About JAL
A consultancy built on real-world experience.
Deep operational expertise, honestly applied — to help SMBs build supply chains that actually work.
Our Story
Why JAL was founded
“To help small and medium-sized businesses build supply chains that are leaner, smarter, and more cost-efficient — through practical expertise, honest advice, and genuine partnership.”
JAL Supply Chain Consulting was founded by Michael Bates, a supply chain and procurement professional with deep experience across retail, manufacturing, engineering, and food service.
After years working in and around supply chain operations, Michael saw a consistent pattern: growing SMBs were struggling with the same operational challenges that large enterprises had long since solved — but without access to the expertise to address them.
JAL was built to close that gap. To bring enterprise-calibre supply chain thinking to businesses that are serious about getting their operations right — without the enterprise price tag.
How We Work
Our core values
Integrity
We give honest advice — even when it's not what you expect to hear. Our clients trust us because we tell them what they need to know, not just what they want to hear.
Practicality
We focus on solutions that work in the real world. Implementation and adoption matter as much as strategy — so we stay close to the work until the outcome is delivered.
Partnership
We work alongside your team, not above them. Our goal is to build capability within your business — so you don't need to rely on consultants indefinitely.
Meet the Founder
Michael Bates
Founder & Principal Consultant
Operations and Supply Chain Manager with deep industry experience across procurement, logistics, and inventory management. Michael has worked with businesses across retail, manufacturing, engineering, civil construction, and food service.
Michael founded JAL to give growing SMBs access to the same calibre of supply chain expertise that enterprise businesses rely on — delivered with the flexibility and personal attention that only a specialist firm can offer.
He is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach: getting into the detail quickly, identifying what matters, and working alongside teams to implement changes that stick.
Let's Work Together
Tell us about your supply chain challenges. We'll listen carefully and give you an honest view of how we can help.
Get in Touch