The Team

JOHN O’CONNOR

PROFILE

CHIEF CONSULTANT

John O’Connor has worked in the textile industry for over 50 years, and as a consultant for the past 25 years. John has managed the largest textile vertical operations in Australia predominately in the woven fabric sector.

A Diploma in Business Management and certified as an Associate of the Textile Institute underpin the vast experience in textile manufacturing.

Either as a manager or as a consultant, John has been engaged to elevate performance – albeit in volume, reduced off-quality, productivity, plant reliability by engaging employees to take ownership of assets and processes and having them adopt a preparedness for cross-skilling and up-skilling. Mentoring the management and supervisory teams in the process of establishing robust process controls and procedures with regular auditing to ensure compliance.

Aligning those support structures supporting the production process to the timeliness of their service delivery
John has experience across apparel, home textiles, industrial filtration & outdoor fabrics sectors. He has also project managed textile plant relocation from various parts of the world mainly into Asia.

This knowledge, experience and business acumen that John brings offers the opportunity to textile manufacturing organizations to fast track sustainable business improvement projects.

GARY NICHOLSON

PROFILE

TEXTILE PROCESSING, SENIOR MANAGEMENT, AND SALES EXPERTISE

Gary Nicholson, a distinguished graduate of the Melbourne College of Textiles in Australia, brings over 45 years of unparalleled experience in the textile industry. His career spans leadership roles across multinational companies, overseeing operations in diverse areas including sales and marketing, manufacturing plants, quality control, application laboratories, and warehouse and distribution facilities across Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Gary’s core competencies include a comprehensive expertise in textile manufacturing, covering yarn, knitted and woven fabric processing, carpets, dyestuffs, and textile chemicals. A proficiency in establishing and optimizing manufacturing plants, including quality assurance processes, ISO quality systems, R&D laboratories, and product development departments and a proven ability to source textile machinery, dyes, chemicals, yarns, fabrics, and specialty finishes for operational efficiency.

For the last 25 years, Gary has been based in China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, extending his influence to Bangladesh, Korea, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Prior experience in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany complements his broad geographical expertise.

Gary has a unique cultural and linguistic acumen given his intimate knowledge of Asian cultures, customs, and thought processes, Gary bridges cultural gaps effectively. He is fluent in English, German, and Indonesian, enabling seamless communication in diverse business contexts.

Gary is recognized for his exceptional leadership and team-building skills, particularly in relocating and establishing manufacturing facilities. Over the last five years, he has partnered with leading textile mills and global brands to implement sustainable practices, achieving improvements in increasing efficiency and optimizing output in spinning and weaving mills, Right First-Time dyeing processes, reduction in water and steam consumption, which results in lower effluent output.

His commitment to sustainability has helped clients enhance efficiency while aligning with environmental and corporate responsibility goals.

Gary has cultivated robust strategic relationships with global accounts and key customers, making him an invaluable partner in driving sales, enhancing operations, and fostering innovation in the textile industry.

Gary Nicholson’s extensive expertise is a resource for textile companies seeking to streamline operations, implement sustainable manufacturing practices, expand market reach in Asia and beyond and optimize product development and quality assurance processes

With decades of hands-on experience, Gary delivers actionable insights and solutions to propel your business to new heights.

REBEKAH COMMANE

PROFILE

SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST & ASSISTANT MARKETING

Rebekah has completed a bachelor's fine arts, majoring in social media strategies and management at SCAD University in Savannah, Georgia USA.

Her role as a social media strategist and marketing assistant includes working alongside experienced textile marketers to provide fresh ideas and branding excellence to the team's plan. Then helping portray and communicate these campaigns to the public, whilst keeping branding in line.

Within the role, Bek works with various members of the organisation such as project manager, general manager, market analyst, marketing communications officer, fundraising officer and brand strategist.

SHASHI BHUSAN KUMAR SINHA

PROFILE

TECHNICAL, PROCESS CHEMICAL, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY

With over 35 years of distinguished experience, Shashi is a seasoned professional in the textile industry, having worked across diverse markets in India, Australia, China, and Russia. His expertise spans a wide range of technical and managerial competencies, making him a sought-after specialist in dyestuff, chemical, and polymer technologies.

Shashi’s core expertise in textile processing & quality assurance brings unparalleled expertise in wet processing, quality assurance, research and development, and merchandising.

His vast experience covers an extensive array of knit, woven across Premium fabrics like denim, silk, terry towels, and bedlinens and innovation in technical textiles, including but not limited to Polybenzimidazole (PBI) and Kevlar, Inherent fire-resistant fabrics, high-visibility thermal and flame protection textiles, breathable synthetic insulation materials with moisture management capabilities, specialized finishes such as water repellent, soil repellent, flame retardancy, and mothproofing.

Shashi has contributed significantly to the development of advanced textile materials including production of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using gel spinning processes, manufacturing of BOPP (bi-axial polypropylene) films and the application of plasma polymer techniques to create flame-retardant BOPP films and recycling polyester through mechanical and chemical processes to promote sustainability in textile production.

Adept at developing and implementing process standards, Shashi excels in presenting, negotiating, and executing process controls to meet stringent customer specifications. His technical knowledge ensures compliance with international quality benchmarks.

Among his professional achievements is his ISO and Accreditation Expertise. A formally registered member of IRCA (International Register of Certified Auditors) during his tenure with Marks & Spencer, Shashi conducted ISO audits of supplier facilities. His efforts contributed to several companies achieving ISO and M&S accreditation, particularly in Australia.

