Tom Buechner Email & Phone Number

Responsible for a $170 million division serving the specialty vehicle, off-road, bus, trailer, heavy truck, and automotive seating markets. Progressed from Product Manager to Director within 15 years. Supervised several field sales and service personnel. Secured over $20 million in new business and increased sales in addition to handling day-to-day responsibilities for key accounts. Negotiated contracts for new business and price increases. Earned MBA while working full-time. Responsible for budgets, forecasts, new product development, and performance appraisals. Presented business plans to CEO of parent company, a $2.5 billion entity, and remainder of leadership team. Performed due diligence for several acquisitions as part of a corporate team. utilized creative background to created print advertising, copy, and other associated sales aides.

Volunteered to assume responsibility for an acquired company that was relocated from Rhode Island to corporate HQ in Illinois following the resignation of key personnel. Despite inexperience and a faulty product line was able to maintain business and customer relationships in the wake of numerous bad business practice accusations and threats of litigation. Served as Product Manager to launch new product and worked closely with in-house PR to promote the product and attract the attention of several trade publications. The product was a control and measuring system for continuous web processes such as plastics, non-woven, duct tape, and paper applications. Measuring instruments involved the use of radio active materials, so an expedited learning curve was imperative.

Handled replacement part orders, conducted engineering research to identify correct parts, put together rebuild kit BOM's, prepared quotes, expedited break-down orders, and worked closely with automotive supplier plants after the delivery and start up of new transfer lines and CNC milling machines. Within two years was credited with record sales for the department. Following the announcement of plant closing coordinated the relocation of the business from Rockford, IL to Novi, MI. As part of that effort I sourced and installed a new computer system, established internal controls and processes, hired and trained new inside sales personnel, and created management reports that could be produced with the push of a button.