The document provides information about Ernest Packaging Solutions' consulting services. It discusses that Ernest employs experienced category consultants to help clients save money and be more successful, unlike other packaging companies. It then describes Ernest's proven consulting process and how they work with clients to identify opportunities, analyze solutions, and provide recommendations. The rest of the document introduces some of Ernest's expert consultants and outlines their backgrounds and areas of specialty.
An Engineer’s Essential Tool in Agile: Design Thinking
Ernest Consulting Services
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Ernest Consulting Services
Expertise to help you drive business excellence.
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The problem.
Most packaging companies
promise cost-efficiencies as
well as product and category
expertise but don’t really
employ any experts.
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The solution.
The Ernest Solutions Consulting
Group gives you access
to experienced category
consultants that deliver the
insight to help you save money
and be more successful.
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Our consulting process.
When you combine expert resources We developed our consulting process over decades of working closely with our
with a proven process, measurable customers to find the right solutions for their unique situations. We understand that
benefits are the end result. every company is different, every packaging requirement distinct. Whether you are
looking for process cost savings or custom packaging design, our consulting team
gets to know your business to ensure that the solutions we deliver add up to real
value. We take the time to define the situation, observe your current practices and
what is happening in the industry, analyze the opportunities, and provide carefully
considered recommendations and a realistic implementation plan.
Definition Observation Analysis Recommendations
Kickoff Meeting Schedule Site Visits Review of Audit and Process Cost Savings
Confirm Goals and Site Tours (macro level) Cost Data Implementation Plan
Objectives Line/Process Audits Supplier/Product Research and Timeline
Interview Key Stakeholders (initial/micro level) Benefits Analysis
Review Client Data Secondary/Additional Line/ (multiple rounds)
Present Definition Process Audits
Document Validation of Competitive Audits (option)
Definition and Next Steps
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Process cost savings.
Saving money is smart business. Our process cost savings experts give you access to broad industry perspective and
And with Ernest Consulting, you the latest best practices. We look at your manufacturing and shipping processes,
can save more. your warehousing practices, and your packaging materials to uncover impactful
efficiencies. By identifying the most relevant, most easily actionable recommendations,
we deliver measurable results. Whether you’re looking to automate, go green, or get
lean, your Ernest consultants will help you make effective end-to-end changes that will
immediately improve your bottom line.
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Custom packaging.
Our custom packaging When you want access to the latest packaging materials and years of package
capabilities include: engineering experience, the Ernest Solutions Consulting Group is your only answer.
• Package concepting From our product and systems knowledge to our problem-solving skills, you can rest
• CAD designs assured that working with Ernest you will always get a packaging solution that meets
• Temperature-sensitive packaging the unique needs of your product.
• Sustainable packaging
We put the best minds in the business to finding you the perfect packaging solution.
• Prototyping Our expert designers and engineers are always coming up with new ideas for
• Product testing next generation packaging. And our Innovations Lab enables us to create and
• Retail POP test prototypes to ensure we present you the options best suited to your situation.
Whatever your packaging challenge, we will find the most cost-effective answer.
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The consulting team.
At Ernest, we take a team approach to our consulting engagements. Why? Because we want to give you the best
thinking on every aspect of your packaging needs. Our consultants have a wealth of experience working in specific
industries, with particular types of solutions, and different kinds of products. When you’re looking for new solutions
to your business challenges, their knowledge delivers real advantage.
Meet our experts Brian Porter Brian Bowen
Vice President, Client Relations Senior Consultant, Protective Packaging
Mike Martinez Dave Kavlich
Director of Consulting Services Senior Consultant,
Tapes, Adhesives & Systems
Stephen Simich
Creative Design Group - Terry L. Scott
Retail & Packaging Design Senior Consultant, Facility,
Safety & Sanitary Management
Tim Tisher
Senior Consultant, Food Greg Hildreth
Packaging & Automation Senior Consultant, Facility,
Safety & Sanitary Management
Sean Hunter
Senior Consultant, Shrink, Larry French
Stretch Film & Systems Senior Consultant, Cold Chain Solutions,
Research & Development
Dick Hribar
Senior Consultant, Corrugated
Structure & Design
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Brian Porter
Vice President, Client Relations
“We listen to the customer needs and what
they’re trying to accomplish.”
