Business School
Finance for Non–Financial Managers

2. Stratagem Industrial Training
Operational Finance
Andrew Levy & Associates
Industrial Relations
INDUSTRY QUALITY MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
ISO9001:2000, VDA6: QS9000 & Six Sigma
INDUSTRY RELATED SOFTWARE
SAP R/3, Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Pastel
INDUSTRY RELATED EXPERIENCE
Manufacturing, Automotive, Chemical Transportation & Healthcare, Alternative Building
Technology
WORK EXPERIENCE
DV8 Alternative Operations & Technical Director (2009-04 till now)
Building Solutions
(Pty) Ltd Responsible for the technical interface between the relevant parties.
Manufacturing Guides the business through various legal & operational requirements on
setting up a production facility.
Ensuring that the shareholders are updated because none are from a
technical or financial background.
Ensuring the acquiring of accreditation required by law in order to enable
the business in sell its products.
Accreditations took the form a being certified by Agrément SA – a
process that is both technical and statutory in nature.
As quality assurance process in the form of a formal set of QA
documentation is compiled, based on sound & well-accepted business
processes.
Responsible for commissioning the factory equipment and the
production from it.
Responsible for training & education of both the internal & external
workforce.
Overseeing the training & development of contractors and professional
teams.
Responsible for product selection and ultimately oversee the costing of
projects.
Reports to: Freelancer- The Shareholders
Reason for leaving: He is freelancing

3. Hazchemwize Interim Manager (Consulting) (2005-06 to 2008-03)
Chemicals Transport
Provided consultative support & provided strategy.
The business focused on the training, consulting & labour supply to the
hazardous goods & transport industry.
Offered business advice and strategy.
Was responsible for recovering of the debtors book.
Developed and implemented a turnaround strategy.
Implemented management systems and controls as a whole.
Automotive Izinto Automotive (Pty) Ltd (Consulting)
Was the de-facto Marketing & Communications Director.
Represented the Delphi Grundig Brand in Southern Africa.
This included automotive electronics such as GPS, radio, infotainment
systems and multi-media.
Was responsible for the SADEC Region.
Audio Systems ACN Cellular Technologies (Pty) (Consulting)
Head of Sales & Special Projects.
Was responsible for restarting their P&A (Parts & Accessories) business.
Handled the implementation of special projects.
We specialised in supply and fitment of hands-free devices for vehicles.
Provided general business advice and mentoring.
Reported to: Shareholders
Reason for leaving: He left to join his brother and nephew in a manufacturing and
construction business.
Control Instruments Divisional Director (2001-07 to 2005-05)
Audio Systems
Followed up on total sales of the business units.
This was mainly for Audio Navigation business
Was initially responsible for the transition and integration of the two
businesses units– VDO Car Communication Trading and Control
Instruments into a single entity called Control Instruments Automotive.
Was part of the EXCO team.
Implement a Quality Management System (ISO9001:2000) which was
successfully introduced and certified in October 2004.

4. Was responsible for handling technical matters of the Division and
assuming Product Management functions.
Achievements:
Successfully launched the VDO and VDO Dayton car audio brands into the
market and negotiated lucrative deals with amongst others, Renault and
General Motors
In 2004, took part in Delta Motors’ (now GM) ‘Supplier of the Year’
Program and achieved recognition as preferred supplier.
During latter part of 2004 through to early 2005, was also responsible for
launching the so-called After-Market Navigation Portfolio and
successfully concluded negotiations with a local mapping provider.
Reported to: Group Managing Director
Reason for leaving: In May 2005 after 30 years in the industry, decided it was time to enter a
different sphere of the industry & take up consulting
Philips Car Systems Commercial Director (1997-01 to 2001-06)
Audio Systems
Was responsible for 4 Head of Departments’ and 50 staff indirectly.
Ensured turnover and profit indicated a steady improvement to the
extent that the SA business unit was awarded several “Best in Class”.
Awards internationally amongst the respective countries (1999 & 2000)
The business steadily an consistently grew in 1996 at turnover of R1.2
million to a market share of more than 40% equalling a 2000% turnover =
R47.3 million.
Ensured projects were implemented both on time and within budget.
Assessed the operational & financial feasibility of setting up a local
manufacturing facility for car radio mainly for Original Equipment (OE).
Followed direction set by major customer requirements.
A manufacturing plant was indeed set up in SA and as a result was
promoted to execute a Commercial Director function.
Was responsible for sales and marketing of the full range of Car Systems
products for the After-Sales, Parts, Accessories as well as Original
Equipment (OE) markets.
Was responsible for key customer interaction/relationship management.
Became fully conversant with various Quality Management Systems.
Was responsible for service activity of manufacturing section as well as
imported products.
Was the appointed media liaison.
Served as a management representative on the EE forum .
Served as a management Trustee of the provident fund.

