Paul Adams Email and Phone Number

Transformed a family run business into an organization setup to grow with systems and processes using a Lean / Six Sigma framework.• Improved Operational Excellence with an increase in production capacity of 350% and reduced Labor Cost by over 200% through process improvement and cost reductions by implementing a Lean Culture and Techniques including; 5S, Visual Management, Standard Work, Kaizen, etc. • Managed P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow through difficult times with the Pandemic hitting a couple months after purchasing the business including major customers declaring bankruptcy and defaulting on significant debt to the company.• Pivoted the business to new product lines as over 80% of the revenues historically came from Retail which was dramatically impacted by the Pandemic.• Made facility OSHA compliant including the creation of a Safety Committee.

Product Development - Created and implemented an end-user focused new product process utilizing lean techniques to develop hundreds of new consumer and industrial products.• Drove 50% of sales growth from new products launched in 2017 and 2018.• Increased focus on customer values by utilizing observation, brainstorming/ ideation, and learning cycles, that resulted in winning International, U.S. and European innovation awards.• Spearheading lean transformation and creating a learning environment.o Changed culture from reactionary to one of thoughtful, up-front planning. Implemented lean/agile techniques that resulted in significantly accelerating the time to market, increased value-added time, improved communication, and accountability. o Generated urgency and focus on low fidelity prototypes to learn quickly and fail fast.• Collaborated with electronics and software companies to develop next generation products. • Developed innovative professional cleaning tools for Fortune 500 Companies.Strategy - Crafted and implemented comprehensive R&D strategic plans including a technology roadmap based on current trends, end-user needs, and company strategy. Currently investigating the utilization of Artificial Intelligence, “Big Data” and Open Innovation to fill our product pipeline, better understand the end user and validate product ideas.Leadership - Hired exceptional engineering, industrial design, and quality talent globally with very low turnover. Created highly motivational environment by providing direction, removing barriers, incentives, as well as providing constructive feedback in open relationships. Intellectual Property (IP) - Developed and executed IP strategy and managed patent portfolios.Quality - Developed a new vision and strategy for the organization, changing the emphasis from product quality to an overall quality system. Regulatory Compliance - Managing all aspects of Global Regulatory Compliance.

Responsible for strategy, process, and development of new, existing, and custom electrical products. Became a leader in the organization by setting clear expectations, quickly learning the industry and standards, creating collaboration with cross-functional teams, leading by example, and implementing an employee recognition program. • Developed new products in wire management, poke-thru devices, floor boxes, etc., with a focus on customer value by improving the ease of assembly and time to install.• Automated the design of custom products to improve profitability and reduce engineering labor. • Managed the Wiremold patent portfolio and product liability claims. • Created a successful idea campaign and worked with outside consultants on ethnographic research to find unarticulated needs of our end-users. • Ran a Kaizen event to significantly improve the new product development process.

Lighter R&D - Managed all aspects of lighter product development of new and existing products including planning, developing specifications, consumer and child testing. Managed cross-functional global teams to develop user-friendly child-resistant utility and pocket lighters from concept to production.Fuel Cell R&D - Enabled the industry of micro-fuel cells by driving the creation of IEC and UL standards and regulatory processes. Spoke at the United Nations in Switzerland to educate transportation experts. Internally managed all technical aspects of a new business opportunity by developing micro fuel cell cartridges for multiple technologies. Created and managed the patent portfolio, strategized with management and team to select the best technologies, worked with partners and negotiated joint development agreements. Lighter Manufacturing - Directed BIC’s high-speed automated facility that was producing over 1 million pocket lighters per day with 120 employees. Oversaw all aspects of the lighter manufacturing plant, including the planning, budgeting, and goal setting with the following results:• Reduced lighter cost by over 20%, saving the company in excess of $8 million on a yearly basis.• Improved the product quality and reduced consumer returns.• Reduced labor by over 40% while increasing production output.Outsourcing - Successfully implemented and managed the joint development and production of over 12 million utility lighters per year in China, lowering cost by almost 50% while improving the quality. Legal Support - Expert and fact witness in depositions and trials including testifying in trials and depositions in product liability and patent infringement litigation cases. Managed BIC’s global lighter & fuel cell patent portfolio to create patent applications. Quality - Managed Quality Control groups and improved product quality by transferring expertise from R&D into the quality groups and refining their decision-making capabilities.