For a lot of us, life is a juggling act. With all the balls Brian keeps in the air at one
time, it’s nothing less than an art form. Years back, working on cruise ships and as
a manager of a rock band, even now as a single dad of two boys, Dallas and Dylan,
Brian always seems to have a lot on his plate. He’s even the President of his city’s
Little League.
Amazingly, when it comes to his work as Vice President and head of our Client
Relations, he’s just as energetic. With his attitude of making customers comfortable,
understanding their needs and objectives while still having fun, Brian is a great asset
to his clients and to us. We look forward to many more years of trying to keep up
with him.
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Mike Martinez
Director of Consulting Services
“ When you work with an Ernest expert, you know you’re getting
the best team to solve your packaging problems.”
“Ever improving” is Mike’s motto in life and work. He loves to see people invest in
themselves and hone their skills. He especially loves showing his customers how
they can be more environmentally conscious by eliminating unnecessary packaging
materials before they become waste. With over 20 years experience in senior
management at a leading manufacturer of corrugated products, he knows what he’s
talking about.
Ultimately, it all comes down to helping people. His expertise in design, configuring,
and impact of the market on supply, costing and contribution margin have made a
huge difference for many of our customers. When it comes to saving money and time
or finding a better way, Mike is ready to lend a hand.
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Stephen Simich
Creative Design Group - Retail & Packaging Design
At Ernest, when we think about the phrase “team player” it’s hard not to see Stephen’s
smiling face. During over 24 years working with us, he’s shared his passion for living,
learning and growing with every employee and many of our customers.
Stephen’s background as a mechanical engineer plays an important part in developing
the functional aesthetics for our customers’ packaging solutions. But, in truth, it’s his
incredible listening skills that ensure he creates package designs his customers love.
He asks questions, he explores the brand, and he applies his extensive knowledge of
substrates and effective design elements to create the ideal solution. All of his efforts
to get things “just right” demonstrate that he’s a man with a genuine heart that loves
putting his knowledge to work for others. And that makes him the perfect person to
have on your team.
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Tim Tisher
Senior Consultant, Food Packaging & Automation
Everyone says great ideas come from thinking “outside the box,” but for Tim, looking
inside the box is where amazing savings and solutions come from. He puts his exper-
tise in automation, materials, material design efficiencies, food processing, packaging
equipment systems and warehouse optimization to work for all of his clients.
Every day he faces creative challenges head-on with the determination to succeed.
He just puts one foot in front of the other, the same way he runs marathons. And when
you’ve run as many as he has (13 and counting), that adds up to real results. It’s the
way he built Ernest’s Food Packaging program and the same way he lives his life.
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Sean Hunter
Senior Consultant, Shrink, Stretch Film & Systems
Sean thrives on coming up with new ideas to solve customer challenges. And with
more than 20 years experience specializing in shrink and stretch film products, he’s
come up with a lot of solutions.
For him, it’s all about being creative – taking the unexpected perspective, exploring
new products, and challenging the status quo. That’s why he’s such a great fit here
at Ernest, because that’s what we’re about, too. When Sean can help a customer
save money, cut down on warehouse space, or lower their process costs, he goes
home satisfied with a job well done.
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Dick Hribar
Senior Consultant, Corrugated Structure & Design
You might call Dick a real company man. When you ask him what he’s most
passionate about, he’ll tell you, “My work.” And he means it. He’s known in the
industry for his engineering ingenuity. If you have a packaging design concept, he
can help you make it a practical reality.
He loves using materials and equipment to find the best solution for his customers.
