Travis Thiex Email & Phone Number

Volga, South Dakota, United States

Passionate about driving growth and innovation in the manufacturing sector! As a Business Advisor at South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions (SDMTS), I collaborate with small and medium-sized manufacturers, empowering them to thrive in today's dynamic business environment.

Volga, South Dakota, United States

Responsible for developing a team that is responsible for the optimization, design, and implementation of manufacturing processes, equipment and plant. Driving continuous improvement in process design, cost savings, quality and resource utilization.

Volga, South Dakota, United States

We design and implement automation and robotic integration, while taking a wholistic approach using lean techniques to ensure success of the project.

Brookings, SD

• TAP Robotics Business Advisor for SDMTS
• Consult with South Dakota manufacturers about workforce shortages and how to solve them with automation
• Assess manufacturers’ readiness for automation
• Implement strategic automation into facilities
• Help businesses and manufacturers increase productivity and become more competitive
• Integrate collaborative robotics with other technologies

South Dakota, I-29 Corridor

• Provided Lean consulting, tooling, and advanced automation development and implementation.
• Developed robotic welding system for a variety of different applications utilizing various integrators.
• Developed automated control systems including design, assembly, programming, and installation.
• Designed tooling, including tool and dies, welding fixtures, assembly fixtures and tools.
• Consulted for Lean Manufacturing, assisting in Kaizen events and optimizing cell layout.
• Assisted in industrial equipment and capital good appropriations proving ROI and implementation plan.

Manitou Group

• Managed results driven team of Engineers, Technicians, Interns, Leads and production employees.
• Managed pilot builds and production launches.
• Created and implemented policies, procedures and standard work instructions.
• Assisted with creating annual capital budget and implementation plan.
• Justified capital appropriations and managed installation of robotic welding cells, plasma punches, folders, press breaks and tooling projects.
• Assisted in new product development, design for manufacturing and revealing and eliminating production difficulties.

• Negotiated costs with vendors and cut purchase orders to reduce costs and increase timeliness.
• Provided outside sales with technical and pricing assistance.
• Strategically managed multiple projects simultaneously focusing on critical timelines, strict deadlines, customer satisfaction and profit margin.
• Compiled documentation requested by customers to fill contractual obligations (Submittals)
• Engineered efficient flow control systems emphasizing efficiency and maximizing repeatability.
• Worked with electric, pneumatic & electro pneumatic systems.

• Provided Industrial Engineering support to an ISO 9000 certified manufacturing facility.
• Developed processes and assembly methods
• Created and maintained routings and bill of material’s (BOM’s).
• Justified and acquired capital equipment.
• Developed layouts to improve process flow and product costs and maintained these layouts.
• Identified and implemented process improvements that reduced product costs and improve quality and delivery.