Michael - T Knowles Curriculum Vitae

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Michael T Knowles M Sc 11 Powlett Court, Bath BA2 6QJ
knowlesmt@hotmail.com

Professional Research & Marketing Consultant in international business, export management, industrial analysis, computing and tourism.

Previous Employment
Interests
Career Highlights
Work Experience

Present activity: Academic research and publishing at British, French and German Parliaments, with total of 30 pamphlets in three languages archived in the Six Legal Deposit Libraries of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Main focus of research is the decline of UK manufacturing industry since 1975.

MK Marketing: Small Business since 1992 under Conservative Government White Paper Cm 540:

Small business based in Bath: with secondary office in F-95420 Genainville, near Magny-en-Vexin, Normandy. Marketing consultancy for freight forwarders David Harris International, attempting to stimulate UK manufacturers/exporters to engage in the continental market. Promotions via the hub-and-spoke network of UK chambers of commerce and industry, e.g. Slough and Sussex chambers. Colour Brochures with MK professional photography produced to improve old-fashioned and amateur image.

Local Enterprise Scheme: from visit to UK open-top tour operator Guide Friday Ltd in January 1992: Total project to create and introduce open-top double-deck tourist buses with left-hand drive, right-hand passenger doors, and Metric Maintenance (copyright MK) based on abortive Foden/Rolls-Royce QHV.

International business and market research consultancy: Multi-lingual legal search work often under contract to a Bath company formation specialist, Datasearch Ltd. Translation and development of own PC-based foreign-language management system MK-LMS for UK exporters. Most significant European marketing projects as below:

Animal-feed micro-weighing systems in France (CJB Yeovil)
OT Bus demonstration in SW France (Southern Vectis plc)
Technical research into UK industry fastenings practice
Injection-moulded rubber components (Avon Rubber plc)
Research into alginates and xanthan gum (Kelco UK Ltd)
Research into controlled-release drugs (Kelco UK Ltd)
Research into cogeneration in France (British Gas plc)

Journalism and publishing in: The Economist Intelligence Unit, The Commercial Motor, Vintage Roadscene, Historic Commercial Vehicle News, Model Engineer, Truck-Modell (Germany) and various local newspapers in France and UK, mainly on truck and bus industry

European marketing in 1990 - 1991 for Centurion, UK manufacturer of plastic safety helmets and related products, including:

Finalisation of French-language brochures, price-lists and offer letters laser-printed to French domestic standard
Stand work at the 1990 EXPOPROTECTION trade fair in Paris, leading to SNCF export contract
Market research to identify potential competitors and regional distributors, followed by visit programme
Management of French-language mailings to regional safety-product distributors around France
Consultancy concerning Anglo-French distributorship agreements, including translation and innovations for European Single Market
Creation and management of foreign-language correspondence following trade-fair enquiries.
Automated foreign-language text management system MK-LMS based on the reversal of German company practice using Auslandskorrespondenten/innen in the marketing function.

Subcontracted research for Corporate Development Consultants Ltd, Thornbury, near Bristol:

Visit to K-Messe International Plastics Fair Düsseldorf Autumn 1989
Fieldwork on plastics converters in France and West Germany 1990
Market research into plastic substitution of gas and water pipe networks
Sample of 600 gas companies and 6,000 water companies in Germany
Visits to pipe manufacturers e.g. Rehau and fusible coupling patentees

Anglo-German work from base in Munich from mid-1985 to mid-1989:

Export translation and consultancy at Siemens AG Munich Direct Export Department DV 55 for EDP systems. Responsible for German-English translations from export department for 15 national markets without Siemens subsidiary companies; additionally senior management presentations to the Siemens Informatics Convention, 1986. Also the following projects from home office in Unterhaching township:

German-Canadian Co-operation in Public Rapid Transit (IABG at Ottobrunn)
Visit to Essen Dual-Mode diesel/electric urban buses on reserved trackways
Ad-hoc proof-reading and correction of export literature for Munich exporters
Consultancy/management for UK CV manufacturer (Artix Ltd & AWD-Bedford)
Complete marketing package for entry of above to booming continental CV market
Germanisation of sales literature and videotape programme for D J B Brown group
Market research into West German electric pump industry for Stuart Turner Ltd.

