As a consultant for product manufacturers I solely champion what is in their best interest.

RAM Consulting provides business and technical consulting and contracting in the area of strategic project management related to the TIC (Testing/Inspection/Certification) industries. Although I worked for many years at NSF, now as an independent business consultant and contractor I work with multiple testing labs and certification companies to provide what’s in the best interest of the client. As a consultant I have more insight as to how different testing and certification organizations operate and their value proposition to companies making products for different industries and applications. My goal is the best outcome and satisfaction of the client, so I work to find the best match when testing and certification services are needed.

In my new role I consult with companies so they make the best decisions for their business. I provide project management contracting beyond initial strategy consulting. I use my experience of the industry, market, products, standards, testing, certification companies etc. to achieve the best outcome for my clients. On some projects I network with other consultants in order to deliver customized solutions tailored to the needs of my clients. This translates into faster time to market, less stress and unknowns for the manufacturer, elimination of expensive and time consuming pratfalls and problems, and reduced cost compared to when they go it alone.

What I found in my many years at NSF is that most client companies are run very lean, and their staff don't have time to learn or become experts in all areas of product evaluation, standards, codes, testing and certification on top of their existing ‘day-job’. Accordingly, all of their focus and time is spent on product design, supplier negotiation, production, sales and distribution. A recurring theme was their need for help understanding and navigating the murky and misunderstood market requirements related to codes, DoE or R&D testing, inspection, certification, standards writing and code revision, related to initial market entry and ongoing product stewardship.

Essentially the manufacturers temporarily needed an impartial and trusted black-belt, hired-gun (sort of a cross between a Ninja and old West gun-slinger) to cut through the haze and double talk, get things done for them, and then quietly go away.

My work as an independent consultant now is a much more diverse in scope than when I was at NSF. While at NSF I represented what was best for NSF while trying to find a win-win for the client/company and NSF. I was primarily helping companies with strategic product testing/certification and understanding the market, business and technical requirements through decisions related to some traditional NSF standards and services. Some common examples were helping companies with market entry services in the areas of water treatment, circulation and distribution industries like municipal and/or residential drinking water products, water treatment chemicals and products, industrial, waste water, electrical safety product testing and recreational water industries and the commercial food equipment manufacturing industry. During those years I learned a great deal about the North American market as well as international market access. So I appreciate the challenges faced by every company as they try to decode the complex web of requirements to bring products to market.

Some of the projects I am working on evidence the need to know the right people and how to use one's network of industry contacts. A particular company couldn't cut through the regulatory red tape to discern the actual requirements to get their products accepted in a certain region or market. That’s not surprising as often, it’s not a simple or well cut out requirement. In some cases a company doesn't need to obtain a traditional 3rd party certification, but they need to evidence conformity with local codes, standards, or other regulations. There are times when the right solution for my client involves bringing in other subject matter experts. On those projects I network with and manage other consultants in order to deliver customized solutions tailored to the product manufacturer. That's not as common with projects which require traditional 3rd party testing or certification services. But no matter the needs, RAM Consulting is able to directly help using only in-house support services or build up a team up with other experts to meet client needs.

Most clients seek expert guidance of their testing and certification to various industry standards such ASTM, ASME, CSA, IAPMO, NSF, UL, etc. In fact the most common requests relate to water standards such as NSF/ANSI Standards 14, 42, 50, 53, 60, 61, etc. or standards for commercial food equipment such as NSF 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. In those cases I use my years of technical knowledge of the standards, policies, inner workings, process, and project pricing of the testing labs to benefit the client. In some situations I bring in other subject matter experts from my network and manage other consultants to benefit the product manufacturer. For NSF Standards related projects, I provide the client the added benefit of having many years of direct work with key past and current staff at NSF as well as other agencies. Those relationships as well as my knowledge base enables us to efficiently determine a clear path to getting things done in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

Most clients 1st need initial strategic product/market consulting. After initial discussion with potential new clients I determine work scope options and projected pricing. I factor in the project complexity, client urgency, reporting needs, and project administration. In this way I create value for the client by removing the mystery and headaches while providing much needed support. Typically most then need some scope or duration of technical project management services to get the job done. Then they can go back to design, building and selling of products.

Give me a call or send me an email or text to learn more about how I will benefit your company via business and market consulting or project management. From our discussion I can give you cost estimates for different service scopes whether it’s:

1) Business strategy consultation (normally a tele-conference or face to face meeting at industry event, show, etc.)

2) Competitive pricing projects (manufacturers that seek quotes from more than one test lab or certification company)

3) Initial review of technical requirements, standards, regulatory compliance, product design (typically includes development of summary report and/or cost proposal if other 2nd or 3rd party services testing/certification is appropriate for the client)

4) Problem solving skills and services related to product testing, conformity assessment, annual or 5-yr test results, annual inspections, special Design of Experiment and or R&D testing.

5) Project management, business and technical contracting (i.e. liaison with one or more entities, testing lab, or certification firms to facilitate market access for the client)

6) Representation at regulatory, government, standards or code meetings, and other industry events.

7) Certification check-up, to make sure you are getting the most value from your Certifier.

8) On-going consulting, project management, or support with product stewardship.

Prospective clients are interested in RAM Consulting Services LLC representing their business interests with other agencies such as CSA, EPA, DOE, Intertek, IAPMO, ICC, KIWA, NSF, UL, WQA, etc.

I know the service providers, people, standards, systems and process allowing me to spot and mitigate problems before they occur and identify the most efficient path. This approach yields a much better outcome than if the client managed all such work in-house. That said there are some project scopes that I find are sufficiently low in complexity and risk. In such instances I advise and support the client to manage such work directly via their in-house staff provided they have such resources available. When that is the best path forward, that is usually a quick determination in the first client interaction. Most client companies need RAM Consulting due to their lack of staffing, high work load and they benefit from my hard work, business and technical knowledge, honesty, clear and detailed explanation, industry experience, and integrity. Below are some of the common standards writers and testing lab certification companies I network with to meet client needs.

Standards and Code Writers

-ASTM, ASME, CSA, CDC, FDA, ICC, IAPMO, NSF, UL, etc.

Certification Companies

-CSA, WQA, NSF, UL, KIWA, IAPMO, ICC-ES, ALS, Intertek, Eurofins, etc.