Mark Richardson

About Mark Richardson

Dedicated plant management and continuous improvement (CI) leader with experience in production scheduling, plant maintenance, plant productivity, quality control, and safety. Lead floor supervisors in creating quality-focused facility, embracing corporate and business unit initiatives that include Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, SMED, Kanban, error proofing, and 5S management paradigms. Successes include preserving $32 million in revenue while exceeding Department of Energy (DoE) efficiency requirements, forging operational practices that result in 5X EDITDA multiplier from business sale, and successful negotiation of multi-year/multimillion-dollar labor agreements. Act as strategic partner with business leaders in development of manufacturing business strategy; effectively link supply chain objectives to business strategy. Proficient in navigating and ensuring compliance with EPA, DOE, OSHA, ASME, UL, CSA regulations. Director of Operations | Weil-McLain Technologies * Increased market share from 44% to 51%(700 bps) by applying theory of constraints to long lead time components, generating $6 million in sales growth.* Increased YOY sales by $1.1 million by doubling throughput of highest volume product family. General Manager | SunCoke Energy * Delivered on 10-year contract renewal with sole customer by rebuilding trust, re-commissioning site, and executing $100 million capital refurbishment project.* Forged strong, high-trust relationships with production employees, resulting in ratification of competitive 5-year/$70 million labor agreement with United Steel Workers (USW) in May 2022. Included language that would allow competitive wage increases without re-negotiation. Manufacturing Manager | Climax Manufacturing * Acquired $2 million in new business by leading plant through preparation for American Institute of Baking (AIB) good manufacturing principles (GMP) audit. Received “superior” rating on first audit.* Decreased labor variance through rollout of Lean techniques. Reduced total case incident rate (TCIR) 75%, driving compensation costs down by Developed and implemented operational practices that resulted in business sale at 5X EDITDA multiplier and successful competitor acquisition. Plant Manager | Graphic Packaging * Reduced operating costs through design and commissioning of dedicated work cell for highest volume product, in addition to Kanban system development for high sku products.

Experience

1. Director of Manufacturing

   Weil-McLain

   Jun 2015 — Present · Michigan City, IN, US

   Direct P&L, growth strategy, Title V compliance, safety performance, customer service, and production Gray Iron Foundry sq. ft. and 175 employees), representing $90 million commercial segment of hydronic heating business producing ASME certified pressure vessels. Lead 9 direct reports while managing $47 million annual operating budget and $3 million capital budget. Oversee supply chain of raw materials, components, energy, and repair and maintenance. Train and develop staff to improve bench strength.* Maintained 70% output during 50% reduction in headcount during most competitive labor market in decades through implementation of cross-training and job rationalization initiatives, while establishing “leading from the front” posture.* Delivered increases of 16% in shipment volume (a record) and 9% in production.* Supported launch of 2 new products that preserved $32 million in revenue while exceeding Department of Energy (DoE) efficiency requirements.* Avoided in costs by spearheading development of induction furnace refractory temperature monitoring system, extending asset useful life.* Created unique nested contractor model in response to craft labor shortage during pandemic, reducing R&M by annually.* Sponsored 2 4DX teams, producing in plant cost savings in only 1 year.* Increased productivity 7% via development of new employee onboarding training program, weekly department Kaizen reviews of scrap by cause, and display of visual work instructions at key work stations.* Saved annually by commissioning 5 axis CNC horizontal machining center. Reduced operating costs and skilled labor dependence.* Developed Safety Awareness Engagement Program credited with slashing TCIR from 15 to 1.7 (89%) over 5-year period; reduced Workers’ Compensation costs by and built trust and equity with unionized workforce. Led union and non-union employees in developing practical, proactive, accountable safety culture.

Education

• Wright State University

  MBA, Management, Creativity & Innovation

• Ohio University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Organizational Communication, Chemistry

• Ohio University

  Bachelor's degree, Organizational Communication