Russ Winkelman, Sunetric’s supply chain director, brings a decade of experience in purchasing and logistics to the company. As the supply chain director, Russ manages and oversees overall supply chain operations, including purchasing, inventory of materials, and logistics. Russ describes his job as “try[ing] to reduce the total cost of procuring all goods and services for the company.” He says that with a lower cost of materials, Sunetric can pass the savings on to the customer and gain a competitive price advantage.
According to Russ, price is just one component of the purchasing decision. As supply chain director he also has to evaluate the quality and reliability of each supplier, including lead times, payment terms, warranties, transaction costs, transportation costs, and disposal costs. With all of these things to balance, managing the supply chain is as much an art as it is a science. Add to this already-complex process Hawaii’s geographic location, and the difficulties and costs of transportation become even more pronounced. Because of the rising demand of solar products, there are often shortages of materials to contend with, and so Russ is constantly occupied with sales forecasts and keeping a steady supply of solar materials flowing into Hawaii and to our customers.
Originally from Odessa, Texas, Russ attended Arizona State University in Tempe and graduated with a degree in Supply Chain Management. Russ came to Hawaii with his wife and began working at Sunetric in January, 2010. While he is new to solar power, he has always been drawn to more technical companies and the challenges of procuring non-traditional materials. Prior to Sunetric, Russ worked in the aerospace industry with a company that manufactures turbine engine blades for military and commercial applications, and at Motorola’s semiconductor division in Phoenix, Arizona.
Russ has some strong personal feelings when it comes to solar power. “I often see comparisons of wind, solar, and nuclear energy in terms of price per watt compared to oil or coal, but for me the true economic impact of energy has to include the environmental cost. In this context, solar is superior to all other types of energy.”
Idealism has been complemented by practicality. Russ also notes that consumer interest seems to have shifted beyond the abstract concept of “clean energy is good for the planet” and has moved into the more practical issue of reducing a residential electric bill—a real and tangible issue that Sunetric can address today.
Russ works tirelessly to make Sunetric’s solar installations affordable and efficient, and uses his logistical skills to open up Hawaii to the world of solar power. When asked what sets Sunetric apart from other solar companies, Russ says simply, “pride.” He feels that there is a true sense of pride at Sunetric in every aspect of the business—from the product and the installation to the larger environmental benefits of solar. It seems clear that Russ Winkelman is living that philosophy each and every day.
