Patrick Baert Email & Phone Number

Elkhart Indiana

Welch is a dynamic regional corrugated packaging manufacturerBusiness Development and Acquisitions• Achieved over 200% revenue growth ($95.0 million) over 9 years, during difficult economic periods, by directing due diligence analysis, financing, and integration of 14 acquisitions, business startups, and 2 divestitures.• Opened industry and product profitability opportunities by strategically reorganizing $25 million folding carton and plastics division into separate entities.Operational Effectiveness• Reduced material cost 5% plus shared 50% of profits as strategic member of a joint venture with the primary commodity supplier:o Secured bank financing, economic development incentives and 475,000 square foot real estate investment purchase.• Negotiated over $2.0 million in state and local economic development tax abatements, grants, training programs and service incentives.• Eliminated sales tax expense, reduced fuel costs with national freight service partnership discount, and eliminated $500,000 of third party freight cost by consolidate services:o Researched, implemented, and managed For-Hire Freight/Logistics Services division. • Reduced costs over 16% by establishing purchasing partnerships with key suppliers in commodities, transportation, energy, and consulting/administrative services.• Reduced staff 50% by implementing improved daily processes and automated solutions and consolidating accounting department.Treasury Management• Asserted strong treasury management to reduce bad debt expense over $400,000 annually and Days Sales Outstanding 9% (3 days) by implementing analysis and communication programs for decentralized plant operations. • Provided division management, improved analysis, and comparative reporting while reducing audit and tax cost. • Designed and implemented financial reporting package including business consolidation that focused on comparison and trends, balance sheet turns, key metrics and variable / fixed cost.

Plymouth Indiana

Manufacturer of wireless communication equipment with Bain Capital as the primary owner of this highly engineered tower and distribution company. • Coordinated planning, due diligence and disclosure requirements for sale of $80 million business in 2001.• Served as interim General Manager during management reorganization.• Supported Bain Capital and management’s growth objectives by implementing strategic planning, financial reporting, and annual budget.• Significantly reduced independent audit cost and improve working capital by establishing internal process controls and regular trial balance review.• Improved collections and reduced days sales outstanding 30% ($6.0 Million of added free cash flow) by designing and implementing automated cash matching program. • Reduced lead times that maintained “best in industry” delivery performance during 49% revenue growth period by establishing stocking programs and long term agreements with key suppliers.

Farmington Hills, Mi And Buchanan, Mi

Wheel End Brake Division - Manufacturer of automotive braking systems in various locations in the United States for the $5.0 Billlion Division and the Industrial Automation Division located in Buchanan MI• Managed financial and planning for $375 Million automotive manufacturer of brake components. • Reorganized $1.2 billion United States brake operations as key member of confidential team providing executive management with strategic plan. • Implemented financial reporting, business metrics, and historical comparisons for division management that complied with German commercial code. • Grew distribution market segment that improved delivery performance lead times 65% by implementing automated forecast and scheduling system.• Coordinated implementation of automatic billing and freight rating system.• Supported ISO procedures and work instructions implementation.

Stamford, Ct, Mishawaka, In And Sarasota, Fl

• Coordinated Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization disclosure statement.• Planned and negotiated $54 million debt financing for initial startup of major product line expansion.• Facilitated merger of four plastics divisions into $130 million manufacturing subsidiary, centralizing accounting and information systems departments while improving financial reporting, implementing new information systems network, and providing business operations reporting.

Niles, Mi

• Key member of leveraged buyout management team.• Enhanced management’s product cost and margin understanding by establishing operational reporting for highly engineered product lines.

Education record

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Accounting