Rick Hatlen Email & Phone Number

Greater Milwaukee Area

Responsible for Program Management, New Product Development Methodology, Resource Planning, and Continuous Improvement for the Product Development Organization.

Selected AccomplishmentsJWM (Modern Equipment Company) Heated Launder Design● Resolved heating system interface failures and reduced energy consumption● Redesigned mechanical systems to reduce cost and improve functionalityJWM (Modern Equipment Company) Design Knowledge Transfer● Developed ladle and aluminum melter design guides to transfer knowledge● Provided design training and support on new projectsZF P7300, PK7500 ● Reduction in the… Show more Selected AccomplishmentsJWM (Modern Equipment Company) Heated Launder Design● Resolved heating system interface failures and reduced energy consumption● Redesigned mechanical systems to reduce cost and improve functionalityJWM (Modern Equipment Company) Design Knowledge Transfer● Developed ladle and aluminum melter design guides to transfer knowledge● Provided design training and support on new projectsZF P7300, PK7500 ● Reduction in the remanufacturing business for mixer drives in North America. ● Completed a Kaizen event and used activity mapping to identify process improvements.● 50% reduction in labor, new pricing in-line with the market and an increase in remanufacturing market share. ZF Warranty Processing and Workshop Planning● Utilized Lean tools to reduce warranty processing time by over 75%.● Developed an Access database to reduced overall remanufacturing program administration by 50%.Poclain Hydraulics ML06/ MLE06● Tandem transmission application issue was the speed match when shifting between low and high speed.● Identified the source of variation within the complex design and manufacturing processes. ● Reduced shift speed from 3,000 down to 400 milliseconds in 4 months using 6-Sigma and Taguchi methods. Case MX Magnum ● Offer a best-in-class high hp fixed frame tractor with the tightest turning radius in the industry. ● Innovative driven front axle design awarded a US Patent.● Front drive axle was the industry’s first to offer factory installed dual wheels. The dramatic increase in component loading required research to arrive at a design that could provide the reliability the customer demanded.Jacobsen ST5111● 51 hp large area mower equipped with Jacobsen’s first factory installed cab. ● Deployed Brüel & Kjær 2032 and sound mapping to identify opportunities to reduce sound levels.● Final result was a reduction of 15 dBA and a product that could be exported. Show less

Port Washington, Wi

Management Team, Responsible for Project Management, Mechanical, and Electrical Design● Developed the company intranet site to enable better knowledge reuse.● Developed ladle and aluminum melter design guides to transfer knowledge● Established cost reduction tracking.● Defined various business processes. ● Product transfer of volume and custom pressure vessel product into current facility.● Developed visual processes for the production of ASME Pressure Vessels.

Responsible for Product Application and Systems Engineers and part of the Technology Development Organization Leadership Team as well as the Global Sensors Leadership Team.• Initiated and trained Lean Product Development improving product development results. • Facilitated knowledge capture and reuse through a monthly lunch and learn program.• Developed tools to improve resource planning that reduced scatter waste.• Co-lead Kaizen events to improve business opportunity flow… Show more Responsible for Product Application and Systems Engineers and part of the Technology Development Organization Leadership Team as well as the Global Sensors Leadership Team.• Initiated and trained Lean Product Development improving product development results. • Facilitated knowledge capture and reuse through a monthly lunch and learn program.• Developed tools to improve resource planning that reduced scatter waste.• Co-lead Kaizen events to improve business opportunity flow that improved customer response.• Developed various SharePoint tools to improve business processes.• Patent Pending: Method to Ensure Sensor Contact Without Risk of Vacuum or Pressure Leak -----Ted Ahrens, Account Manager, Watlow: “Rick has so many skills and characteristics… he is very technically savvy and has an excellent understanding of product development handling needs from inception to launch. From a leadership standpoint, he can handle a diverse workforce pushing a team to perform highly even when those in the team doubt the goals are even possible. And from a business standpoint, Rick understands what it takes to delight a customer while still maintaining a profitable business...”-----Mark Everly, Director Product Development, Watlow: “Rick’s contributions include bringing an increased awareness … to questions related to design manufacturability and process capability. He hosted the first Lean Product Development training … and put focus on knowledge capture and reuse.” Show less

Responsible for Account Management, Product Support, and Customer Service.• Developed an Account Management Knowledge Assessment and Career Roadmap.• Developed a value based pricing model based on VoC (Voice of Customer) data. • Trained various Lean tools and deployed those tools within administrative functions.