Shashi's clientele includes some of the world’s most demanding international retailers. His ability to adapt to cultural and technical challenges ensures optimal outcomes in diverse environments.

Experience in natural fibre and synthetic yarn manufacturing and creating innovative fabric finishes for unique customer specifications.

Shashi's career reflects a dedication to advancing textile technology while ensuring the highest standards of quality and sustainability. His wealth of experience, technical acumen, and global perspective position him as a valuable consultant for organizations seeking excellence in textiles.

BOB LOW

PROFILE

SENIOR CONSULTANT TECHNICAL TEXTILES

Bob Low has held Managing Director and Sales Director positions in the technical textile industry for over thirty years and as a consultant for the last three years. He is a textile graduate from Leeds University UK and an Associate of the Textile Institute.

His experience covers a wide range of technical textile applications both in the UK and internationally with specific experience in China and India.

Technical textiles incorporates a spectrum of activities and Bob has direct experience in polypropylene extrusion both yarn and non-woven spunbond, high performance spun and filament yarns, warping and woven fabrics for markets from air filtration, ballistic and knife protection, activated carbon to coated fabrics both pvc and pu.

Bob is also involved with a company producing activated carbon cloth from viscose. Applications include military clothing for NBC (Nuclear, biological, Chemical) suits, ostomy filters, polishing filters in air filter stacks and wound dressings.

Bob has managed start-up companies in Bangladesh, India and China and enjoys a hands-on approach with direct involvement with the local operators and seeing both the businesses and people develop.

Sales and marketing have always been a major focus for Bob and he enjoys mentoring in these roles and passing on his knowledge and practical experience.

TREVOR SOMERS

PROFILE

OPERATIONS OR MANUFACTURING MANAGER & MRP SYSTEM SPECIALIST

Trevor is a self-motivated, dynamic, and dependable professional with extensive experience in manufacturing and supporting IT systems, having strong planning, communication with decision making abilities to successfully direct concurrent projects.

He is forward focused with the skills to identify opportunities for system and process improvement, cost reduction while driving the concept that customer service is paramount, while priding himself on mentoring staff to encourage high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction to ensure a harmonious environment.

Trevor’s personal values include working smart while prepared to invest time bringing about appropriate routines within the team, honest and flexible, with the ability to thrive in high pressure environments.

THEO RODENBERG

PROFILE

SENIOR CONSULTANT GARMENT MAKING

Theo Rodenberg, Garment Manufacturing Consultant, has worked in the garment and textile industry for almost 50 years, and as a consultant for the past 18 years undertaking assignments for suppliers to Dutch and Belgium customers that are based in Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, Tunisia, Egypt, India, China and Bangladesh.

An Engineering qualification in Production and Business Management of Garment Making facilities underpin the vast experience in garment making and associated textile manufacturing.

Theo has managed production in two of the largest garments making operations in Netherlands before taking on the senior management roles including Levi in Belgium, and international companies based in Jakarta, Hong Kong and China before being recruited to C&A as Regional Manager – Garments for C&A Head Office Belgium.

Theo’s expertise was to access potential suppliers and then guide them through improved work methods resulting in productivity improvements, product enhancements, the use of new technology, fabrics as well as mechanical and electronic aids in all parts of the world.
Having reliable suppliers was Theo’s focus, which enhanced his employers and his consultancy assignments.

It is this experience and business acumen that Theo brings to any assignment offers the opportunity to garment and textile manufacturing organizations to fast track sustainable business improvement projects.

COLIN LUSTY

PROFILE

OPERATIONS OR MANUFACTURING MANAGER & MRP SYSTEM SPECIALIST

Chartered Colourist

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in all production and technical aspects of textile wet processing (Dyeing, Finishing & Printing) on a variety of fabrics across variety of fibres and specialised finishes, Colin Lusty has the expertise to bring about positive and rapid improvement. Manufacturing of textiles in Homewares, Apparel – casual and workwear and Furnishing fabrics are his passion.

With a mentoring style that enables knowledge transfer and upskilling those working with him, sustainable improvements will be owned by the local team.

Colin has considerable experience dealing with the Client’s Customer Representatives with Product Engineering, establishment of Product Specifications and Quality Assurance Standards.

A competent production and technical professional with more than 37 years of working experience in Northern Ireland, Australia, Asia (mainly in China), India and Pakistan. The last 13 years Colin has consulted to chemical suppliers to assist their customers optimise their processes using their respective products.

This broad experience and Colin’s mentoring skills enables him to achieve technical and productivity improvements, in a variety of cultural environments.

DANIEL O’CONNOR

PROFILE

ASSISTANT MARKETING & COMMERCIALIZATION CONSULTANT, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT & PROJECT COORDINATOR

Daniel offers marketing and branding insight with a double degree in international marketing and management. Daniel also majored in knowledge management and change strategies and now has over 6 years of working experience across a variety of industries.

As a Consultant, Daniel is experienced in identifying change drivers and freezers, evaluating and mentoring on knowledge sharing, international marketing/management and project facilitating.

Within his role as Project Manager, Daniel works closely with textile manufacturing personnel to understand their project needs and look for appropriate solutions. He works with various members of the organisation such as floor level, general manager, operations manager, market analyst, marketing communications officer, fundraising officer, brand strategist and social media marketing officer roles.

Daniel has a strong work ethic and values respect, honesty and integrity.