Monday, March 24, 2008

Introducing. . .David Applin

Title/Position/responsibilities at Barbour: VP Purchasing & Distribution. On the front-end of our business, I work with vendors around the world who print/bind our books and get them into our warehouse on time. On the back-end I oversee the warehouse staff and processes that help us ship orders out to our customers efficiently.
How long have you worked at Barbour? Almost 15 years
What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in your years with the company? Our ability to serve customers (retail stores) by shipping orders in 24 hours.
What are your dreams for Barbour’s near future? I’m very excited about our new Title Management and ERP software. I believe that this is going to be the tool that enables us to work smarter in the next 5 years.
What is your favorite task associated with your job description? Least favorite? The part of my job that I enjoy the most is building relationships with vendors. I can’t really think of a least favorite task...
Are there any areas under your supervision in which you’re actively searching for new projects? We are constantly reviewing our processes in the warehouse and making improvements that help us reach our 24-hour order turn time.
What project is consuming your energies this month? See above.
Do you ever find time to read for pleasure? If so, what book have you read recently? I read in phases. If I find a book, series or author that I really connect with, I get very involved. I started the Harry Potter series a few months before the last book was released and read through all 7 books consecutively. That series hooked me.
Can you tell us briefly about your family? My wife Melanie and I are approaching our 25th anniversary this year. We have 4 children: Dane is 19; Drew is 17: Paige & Pierce are 15 and about to get their driving permits, so you can pray for me.
What church do you attend? Berlin Christian Fellowship in Berlin, OH, for about 5 years now.
Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you these days? “…it’s not about who is right, it’s about what is right”. Pastor Tim Troyer

6 comments:

Mary Connealy said...

I looked up ERP software. You understand that I had to, right? It sounded like some kind of computerized biofeedback anti-nausea program.
Anyway, it sounds completely confusing, which is a term I can apply to abou 99% of all computer stuff...okay 99.9%
I can just barely post a comment to this blog.
Good luck with the driver's ed. I had to teach all four of my girls to drive. My husband was uniquely un-qualified to help.
He had a reaction to being a passenger with a learning driver that could probably be diagnosed as tourette syndrome.

Pam Hillman said...

Well, Mary, I had to look up tourette syndrome! lol

David, great to "meet" you. Unlike our mutual friend Mary, I do *get* your job.

By day, I'm a Purchasing Manager/Materials Manager for an OEM company, so I work with vendors, lead times, inventory control...the whole nine yards.

Tip of the day from Pam:

"As far as I'm concerned, it hasn't shipped 'til I have a Tracking Number!"

'Nuf said.

Most days I feel like I'm playing one of those "whack-a-mole" games just plugging holes.

NancyMehl said...

Hi, David. Great to "meet" you. Thank you for all you do for Barbour. We appreciate you!

Janet Spaeth said...

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary. 25 years is nothing to sneeze at!

And I love the quote. It's certainly something we should all bear in mind as we head through life.

We should have a contest to explain what ERP software is (although I do like Mary's initial thought). I think it's Extra Reading Pleasure. I'm right, aren't I?

Good to meet you!

Anonymous said...

DID YOU LADIES FALL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH? WE MISS YOU WHEN YOU DON'T WRITE!

Pam Hillman said...

lol - Janet! ERP...

Endless Round of Polishing
Editing Results in Perfection