Operations from Bath as TEKMAR SERVICES based in Bath from Jan 1982 to mid-1985:

Major research project into car radiator consumption in mainland Europe: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France for Lianelli Radiators (then a division of Unipart) for PA Consulting Ltd

Research into laser platemakers, computerised production and remote-site printing of newspapers in: West Germany, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, France, Belgium & Netherlands,

Research into technical approval and export marketing of electric fountain pumps in FRG (Stuart Turner Ltd)

Market research into municipal road-sweeper sector in France (FMC)

Business research for micro-hydraulic systems in Baden-Wûrttemberg (Prutec)
Market research in West Germany on home computers (Prutec)
Research into electrically-assisted pedal cycles (BEVA)
Trade fairs for technical, educational and hobby goods: esp. Nuremberg Fair 1980-1990
Foreign advertising and joint-ventures in hobby press, adverts in French & German magazines
International mailings and promotions for European market entry
Automated A-V presentations of technical products with foreign-language sound-tracks and special audio effects
Historical presentations and conferences in SW France. Research and lectures on the history of transporter bridges/aerial ferries, of which the last in France is at Rochefort. Three lectures at the French Navy facilities & for the Paleographic Archivist, which led to restoration of the Pont de Martrou with funds from the French Ministry of Culture at Poitiers. Four-language interpreter at centenary meeting on first transporter at Portugalete/Las Arenas on the River Nervion at Bilbao, with 100 visitors and contributors from France, Germany, Spain and even the Welsh Office, UK.

Previous salaried employment

1980 - 81 Research officer at University of Bath School of Engineering: M Sc work on digital computer simulation of a city-bus drive system for Leyland Vehicles Ltd on New Titan B.15 dd bus.

1978 - 79 Technical Sales Engineer for German ZF Gear group with activities in UK, Eire, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France. Earthmoving, military, large and small marine transmissions1 and HCV products, responsible for DM 14 m (£4 m) sales.

1976 - 77 Overseas Distributor Sales Manager, Rolls-Royce Motors Diesel Division. Management responsibility for sales of diesel engines via 95 distributors, totalling £2.5 m. Tours of duty in Australia, New Zealand, Algeria, W. Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and Malta (for Conference).

1973 - 75 Consultant in Marketing and Industrial Development Division of Metra Consulting Group, London. Assignments in USA, France, W. Germany, Austria, Saudi Arabia and Scotland.

1972 - 73 Representative EEC for Fodens Limited (UK heavy truck manufacturers). Based at London office and responsible to Executive Director Exports.

1969 - 72 P.A. to chairman at London HQ of BLMC; International product specialist and price analyst. Participation in BL Overseas Distributor Convention at Longbridge and Silverstone (October 1971).

1968 - 69 Transport and Distribution Planner at Air Products Ltd, New Malden, Surrey (AEC Fleet).

1966 - 68 Graduate Management Trainee at Leyland Motors Ltd and group heavy vehicle factories.

1963 - 66 University of Manchester Faculty of Technology; B Sc Honours in Metallurgy with technical German and computing, member of Engineering Society and Owens Park Student Village.

1956 - 63 Birkenhead School: A & O levels, Sergeant Army Cadets, MT Platoon & first XV rugby.

Interests: History, photography, music, active member of Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.

SOME CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Best degree finals paper - Management Science.

Joined Britain's leading commercial vehicle company, the Leyland Motor Corporation.

- Passed double-deck bus driving test at Leyland, courtesy of J Fishwick & Sons Ltd.

German language course at University of Heidelberg.

