Richard Birks

Part time instructor in the (CTS) Custom Training Solutions. Provide

training and consultative solutions to companies in the areas of advanced manufacturing, computer applications and programming, safety and leadership, industrial automation and maintenance.

Training can be in class room at NWC or at customers sight.

My role was to teach all phases of electrical, drawings, all platforms of Allen Bradley PLC'S and HMI and Instrumentation. Tools used are hard cover booklets, actual electrical components, PLC'S, HMI and field devices used in manufacturing.

• I had all Engineering responsibilities for this Liquid egg drying company. I reported to the President of the company. My priority was to design and implement all new egg farms equipment processing and automated systems to capture raw eggs and get ready for transportation to the Adrian, MI plant. I also oversaw all projects and design for the Crimson Adrian, MI facility. I designed a new process and retrofitted other to run raw eggs through the plant to a spray dryer. Programmed new Allen Bradley HMI and PLC programs to automate quipment and systems. Worked on all plant CIP system for optimization that reduced water and chemical consumption.
• Did innovative design and implementation of production projects such as Protogenean, Pellet systems, HTST, Barrel system transfer and cleaning. Provided plant support for technical issues maintenance could not manage. Provided plant instrument calibrations and provided personal training classes for production and Maintenance.
• My position ended with the company In May 2024 as company went Chapter 11 due to lack of sales.

• Responsible for all aspects of the company. Started with nothing except a few thousand in bank. Developed all web design, marketing materials and company paperwork, quote forms, sales order. Invoicing Started to design manufacture systems for three industries food, dairy and beverage.
• Did the entire project such as the pricing, design process and automation, drafting mechanical PID and controls, Figuring out what parts, instrumentation, boilers, air compressors, cooling and heat systems, valves, pumps, and other equipment. Managed all trades and supervised installations. Did all the PLC and HMI programs for the systems and plant training.
• Have done complete plants such as Milk bottling/Ice Cream manufacturing operations, supplied all equipment and electrical did all mechanical, electrical, control drawings. Managed all contractors for installations. I automated the entire facility using Allen Bradley HMI and PLC'S.
• Stopped company as I was tired of traveling around the country, living in hotels for weeks and months at a time. Wanted to be home more.

• Responsible for the management of Plant Engineer, all Maintenance Mangers, Inventory Parts Clerk In all 3 manufacturing plants, locations Defiance, OH, Adrian, MI and Jerome, Idaho. I reported to President of the company and collaborated closely with the Director of Operations, Interfaced daily with production supervision and quality control. Worked on company Steering committee for planning yearly and 5-year plans for the company. Sometimes would go to the Board of Directors meetings. Complete evaluation studies on equipment efficiencies and Employee performance. Worked with all plant equipment operators on issues or improvements. Developed Maintenance training modules on the aspects of maintenance too many to mention here. Took the Defiance facility and made major changes to equipment and labor efficiencies. Replace the entire product unloading, separation, RO system. Installed new equipment such as pumps, valves, heat exchanger, instruments. Completed design of the mechanical and electrical systems. Automated the entire system with Allen Bradley PLC and HMI systems. Documented and trained employees. Instituted a new preventive and inventory software program. Instituted the plant Maintenance employees to run and weld sanitary tubing, install equipment, build electrical panels, and installed, formed a construction crew, no more outside source required. Developed countless training programs for equipment and controls for all 3 plants.
• Adrian, MI Facility Managed Maintenance manger and completed duties like Defiance. We installed completely new canning lines for Walmart. Complete redesigned raw receiving and separation with the load system. Instituted one employee to get his Journey Man electrical license, so all electrical work would done in house. So much more to mention here. Have designed various fluids and processing systems at plants. As a contractor has added countless processes, pasteurizer system with controls.
• Jerome, ID Facility Hired and managed Maintenance manager and completed duties like Defiance. For 7 months I designed a completely built Evaporated Canning Plant. Spec and purchased all processing and packaging equipment. Design, electrical, Utilities, Did all the process, electrical controls, instruments, and programming. Did project cost, scheduled and managed all contractor on project. Evaluate and start up plant process and train employees. Supplied final documentation for project.