And it’s an even bigger win if during the process he helps them uncover answers
to questions and problems they weren’t even aware they had. That’s just the kind
of person he is. But, it’s also testament to his firm belief in the core values, purpose
and commitment to customers we have at Ernest - all ideals that Dick truly lives by.
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Brian Bowen
Senior Consultant, Inner Packaging
With his love for sports like Ultimate Fighting and boxing, Brian brings unique
knowledge and perspective to his role as a Protective Packaging consultant. Who
better to find great ways to keep our customers’ products safe? But don’t let his
passion for conflict scare you. One of Brian’s favorite things about working at Ernest
Packaging Solutions is the family feel here. He’s a real people person that loves
working closely with his customers to change their business for the better.
With over ten years experience spent running his own packaging business, Brian,
brings broad perspective to helping find the best solutions for his customers. From
merchandising and sales to sourcing materials and testing designs he’s been
responsible for every aspect of getting a package to market. He even has a law
degree, so you know he’s exploring options from every angle.
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Dave Kavlich
Senior Consultant, Tapes, Adhesives & Systems
Some might say that Dave has a thirst for knowledge. Whether it’s uncovering the
latest developments in tapes and adhesives, learning how to play the guitar, listening
to live music with his family, or delving into history books and historical novels, he’s
always seeking new information and experiences.
That willingness to learn has served him well here at Ernest. His expertise in tapes
and adhesives is unmatched. Having worked as a sales person and product manager
for a manufacturer of double coated tapes, as well as in his own converting business
and as a manufacturer rep, he brings a substantial amount of experience and
perspective that he is happy to share. He loves going out with Customer Relations
Managers to meet with our customers and find out more about their needs. And
everyone appreciates the depth of product knowledge and the passion he brings to
his specialty.
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Terry L. Scott
Senior Consultant, Facility, Safety & Sanitary Management
Knowing that one of Terry’s favorite books is Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy gives you
great insight into who he is as a man, a co-worker and a senior consultant. Having two
daughters has given him patience and perspective, which is a gift he brings to his work
with our customers. While some of his cool and collected personality comes naturally,
he also knows the importance of recharging, whether that means relaxing in Palm
Springs, or as he calls it, “camping” at the Hilton.
His own quiet strength has helped him expand our product offering and increase its
presence across all divisions of the company. Building on his extensive expertise in
janitorial and sanitation products and programs, he has helped many of our customers
implement custom facilities management solutions to match their unique situation.
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Greg Hildreth
Senior Consultant, Facility, Safety & Sanitary Management
As a lover of nature, Greg is always looking to incorporate green and sustainable
products into solutions for our clients. He knows that in many cases it is both environ-
mentally responsible and economically profitable to find products and systems that
have the smallest possible impact on the planet. Having worked as a manufacturer’s
rep for a chemical company for many years he is an expert in everything from food
processing to housekeeping chemicals and understand all the options.
In all of his client engagements, he looks for solutions that are going to perform
better, save money, and are sustainable, safe and healthy. Ultimately, Greg knows
he’s accountable for the effect his actions have on the oceans that he surfs and the
mountains where he hikes and camps. Plus, when he helps clients make smart,
sustainable decisions, he feels good that he’s setting an important example for his
young daughter and helping to improve the Earth she’s going to inherit.
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Larry French
Senior Consultant, Cold Chain Solutions,
Research & Development
Larry is an innovator and an inspiration. He loves collaborating with customers to
come up with new solutions. And some of his proudest moments happen when
that teamwork results in something with great value. One such experience was
when he was able to launch a next-generation insulated pharmaceutical shipper
for the medical industry.
His background as a systems and chemicals engineer delivers great value to
our customers. He often finds himself developing new products and processes
to meet unique requirements or solve for special situations. It’s clear he’s in his
element when he’s on the leading edge.
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Ernest Packaging SolutionsTM Fresno, CA Los Angeles, CA Sacramento, CA
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