Responsible for North American Off-Road Aftermarket profit and loss for approximately $21 million in sales of parts and remanufactured axles, transmissions, and gear boxes. Technical support and warranty administration for North America.• Utilized Lean tools to reduce warranty processing time by over 75%.• Streamlined remanufacturing processes and reduced labor by up to 50%.• Developed a database to reduced overall remanufacturing program administration by 50%.• Grew… Show more Responsible for North American Off-Road Aftermarket profit and loss for approximately $21 million in sales of parts and remanufactured axles, transmissions, and gear boxes. Technical support and warranty administration for North America.• Utilized Lean tools to reduce warranty processing time by over 75%.• Streamlined remanufacturing processes and reduced labor by up to 50%.• Developed a database to reduced overall remanufacturing program administration by 50%.• Grew remanufacturing sales approximately 20% by recapturing past business and adding new.-----Tim Corcoran, Managing Director, ZF Services LLC: “Rick is a top flight performer. He brings the detail of an engineer with the interpersonal skills of a sales person to every task. Rick is a can do, high integrity, leader that achieves the difficult stretch goals. Rick is good with all levels of the organization. Customers appreciate Rick's sincere, detailed approach leading to improved customer relations.” Show less

Responsible for Design Engineering, Project Management, Application Engineering, and OEM Sales in North America during various periods. • Member of Senior Management Team and International Executive Committee. • Served on the Industry Advisory Board Member for National Science Foundation, Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. • Reduced transmission shift speed from 3,000 to 400 milliseconds in 4 months using 6-Sigma and Taguchi methods.• Resolved… Show more Responsible for Design Engineering, Project Management, Application Engineering, and OEM Sales in North America during various periods. • Member of Senior Management Team and International Executive Committee. • Served on the Industry Advisory Board Member for National Science Foundation, Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. • Reduced transmission shift speed from 3,000 to 400 milliseconds in 4 months using 6-Sigma and Taguchi methods.• Resolved multiple design and manufacturing issues on a key product line in 6 months.• Led aftermarket team to achieve 5% annual growth on $5 million annual sales.• Led OEM sales team to achieve 10% annual growth on $55 million annual sales.-----Dale Madsen, Sourcing Manager, Poclain Hydraulics: “Under Rick’s leadership as sales manager we improved relationships with key customers, improved margins and won a new large OEM account resulting in a significant increase in revenue. As engineering manager he implemented a project management function at our subsidiary... This resulted in projects being completed on time and on budget. A common denominator as manager in these departments is his willingness to spend the time necessary to work with his employees to develop their talents to meet the company’s objectives.” Show less

Responsible for sales and support of OEM customers including project coordination.• Captured over 80% of the North American mixer drive business.• Led a multinational product development team resulting in ZF entering a new market segment.

Cross-functional Team Leader for high horsepower fixed frame tractors. Responsible for design, cost, delivery, resource management, and problem resolution for steering axle systems (both driven and non-driven), engine enclosures, and front hitch / PTO.• Awarded patent: Engine Speed Control Apparatus And Method (6,192,860) February 27, 2001.• Awarded patent: Mechanical Front Wheel Drive Axle For Improved Steering (6,056,081) May 2, 2000.• Responsible for North American’s first… Show more Cross-functional Team Leader for high horsepower fixed frame tractors. Responsible for design, cost, delivery, resource management, and problem resolution for steering axle systems (both driven and non-driven), engine enclosures, and front hitch / PTO.• Awarded patent: Engine Speed Control Apparatus And Method (6,192,860) February 27, 2001.• Awarded patent: Mechanical Front Wheel Drive Axle For Improved Steering (6,056,081) May 2, 2000.• Responsible for North American’s first fixed frame tractor to offer factory installed front dual wheels.• Received The Chairman’s Award, presented to the MX Magnum Program Development Team. • Nominated for The Chairman’s Award for cost reductions that resulted in savings of 15% per unit. Show less

New product design and development. Coordinated the construction and testing of prototypes and pilot machines. Responsible for sound and vibration testing and analysis.• Awarded patent: Engine Speed Control System And Method (5,417,193) May 23, 1995.• Awarded patent: Turf Aerator (5,207,278) May 4, 1993.• Developed the acoustical package for Jacobsen's first factory installed cab, which decreased the sound pressure level by 15 dBA.

Master'S Degree

Bachelor'S Degree