5. Served as the management representative of Medical Aid Sub-Committee
as well as usual fiduciary duties of a director.
Acquired major accounts in addition to BMW, Opel, Ford/Mazda & VWSA
Also secured business from a major car rental agency- Imperial Car Rental
Played an instrumental role in early discussions & subsequent
negotiations leading to the introduction of car navigation to the
SA.Automotive scene together with BMW.
Ensured a smooth introduction of the SAP R/3 ERP systems
Was part of the Project Steering committee & additionally responsible for
implementation of the sales distribution module
Implementation of the systemeventually improved overall performance
Achievements:
 The plant was officially opened in May 1997 and produced ± 60
000 units in its first year
 It subsequently realised a profit in the same year
 In the interim the entire Philips Car Systems operation worldwide
was sold to Mannesmann VDO, which delayed processes
somewhat but in September 1999 was officially appointed to the
Board of VDO Car Communication SA as Commercial Director,
whilst still reporting to the Managing Director
Reported to: Managing Director - Global Headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany
Reason for leaving: Was promoted to Divisional Director
Audio & Car Stereo Marketing Manager (1994-01 to 1996-12)
Audio Systems
Was responsible for handling all elements of product mix.
This included price, promotions, profit, advertising, dealer relations &
product range.
Re-positioned the Philips Audio products both in the mind of Trade as
well as the End User.
Was assigned the portfolio of Tapes & Accessories due to Car Systems as
activity growing considerably during this time.
Following successful introduction of the first model into Opel vehicles,
the activity grew almost ten-fold compared to previous two year period
Was ultimately transferred full-time to Car Systems from January 1997
Reported to: Divisional Director
Reason for leaving: Was transferred to the Car Systems Division

6. Audio Senior Product Manager (1991-01 to 1993-12)
& Stereo
Audio Systems
Was responsible for sourcing, procurement, costing, logistical support,
specification, packaging, training and quality of the whole range of audio
products
Followed addition of the car stereo and hi-fi to portfolio,
Was instrumental in re-focusing the audio range towards a higher quality
and international range
During this time, audio activity grew by 75% over a two period of two
years and was partly responsible for converting often slow and tedious
manual calculations to that of PC based spreadsheets
Represented Philips on various external committees such as Radio &
Television Distributors Association
Served as representative of RTDA and Philips on the Broadcast Industry
Liaison Committee
These committees were responsible for formulation of broadcasting
policy framework proposals to the government as well as implementation
of RDS and Direct Satellite TV broadcasting
Reported to: Marketing Manager
Reason for leaving: He was promoted
SA Philips (Pty) Ltd Service Area Manager (1975-04 to 1990-12)
After-sales service
Was responsible for the Northern & Eastern Transvaal now called
Mpumalanga together with Centurion, Pretoria
Was responsible for overall running of entire Branch which comprised in
workshop, spare parts store, customer desk and planning desk
Was responsible for appointing and controlling third party service agents
in outlying Areas
Directly stimulated the sales of tapes & accessories
Promoted service maintenance contracts and car sound products in the
region
At time of transfer to Johannesburg, the PTA region had the highest
turnover in tapes & accessories after Johannesburg
Handled two of the biggest accounts in the country
Reported to: National Service Manager

7. Foreman
Was responsible for day-to-day supervision of 30 technical staff
Handled the job allocation, on-the-job training, customer liaison,
technical efficiency & productivity
Was responsible for the technicians’ cars
Minimised repeat repairs and improved customer satisfaction
Managed to re-arrange the workshop striving to improve workspace
efficiency whilst introducing a “soak rack” for final testing of television
sets
Technical Assistant/Advisor
Was responsible for finding and implementing solutions to technical
problems on various consumer products
Monitored and provided reports on Field Call Rates of various key
products
Apprenticeship Program
Reason for leaving: He was promoted
REFERENCES
Mr. Steve O’Hagan Phillips
Designation: Divisional Director
Mobile: 083 377 3191
Mr.Phil de Jager PhilipsCar Systems/ Siemens VDO
Designation: ManagingDirector
Mobile: 073 804 9987
Mr. Brendan Horan Control Instruments
Designation: Operation Manager
Mobile: 083 292 9418