• Designed automation systems for all types of manufacturers. Designed the electrical, pneumatic system and used CAD to do all electrical drawings and PLC cabinet layouts using CAD. Designed and programmed a system for Purolator to evaluate the Bendix of a motor starter. Using a fully automated system using load cells to read the run out and torque. Complete systems for Corning Glass to drill holes through the catalytic converter logs using Nitric Acid and high current. The operation prior was to use drills. Did RO system repair for Diehl Incorporated.

• Responsible for all manufacturing equipment and utilities. Managed all Maintenance and parts room personal. Created all department budget system with monthly spending projections. Worked with production Mangers, supervisors, accounting, and Human Resources. Responsible for all equipment repair, replacement, Maintenance Budgets. Bought Natural gas for plant daily. While at the plant designed and had installed new milk unloading system, separation, CIP, evaporation drying, Wastewater plant and complete lactose plant. Involved in drying 10,000 PPH of whole milk with Lactose for MM Mars. Worked with PHD food scientist to design the perfect operation to inject lactose crystals in dryer with whole milk spraying. Managed 6 to 100 people at times. Did training for operators and Maintenance. Always worked with USDA, FDA, State Inspectors, and safety consultants. Fully understand PMO and other manufacturing requirements.

• (Welder) Started welding with stick for steel. I installed sanitary piping using tig welding with Argon gas. Worked as sanitary piping installer for plant projects.
• (Maintenance Man) Trouble shooting and working on all types of equipment, boilers, air compressors, ammonia systems, chill water, valves, pumps, hydraulics, and other process systems. Did all types of industrial wiring, 24 VAC, 24 VDC, 120 AC, 240 AC, 460 AC Single and 3-phase. Control signals 4-20 Ma, 0-10 VDC, 1-5 vdc. Used all types of pneumatic, electrical hardware.
• (Controls technician) Rebuilt, repaired, trouble shooting and calibrations on all plant instrumentation. Pneumatic and electronic recorders, controllers, RTD's pressure transmitter, flow meters, scales, and other instruments. 1ST In Country to work with Partlow instrument company on the 7,000 series recorder and turn it in to a full PID controller. Responsible for all plant instrumentation and calibrations. Worked with Taylor, Anderson, Partlow, ABB, Foxboro, Setra, E&H, and many more.
• (Automation Programmer) Wired and installed the first PLC that came on the market. Programmed these PLC to control all plant manufacturing equipment and complete systems. The manufacturers were Westinghouse 1500 and 1200, Square D 100, 300 and 400, PLC2, PLC 5, SLC, RS studio, and HMI. Designed all automation panels, wiring and programming of the system. Finally, did start up and documentation and training. 1ST in the USA to evaluate Westinghouse 1200 plc used in a project evaporator and dryer system. Worked with Westinghouse Engineers with issues found and ideas to add to the software to better controls.
• (Engineering) Designed process systems utilizing steam, cooling water, products. Mechanical and electrical system, Instrumentation systems. Wired and installed the first PLC that came on the market. Programmed these PLC to control all plant manufacturing equipment and complete systems. The manufacturers were Westing House 1500 and 1200, Allen Bradley 100, 300 and 400. Designed all automation panels, wiring and programming of the system. Finally, did start up and documentation and training. On call 24 seven.
• Maintenance Supervisor. Managed forman and employees on my shift. Responsible for all aspects of job.

• Dismantled Tank and box railroad cars. Replace all sections of the rail car, side sheets, roofs totally rebuild rail cars. Welded high pressure tank cars that x rayed all my welds. I used Stick and Mig welders and torches. Obtained certification for high pressure tank cars, my welds were x rayed.

• Poured new house foundation and finished floors. Laid concrete block and brick for houses. Used all types of equipment and tools for this field.

• Built new homes. Did custom kitchens and baths. Small buildings. House remodeling. Residential plumbing and electrical. Used all construction tools and painting equipment.