Bill Gerding Email & Phone Number

Plainfield Charter Township, Mi, Us

Plainfield Charter Township, Mi, Us

Muskegon, Michigan, Us

Muskegon, Michigan, Us

Automotive and Military Casting Manufacturing

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

• Led a team of four design engineers in a complete redesign of the dry air and material storage system for the Ultra Polymer 3D Printer, increasing the working time of certain filaments from hours to unlimited.• Managed the design and launch of two new Additive Manufacturing Products, a dry filament maintainer cabinet and a filament drying oven.• Coordinated all project communication with overseas partners and domestic suppliers for the development of the two new product lines.• Mentored and guided the design teams for the prototyping and prove-out stages for all three projects.• Drove project timelines and milestones for multiple simultaneous projects using Wrike.Additive Manufacturing, high temp 3D printers and accessories

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

• Provided project management for larger growth cell, producing Military Ground Vehicle drive system components for the Defense Industry.• Oversaw the implementation of capital equipment for production growth in the cell.• Developed Value Stream Map, including process family, current state and future state with plan for transition from job-shop approach to full production line objective.• Provided engineering support for production improvements, including tooling and process support.• Ran multiple Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) sessions for First Pass Yield improvements.• Developed production router templates for all subcomponents and assemblies within the growth cell for the MRP system.

Zeeland, Mi, Us

• Leading production cells from a business owner mindset through new product launches, major sales increases, and supply chain shortages.• Aligning and directing teams of multiple disciplined engineers, manual operators and technicians, mentoring engineers and interns for leadership growth. Aided in the development of a division specific onboarding program. • Revitalized and stabilized operational and financial performance of two of the largest growth area production cells using metrics such as, External PPM, Internal PPM, uptime, Mean Time Between Interventions/Failures, PPH, gross profit, cash from operations, and conversion of sales dollars.• Focusing on improvement projects such as redesigning a semi-automated laser part marking station for increased uptime and throughput, as well as designing and building a system for daily scrap part collection and analysis.• Fostering and cultivating a “joy at work” culture at the division level by creating creed statements, organizing team-building and goal setting events, and implementing an achievements reward system.• Identifying, promoting and executing stewardship activities for the division.

Livonia, Mi, Us

• Provided leadership, guidance and training to the systems engineering and test engineering group personnel.• Implemented engineering processes and practices through Kaizen events and value stream mapping.• Collaborated with program management and production and test labs for all systems engineering and test engineering efforts including task definition, MS Project schedule development and budget/resource tracking.

Livonia, Mi, Us

• Acted as technical lead for HondaJet Aircraft Program on their rudder, elevator and aileron trim tab actuators qualification testing • Wrote qualification test report, including test set-up, Failure Reporting and Corrective Action (FRACA), and data acquisition and analysis results.

Dallastown, Pa, Us

• Launched an internal development project for a new military shelter product line geared to reduce manufacture time, promote cross platform interchangeability and to create standardized offerings.• Participated as a key member on a select team of subject matter experts for electromagnetic shielding capabilities in mobile military shelters. • Redesigned an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle container coupling devise into a more compact, hydraulically actuated telescoping jack system for internal aircraft transportation.• Developed engineering performance specifications for specialized vendor component manufacturing and performed on-site vendor inspection. • Wrote technical volumes for several shelter bid proposals • Involved in the development of both reoccurring and non-reoccurring engineering cost models on numerous programs and quote responses.

• Executed business development activities such as proposal solicitations, attending conferences and tradeshows, and collaborating with local universities and specialized companies for partnership opportunities.• Assisted in the development of a proprietary diagnostic and prognostic software (HELPSys™), which included designing and constructing a mechanical component test bench and electronics lab.• Contracted with General Dynamics to incorporate HELPsysTM across several manned and unmanned ground vehicle platforms including LAV’s, Stryker variants, Abrams M1A1, Bradley and the NLOS Cannon.• Wrote multiple white papers for utilizing HELPSys™ in embedded instrumentation and embedded training applications for the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) Program.• Formulated cost proposals, Statements of Work, Performance Measurement Baselines, performed program launches, periodic project reviews, technical interchange meetings and product demonstrations.

• Led teams of engineers, designers, CAD technicians, and prototype manufacturing crews on multiple program launches. • Designed, developed and patented full line of Air transportable, 20 foot ISO Military Shelters, including expandable, self leveling and EMI shielded variants.• Participated in the Advanced Programs Team, which required developing Request for Quote replies and bid proposal responses.• Investigated and tested feasibility of use of composite panel construction in military and commercial shelter applications.

• Designed potential future products, such as Composite HMMV Shelters, including complete system development, production cost roll-up and resource allocation Gantt charting.• Developed testing outline for Mongoose Reload Container and created Alternative Mongoose Reload Container box design for customer Preliminary Design Review.• Acted as Lead Design Engineer for SICPS proposal response team.

• Implemented and directed the Product Design Engineering Division which included performing feasibility studies for non-traditional components, making engineering and sales calls, as well as marketing and exhibiting design engineering services at industry trade shows.• Performed daily engineering support of both repair and new production of linear drive components such as ballscrews, acme screws, and gears. • Headed the design and manufacture of four of the world’s largest one-piece ballscrew assemblies for telescopes in Hawaii and Chili observatories.• Redesigned and prototyped the traversing and elevating mechanism of the fifty-caliber machine-gun for the United States Department of Defense. • Designed and patented a Watercraft Processing Machine that utilized multi-axis robotic technology to improve the manufacturing processes of watercraft decks and hulls.

Bachelor Of Science, Product Design Engineering Technology

Associates In Applied Science, Technical Drafting And Tool Design