Michael Eckardt Email & Phone Number

Stratford, On, Canada

Increased shareholder's equity value significantly in 24 months.

Waterloo, On

• Significantly reduced the operational risk by restructuring the Finance Department through staff empowerment, and task redistribution and cross-training, visual time management.• Significantly improved spreadsheet mechanics to automate the spreadsheet-based financial reporting system.• Removed communications barriers between departments by enhancing monthly reporting.• Created Standard Work Instructions for spreadsheet based tasks.• Organized and scripted Annual General Meeting.

Cambridge, Ontario

Reporting to the Managing Director of the German parent, Bock 1 GmbH, was responsible for all financial, Human Resources, purchasing, IT and administrative functions. • Created or improved management and financial reporting structures. Enhanced ISO Management reports.• Improved corporate structure through proper legal resolutions and intra-company security agreement.• Redeveloped legal agreements between customers, parent and local manufacturing for risk, coverage and reasonability.• Hired HR Manager and updated Employee Handbook to current legal requirements.• Connected the organization to the LEAN community and other local resources.

• Won the "2015 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD" presented by the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.• Developed and supported business excellence strategies in all areas, especially in innovation & product development, sales & marketing, manufacturing, IT and HR. • Positioned the company for a 2014 private equity transaction by exceeding budgets between 3 and 10%. Managed due diligence prior, during, and after the transaction. Guided M&A strategy including acquisition process of a US company.• Grew Gear business by 250% from 2009 to 2015 by focusing on LEAN, quality, employee satisfaction. • Achieved 6 and 3 years of injury-free production in two manufacturing facilities by constant focus on H&S. • Won the “2013 INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD” (Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce).• Empowered, coached, and led staff to excel in their functional areas, resulting in an above average equity valuation in 2014.

New Hamburg, On

• Strategically guided the corporation through the 2009/2010 recession with on-going profitability (15% EBITDA margin!) and positive cash flow throughout. • Positioned company to quickly maximize corporate growth (+20%) during the post-recessionary recovery period by maintaining workforce and R&D portfolio. • Engaged with Blue Ocean Strategy to reach new untapped markets.• Managed due diligence for 2005 private equity transaction and post-transaction requirements.• Introduced Lean Manufacturing and made significant improvements in lead-times, working capital and non-value added labour. ODG’s Gear Division is the “poster child” of LEAN, winning awards from “Association of Manufacturing Excellence” (AME), EMC, and CME, and was an accredited tour site and presenter on the 2013 AME tour. • Developed “Best of Breed” customer service platform in the industrial equipment market (per Mark Hollister, T3 Consultants, FL, USA).• Integrated independent business applications into a single ERP System. • Led green-field industrial plant development various manufacturing plant additions, renovations, and other infrastructure programs.• Developed excess real estate into commercial shopping plaza and managed the property in all aspects.

Kitchener-Waterloo, On

• Conducted audits and reviews for a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises, ranging from "shoe-box" accounting to audits of international companies, including temporary US postings.• Prepared personal tax returns.

Mba

Chartered Accountant Designation

Corporate Finance

Blue Ocean Canada - Practitioner'S Course

Bsc(Agr), Engineering, Economics

Member Since 2013

http://www.tec-canada.com