Michael Cook Email & Phone Number

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

• Managing multidisciplinary team responsible for over 100 university partnerships worldwide.• Successfully developing, designing and building industrial automation learning laboratories and research testbeds for hands on competency training, application research and development, digital talent recruitment and commercial growth (core team covers Asia Pacific, Latin America, EMEA and North America). • Supporting adoption of emerging industrial technologies such as networks, artificial… Show more • Managing multidisciplinary team responsible for over 100 university partnerships worldwide.• Successfully developing, designing and building industrial automation learning laboratories and research testbeds for hands on competency training, application research and development, digital talent recruitment and commercial growth (core team covers Asia Pacific, Latin America, EMEA and North America). • Supporting adoption of emerging industrial technologies such as networks, artificial intelligence, analytics, advanced manufacturing practices (connected enterprise/ Industry 4.0, IoT), mechatronics, collaborating with business units to support key initiatives and projects with universities, customers and industries. • Partnering with key industry partners (FANUC, Cisco, E+H, Microsoft, PTC, FESTO Didactic) for industrial internet of things (IoT) solutions, process control, robotics and mechatronics in the academic segment.• Partnering with key system integrators to develop smart manufacturing learning platforms.• Business case development, upgrades and technology migration, onsite training and application engineering support accountable to C- level leadership for investment and strategic direction of automation lab-centric program. Show less

Greater Milwaukee Area

•Strategy initiation, “discovery” analysis, strategic market segmentation, financial business case development, prioritization, annual strategy planning and development, annual operating plan input •Market access strategy, new product development projects across component product business, drives, and service and solutions delivery business units. Strong focus on Emerging EMEA (Russia, Turkey, South Africa), Latin America(Brazil and Mexico) and North America and China•Key horizontal… Show more •Strategy initiation, “discovery” analysis, strategic market segmentation, financial business case development, prioritization, annual strategy planning and development, annual operating plan input •Market access strategy, new product development projects across component product business, drives, and service and solutions delivery business units. Strong focus on Emerging EMEA (Russia, Turkey, South Africa), Latin America(Brazil and Mexico) and North America and China•Key horizontal initiatives such as Power and Energy, distributor profitability, North America Components market and process automation•Support strategy execution from partner, channel development , organic and inorganic growth and partnering(technology and delivery) Show less

St Louis, Missouri, United States

• Syngenta- Acquisition integration team for Biotech companies, part of R&D budgetary planning team. Lead R&D integration sub-team for Bio-tech companies Syngenta/ Garst and Robinson seeds and developed integration plan for board approval ($XM plan).

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

• SANLAM (long term life insurance) - Conducted new vendor partner due diligence. Financial analysis, competitive analysis, management checks, strategic analysis and provided recommendations.• Old Mutual (personal finance business unit)- Analysis, re-design, and documentation of new product introduction process. Focused on process design managing product provider needs with prioritization model launching new financial products to market timeously. Successfully implemented recommendations… Show more • SANLAM (long term life insurance) - Conducted new vendor partner due diligence. Financial analysis, competitive analysis, management checks, strategic analysis and provided recommendations.• Old Mutual (personal finance business unit)- Analysis, re-design, and documentation of new product introduction process. Focused on process design managing product provider needs with prioritization model launching new financial products to market timeously. Successfully implemented recommendations. • Metropolitan Insurance- Scanning and workflow design requirements for development and business unit integration. Show less

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

• Tiger Steel Wheels- Babelegi, Gauteng project installing process controls and optimization installations and OEE KPI’s, change management and information systems development.• International Healthcare Distributors- Business review and analytical work defining specific project optimization outcomes for facility use (Johannesburg). • SASKO (milling and baking)- Business review and management information system analysis (SAP).• Highveld Steel (structural steel mill)- Business… Show more • Tiger Steel Wheels- Babelegi, Gauteng project installing process controls and optimization installations and OEE KPI’s, change management and information systems development.• International Healthcare Distributors- Business review and analytical work defining specific project optimization outcomes for facility use (Johannesburg). • SASKO (milling and baking)- Business review and management information system analysis (SAP).• Highveld Steel (structural steel mill)- Business review (process optimization survey). • Implats MINPRO (platinum mine)- Business review fleet optimization and operations management.• Medihelp (medical insurance company)- Business review back and front office operations to manpower match and balance.• British Petroleum and Castrol- Project management to integrate 2 large oil companies (multiple locations- Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg).• Kohler Cores and Tubes (paper specialty company)- Business review of core and tube production.• Metrofile (document management)- Business operations process and sales optimization review.• Xstrata (chrome mine)- Business review mine operations.• Volta Aluminum Company (primary smelter JV with Kaiser Aluminum)- Business output optimization review Ghana, West Africa. • New Vaal Collieries (open cast coal mine)- Business review operations, process optimization and cost containment. • Lazarus Motors (vehicle dealership)- Business review motor sales and operations.• MGX (data storage)- Business review data conversions, operations and strategic alignment of divisions.• Cadbury (chocolate confectionary)- Business analysis of operations and systems. Implementation management operating systems, KPI’s, organizational change management, development of ISO 9001 standard operating procedures, throughput increases and scheduling and planning. • Volkswagen (paint shop)- Business review and paint-shop project installation focusing on process, quality and maintenance. Show less

Klerksdorp, North-West, South Africa

Legal litigation proceedings of a civil, tort and criminal nature in lower and higher courts. Advised clients in marital, financial and contractual matters and performed legal aid work for indigent clients.

Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Specialist litigation training , presentation of evidence, court skills, ethical conduct, research and provision of opinions on commercial and legal issues. Pro Bono appearances in criminal appeals on behalf of indigent persons.

Mba, Finance , Statistics And Operations Management Emphasis

Activities and Societies: Distinction for MBA Thesis entitled- "“Forecasting Cyclical turning points in the South African economy.

Bachelors Of Law Ll.B (Postgraduate), Law

Activities and Societies: Wine tasting, Karate Club, Running, Club, Street Law and Legal Aid Clinic

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Politics And Anthropology

Activities and Societies: University Karate team, Wine-tasting team and Half marathon Inter-university team

Bachelor Of Laws - Llb