Darren Gray

I joined Acal in May 2000 as Operations Director, having started my career in distribution as a YTS Trainee 12 years earlier.  As Operations Director I was responsible for distribution, production and value added services.  In February 2001, I was seconded to Acal’s ERP project as the Purchase Order Processing (“POP”) specialist.  We implemented the new system within one of the UK business units and in the Netherlands.  I subsequently became Project Manager for the ERP team and managed the implementations in Germany, Belgium and at a further UK site.

In May 2005, I was appointed Group Logistics Director, which was a newly created role.  As we now had a common ERP platform across several countries, I began a programme of consolidation within the distribution function.  I also set up and began enhancing a central service facility.  As the ERP team rolled out the ERP system to further countries, we consolidated the warehousing, purchasing and inventory management.

Once the centralisation was complete, I moved back to the Division full-time as a member of the Divisional management team.  In December 2009, Acal acquired BFi Optilas.  I was an active member of the acquisition team and subsequently the integration team for Acal Technology and BFi Optilas.  As part of the integration, we consolidated two European warehouses into one.  I also took on responsibility for the German Hub (Inventory, Purchasing & Distribution) and have continued to be part of the management team for the enlarged Division and my current role is Divisional Operations Director.

During the time I have worked for the company, I have been involved in a number of mergers and acquisitions, experienced various economic cycles, as well as managing consolidation and centralisation.  My roles have been extremely varied and interesting and I have been able to take on an increasing amount of responsibility.