- Named the “Crusader" vehicle while at Scammell Motors.

- Selected from 1965/66 Leyland student intakes to be P.A. to the Chairman, Lord Stokes, at

London headquarters.

-Passed HGV Class 1 driving test at Abingdon; Chosen as presenter of BL commercial vehicle range at BL International marketing convention, held at Longbridge and Silverstone.

Participated at Britain's first motor show in the EEC, the Brussels Salon d'Auto in January.

Chosen by Metra Consulting Group from 72 contenders for international consultancy post.

Chosen by Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd from 48 contenders for international sales management post.

two trips around the world, for Rolls-Royce Motors Diesel Division and SMMT.

1978/9- Gained international experience in UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands & West Germany

Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG, Europe's leading power transmissions manufacturer.

-Became computer-literate in the service of British industry on Leyland/DoI contract at Bath University School of Engineering.

-Held exhibition and lecture at Bath and Southampton Universities on the history of the cross-channel train-ferry service.

-Founded first consultancy business in Bath city centre, Tekmar Sevices, on 2nd January.

-Moved to Munich, West Germany, and Europe's leading computer manufacturer, Siemens AG.

-Re-introduced Meccano into West German retail market at major department stores.

-Participated as lecturer and 4-language interpreter at international conference on historical bridges, held at Rochefort (Charente Maritime) by French Navy.

-Carried out definitive research into UK industry's problems in Europe in the run-up to 1992, based on figures in CBI report "A Tale of Two Companies" (a comparison of UK and Germany).

