Rick Elder Email & Phone Number

Hanover Pa 17331

April of 2014 ESAB Hanover's stainless line was moved to South Korea. I now oversee the shift manufacturing production operations of the Stick Electrode department and Sub Arc flux department in Hanover on second shift. The move has proved to be an opportunity to expand my knowledge in the manufacturing of all welding consumables used for different applications throughout the world.

September of 2006 I was promoted to Flux Cored Wire Stainless Department Manager with the responsibility of improving the overall output of that area of business. This required the ability to educate myself on how to effectively operate several machines I had no previous experience with so that I could maintain efficient operations. I was also given the lead role in all aspects our Flux Plant operation during that time period. The goal was to reach pre- strike production levels with a considerably smaller and far less experienced workforce since the company endured a strike much of 2006. We were able to recover and as the year progressed and I was selected to be one of seven lean manufacturing champions at the Hanover facility in 2007. In 2007 I began to successfully implement the lean manufacturing concept in the stainless department and our overall production and sales were the highest ever in the Stainless flux Cord Wire Department at the Hanover plant.

I was primarily responsible for safety performance goals: material inventory, scheduling, and material flow through out the operations. I ensured that proper safety equipment and work rules were maintained in the factory. I arranged shift employee coverage requirements including overtime. I have maintained the required time, attendance, scrap, rework, and production data for the plant. I have ensured that housekeeping and 5-S principles were practiced in the work place. I have experience with lean manufacturing, constraint management, kaizen, and 5-S principles.

Responsibilities required training on four paper machines to assist crew in daily operations to produce paper to meet customer requirements. Duties included assisting the crew in threading the machines during start-ups and breakdowns. I was also responsible for trimming rolls of paper to finished diameters identifying, labeling, and computer entry on all finished products.

I was responsible for the day-to-day process operations and supervision of fifty-one union hourly employees. I have effectively scheduled material equipment and manpower to fulfill production requirements. Identified problems and proposed solutions to upper management. Coordinated maintenance functions. Also, worked closely with Quality Control and Shipping in the disposition of defective materials.

I was hired by the company to train with the shift supervisor and fill in for him in his absence. I was promoted to Shift Supervisor when the supervisor retired.

Responsible for inventory aircraft parts in conjunction with base supply

Associated Degree, Wildlife Technology

Attended Lean Champion Boot Camp in the United Kingdom and Hanover, PA in June of 2007, trained in lean manufacturing techniques.

Vocational, Business