J. Michael Gerster

Experience

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  Amerex Corporation

  Aug 1981 - Nov 1982

  Management Trainee
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  Carl Esser KG

  Dec 1982 - Sept 1993

  VP of Sales & Engineering
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  Ceodeux/Rotarex

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1998

  Strategic Leader
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  WIKA Instrument, LP

  Feb 1998 - Dec 2014

  President

  At WIKA, I provided operational leadership establishing WIKA as a front running industry leader with an increasingly loyal and growing customer base. I established and developed strategy, processes, and systems with a focus on achieving profitability through Lean practices, accountability, and best-in-class customer service. Known for hiring the best and brightest employees with key skills across all levels I created engage cultures and kept close account of budgets and expenses. During my tenure, I reduced spending and optimized operations to control costs while allowing appropriate funding to support new initiatives and drive appropriate behaviors as demonstrated by my ability to improve on-time delivery performance to 95%, productivity by 35% and lowered lead-times for custom products 50%. Some notable achievements include: ✔ Engaged workforce towards lean manufacturing methodologies and strategic goals✔ Boosted company from #3 contender to industry leader in the USA✔ Increased sales 224% to $136M in 2013 and doubled EBIT to 15%✔ Reduced parts per million quality score to 900 ppm, condensed space 30%, and inventory 40%✔ Improved safety performance to better than OSHA published industry standards Show less

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  3D Instruments, LP

  Sept 2009 - Dec 2014

  President

  (Concurrent role) Handpicked by the CEO/Owner, I provided strategic leadership for a newly acquired business. I actively reviewed internal strategies, processes, and resources including implementing Lean Manufacturing principles. Leading the corporate restructuring, I oversaw change management and process integration driving substantial cost savings. Some notable achievements include: ✔ Increased productivity 25% and improved quality to 3,000 ppm ✔ Improved on-time delivery performance to 90%✔ Streamlined processes reducing lead-time from weeks to days✔ Reduced shop floor ‘footprint’ 50% after 18 months Show less

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  NoMu Lean Manufacturing Consulting, LLC

  Jan 2015 - Mar 2016

  Principal

  Transforming small and mid-sized manufacturers with Lean Manufacturing principles resulting in increased market participation, higher EBIT and ‘Can-Do’ attitude. Serving as a trusted advisor to Executive Leadership Team I objectively assessed organizations with a fresh perspective. Called up to transform small and mid-sized manufacturers with Lean principles, I helped companies increase market share and yield higher EBIT. I worked collaboratively with senior stakeholders and business leaders to define the corporate vision and develop sound business strategies and tactics. I applied my strong troubleshooting, critical thinking and business skills to achieve aggressive goals while directing an upbeat environment that inspired employee engagement and productivity. Show less

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  Vossloh Kiepe Inc.

  Apr 2016 - Oct 2016

  CEO

  Oversaw all US business operations for a global electrical propulsion system manufacturer for trolley buses and light/heavy rail vehicles based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Managed all US staff with full P&L responsibility and a focus on increasing value and quality while ensuring compliance. Expanded US operations by meeting future America Buy Act legislation and developing OEM relations with vehicle manufacturers and municipalities in North/South America.

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  SPP Inc. & SyncroFlo Inc.

  Nov 2016 - Jan 2018

  Executive President

  Provided senior level leadership overseeing all operations from front offices to manufacturing floor. Turned around profitability, processes, and efficiency through the implementation and management of Lean principles. Worked continually to improve including connecting technology and people resulting dynamic increases in productivity, customer satisfaction, and staff retention. ✔ Improved on-time delivery performance to +90% for pre-engineered and project-driven products ✔ Increased shop floor productivity +20% within first 12 months✔ Introduced industry-best lead-time of 10 days for pre-engineered water booster systems✔ Aligned supply-chain concepts with go-to-market strategies, right-sizing inventory levels ✔ Improved supplier on-time delivery performance to 90%✔ Implemented Key Performance Indicators for Sales, Engineering, Quality and Operations✔ Developed Skill Pay Matrix to incentivize skill versatility and balance the uneven production load Show less

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  NoMu Lean Manufacturing Consulting, LLC

  Feb 2018 - Dec 2022

  Principal

  Freelance consultant, transforming small and mid-sized manufacturers with Lean Manufacturing principles resulting in increased market participation, higher EBIT and ‘Can-Do’ attitude. Serving as a trusted adviser to Corporate Executive Leadership Team I objectively assessed organizations with a fresh perspective. Called up to transform small and mid-sized manufacturers with Lean principles, I helped companies increase market share and yield higher EBIT. I worked collaboratively with senior stakeholders and business leaders to define the corporate vision and develop sound business strategies and tactics. I applied my strong troubleshooting, critical thinking and business skills to achieve aggressive goals while directing an upbeat environment that inspired employee engagement and productivity. Show less

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  TBM Consulting Group

  Jun 2018 - Dec 2022

  Interim Executive Leader and Senior Management Consultant

  Leverage a 30+ year track record of driving quality, innovation and profitability while guiding the continuous improvement and operational processes of highly respected companies. I first worked with TBM as a client executive and now step-in as an interim executive and consultant to help clients accelerate performance and drive leadership capabilities.• Served at an air filtration solutions company as an interim General Manager to provide executive leadership, identify and oversee improvements in production, supply chain and purchasing while coaching another general manager at a sister facility. Created roadmap for SIOP expectations, developed detailed improvement opportunities in warehousing and shipping, interviewed and on-boarded new general manager.• Served at a provider of infrastructure-related products and solutions as a Regional Director of Continuous Improvement to create a best-practice initiative to align cost/quality/critical manufacturing processes across all plants. Challenged, coached and guided business process owners to embrace continuous improvement principles.• Set up ‘Best Practice Initiative’ to align cost/quality critical manufacturing processes across all plants. Implemented improvements to increase throughput, productivity and quality of business processes.• Aligned timely completion of business processes with expectations of customers & manufacturing plants. Defined ‘Fixed Lead-Times’ concept for business processes and manufacturing processes.• Set up SQDC boards and KPIs for business processes, facilitated monthly report out for all plants to Steering Committee Team. Facilitated monthly Strategy Review meetings with all plant managers & C/I personnel and corporate leadership Show less

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  HIRO Innovation + Projekt Design GmbH & Co. KG

  Dec 2022 - Jun 2023

  USA Representative

  We draw on a wide international network of established suppliers, whether we support in the design phases of electronic projects through Design-to-Cost activities or support the purchasing departments of our clients in the acquisition of components. In addition, we have direct contractual distribution agreements with many global manufacturers and hence secure our customers' supply-chains.

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  NoMu Lean Manufacturing Consulting, LLC.

  Jul 2023 - now

  Principal Consultant

  Multi-Lingual, Manufacturing Consultant & Coach with a 30+ year track record of driving quality, innovation and profitability while guiding the processes of highly respected global companies. Specializes in organizational transformation by leveraging the Toyota Production System/Lean Methodology. Successfully establishes and positions manufacturing organizations for growth and scalability. Builds strong, positive relationships with executive leadership teams. Trusted partner to C-level leadership in defining and activating sophisticated business plans that drive measurable results. Effectively deploys Kaizen methodology as primary tool to drive cultural change, customer satisfaction and increase profits. Aids companies in gaining and sustaining competitive advantages. Show less