Partner with engineers, designers, and industry experts to steer the development of sophisticated and customized machinery, allowing clients to achieve growth and manufacturing goals. Interface extensively with management teams, vendors, and clients to align product expectations with cost efficiency and design targets.♦Consolidated operations by closing two 60K-square-foot facilities in Canada and China, and relocating all operations as well as the corporate headquarters to Akron, Ohio.♦Played an instrumental role in preparing the company for a merger with the Akron-based Pettibone company.♦Successfully established a manufacturing facility in Akron for extrusion and tire building equipment.♦Leveraged extensive experience in manufacturing industry to successfully grow sales and profits.

Maintained P&L responsibility; oversaw more than $100 million in annual capital spending and ensured optimal profitability for company operations in Asia. Direct reports included GM of Cooper Kenda Tire (CKT), GM of Cooper Chengshan Tire (CCT), CFO of Asia, Asian Director of Sales and Marketing, Asian Director of Purchasing and Logistics, Asian Director of IT, Asian Director of HR, and Asian Director of Engineering.♦Served as General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Directors of (CCT), and sat on the Board of Directors for CKT.♦Set up a sales and marketing company (Cooper Asia Pacific Trading Company) to launch the Cooper brand throughout China; responsible for establishing sales and distribution networks throughout the country.

Led an initiative to set up operations in China in 2004, thereby establishing the company’s first presence in Asia. Founded a representative office and obtained a license to conduct business in China. Approved all employment contracts for company operations in Asia.♦Visited multiple sites throughout the country and selected Kunshan -- based on local government incentives and proximity to the Shanghai labor market -- as the site for a manufacturing facility and 50/50 joint venture with Kenda, a Taiwanese tire company. ♦Selected to head up the establishment and construction of a $200 million, 1.7 million square foot tire manufacturing operation in Kunshan, China, as part of the company’s expansion of business operations into Asia. Oversee Plant Manager responsible for operations expected to produce 12 million tires annually.♦Led a team of 5 experts in negotiating the acquisition of 51% stake in Chengshan Tire, China’s third-largest tire manufacturer, and 25% of the company’s steel cord business, thereby establishing a tire manufacturing partnership (Cooper Chengshan Tire (CCT)) serving the Asian and U.S. markets. ♦Received President’s award for role in managing the successful Chengshan Tire acquisition; the newly formed company is the company’s largest manufacturing plant, employing 5,000+ staff in a 2.9 million square foot facility in northern China.

Directed the engineering and maintenance departments of five tire manufacturing facilities, one tube plant and two tread rubber manufacturing plants. Directly managed 14, and indirectly oversaw 50 staff. Managed an equipment manufacturing workshop. Responsible for all facilities, equipment and maintenance for the entire corporation, including the Engineering Products and Tire divisions. Developed and allocated capital spending budget of $100 million. Worked directly with equipment suppliers on specifying equipment and negotiating final pricing conditions. Designed and oversaw the construction of new facilities and facility expansions. Responsible for equipment development group of 20 design engineers and an assembly group of 60 people.♦Responsible for all environmental compliance regulations in the corporation; oversaw a staff of one environmental manager and 4 environmental engineers.♦Headed a team of ten people to visit company plant in Melksham, England in evaluating the facility, equipment, technical resources and product line.♦Earned distinction by receiving the President’s Award from the CEO for resolving manufacturing and quality issues in the Winnsboro, South Carolina plant supplying original equipment; helped re-establish on-time delivery without the costly expense of air freighting parts. ♦Traveled regularly to evaluate emerging growth opportunities in Europe, South Africa and Asia, including assessments of local market conditions, labor force, technical expertise, living conditions, governmental/community support and potential for improvement in plant operations.