MK made a private visit to Australia in November 1995, written up in Historic Commercial News. Highlights: Tempe Bus & Truck Museum, Sydney, and city bus workshops in Sydney and Perth.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Industrial Marketing
International marketing of:
- Commercial vehicles
- Diesel engines
- Transmissions, automotive and marine
- Small marine gears
- Hydrostatic drive systems
- Technical leisure products
- Lubricants
- Industrial pumps
- Commercial EDP systems
Product Planning
- Heavy commercial vehicles in Europe
- Medium-weight export bus chassis
- Presentation and packaging of consumer products
Industrial Market Research
Participation at various levels in studies on:
- Technology transfer (USA)
- International acquisitions (UK/US/Europe)
- Hard-metal cutting tools (FRG/Austria)
- Bulk liquid transport by road (UK)
- Railway air conditioning equipment (Austria)
- Industrial instrumentation (France)
- Copper consumption (Saudi Arabia)
- Earthmoving equipment (FRG)
- International publishing venture (UK/FRG)
- Patent and licensing policy (Japan/Europe)
- Industrial paint utilisation (UK)
- Microhydraulics (FRG)
- Car radiator consumption (Europe)
- Laser platemakers (Europe/Scandinavia)
- Robotics in production engineering (FRG)
- Micro-cars produced/used in France (F)
- Earthmoving equipment(Finland)
- The ideal industrial supplier in the eyes of German buyers (FRG)
Overseas Representation and Trade Missions
- Diesel engine distribution – RRM
- (Algeria, Belgium, France, FRG, Switzerland)
- Prototype transmission assessment and test – ZF (Belgium)
- Distributor training, truck engines - RRM & Foden (Singapore)
- Pricing studies for HCVs – BL (Denmark)
- Small marine gears/engines (Eire)
- Demonstrations to overseas distributors - BL
- SMMT Trade Mission (New Zealand)
- Extended tour of duty – RRM (Australia & New Zealand)
Overseas Exhibitions and Demonstrations
- Geneva Motor Show – BLMC (Switzerland)
- Brussels Motor Show 1973 - Foden (Belgium)
- Expomat Paris – RPM (France)
- Bauma, Munich – RPM (FRG)
- Brenner Autobahn Snowplough Demonstration – RPM (Austria)
- Schiphol, airport equipment exhibition (Holland)
- Southampton Boat Show (ZF) (GB)
- Nuremberg Fair - hobby/leisure goods (FRG)
Technical Translations
- Translation of technical brochures into French, Flemish and German using subcontracted services
- Translation of technical documents from French, Dutch and German into English, eg articles and instructions
- Translation of technical German catalogues including text redesign
- Programs, contracts, brochures and COCOM submissions for Siemens IT division
- Negotiated homologation of D J B Brown Group “Multidrive” vehicles at TÜV in Munich FRG
Publicity activities
- Conception, production and placement of four-colour advertisements in European magazines
- Design and production of sales brochures including foreign-language versions, for technical products
- Design and execution of direct mail promotions including mailing 1ist creation
- Press releases in foreign languages
Computer Experience
- Programming in H-level Fortran and creation and development of digital simulations on Honeywell Multics and ICL 2980 computers
- Wide range of interactive commands and active functions including fault diagnosis and graphical representation of output on Multics
- Use of South West Universities Research Computer Network for batch processing of developed dynamic simulations
- Post-processing of research results to yield performance diagrams based on contemporary European industrial practice
- Text and graphics processing on Siemens TS580/55ll/EMS Systems including BS2000 textsystem-to-mainframe link
- Development of iterative gear-train tooth-finder programs with adjustable error criteria, and ready-reckoners for the rapid calculation and comparison of internal-combustion engines, including bmep, torque, etc
Television, A-V and Video Experience
- Location Management for UK Channel 4 TV programme subcontractor
- Industrial A-V shows with English and foreign-language soundtracks
- Application of foreign language sound to commercial videotape programmes
Conventions and Conferences
- Planner and presenter in British Leyland International Distributor Convention, October 1971
- Participated in European & overseas distributor conferences with Rolls-Royce Motors Diesel Division, 1977/8 (Church Stretton/Malta)
Historical Research Assignments and Presentations
- The introduction of the diesel engine into road transport vehicles (D/GB)
- The cross-channel train-ferry service (B/F/GB)
- History of transporter bridges worldwide (D/E/F/GB/US)
- Evolution of the standard railway gauge In France (F)
- Evolution of the all-wheel-drive heavy vehicle (D/F/GB/US)
- Two closely-related steam locomotives of 1838/42 (A/GB)
- The River Dee and the shipyard of J Crighton and Co Ltd at Chester (GB)
- Miscellaneous movable bridges, ferry steamers, motor vehicles, engines, mechanisms and other surface-transport subjects
Technical and Experimental Projects
- “Epicyclic Gears for Normal Mortals” - two part didactic article for three technical hobby publications (GB)
- “Advanced Gear Systems” - two-part article including design of radio-controlled six-speed model truck transmission; published in magazine “Constructor Quarterly” 1989 (GB)
- “The Wilson Epicyclic Gear Box” - working model and commemorative article in German for model engineering group in Starnberg (Nr. Munich) (FRG)
- Translated into English and expanded for magazine “Model Engineer” (GB)
- Electronic (analogue) simulation of diesel engine performance in an electric motor based on two operational amplifiers - for application in scale models etc (D/GB)
- Research into screw-thread systems with special reference to marketing of UK-produced engineering products in Continental European markets (CH/D/F/GB/NL)
- Patent searches into intellectual property of selected UK and European companies in vehicle sector (D/F/GB) and Espacenet European Patent Office database (from November 2005)
Financial Experience
- Price analysis studies for commercial vehicles in European markets - BLMC
- Logistic plan of pricing and invoicing system for vehicles and parts for European marketing operation – business plan for proposed company Fodens Europe SA based in Luxembourg
- Marketing plan for ZF small marine gears (from ISA Spain) including ancillary equipment
- Full range of commercial and pricing activities for RR diesel engines and ZF transmissions
- Marketing Services business - MK Marketing is now expanded with research and publishing activities, and incorporated in Research & Marketing c/o Lloyds TSB Bank Bath BA1 1DN

Updated: August 2006