Plastic Expert Specializing in the Automotive Markets, Plastic Innovations and Business Management

Technical Consultant #1693

Over 45 years of experience (corporate and independent) with virtually all plastic and composite materials and processes - both thermoplastics (extensively, engineering thermoplastics - ETP) and thermoset resin system.
Over 30 years of corporate management experience plus 12 years of achievements with clients in the international automotive and engineering plastics industries, primarily focused on North America and Europe but with considerable Japanese experience.
Innovation and commercialization resulting in many industry firsts, including engineering thermoplastic bumper systems, automotive exterior body panels, headlamps and instrument panels.
Led innovations in automotive seating and other interior systems, including instrument panels.
Led profitable growth business in the plastics industry utilizing innovation in strategy, marketing and product/process offerings.
Focusing on catalyzing and driving innovation, primarily in the plastics/composites industry.
Expert witness involving engineering plastics.

Independent Consultant, 1998 - Present

Engineering plastics business development for automotive and other industrial applications.
Innovation and new product development (primarily, but not exclusively related to plastics).
Clients ($20 million to $30 billion) assignments have ranged from months to 5 years.
Expert witness in several cases involving engineering plastics, most recently involving molded nylon parts for automotive seating systems.

Johnson Controls, Inc., Plymouth, MI, 1993-1998

Executive Director, Product Planning and New Product Development, 1996-1998

Led business teams that developed innovative automobile seating systems.
Expanded JCI's interior business beyond seating by developing and negotiating a joint venture (Intertec Systems) that established JCI in the instrument panel business.
Formed and led a combined team to win a global competition to become Chrysler's new instrument panel supplier resulting in significant ($450 million) new business during JCI's acquisition of Prince Corp.
Brought eleven new product ideas from concept to marketable concept and working prototype stage.
Nine additional products from prior R&D prepared for sale, with one introduced at the North American International Auto Show.

General Manager, Engineered Plastics Division, 1993-1996

Led all functions of this $130 million supplier of interior, exterior and underhood plastic components.
Leveraged company strengths in blow molding, energy management design, structural and underhood automotive components to grow revenues, while improving financial performance, quality, safety, operational efficiency and labor relations at three manufacturing facilities. Division produced 950,000 parts/month, using a range of thermoplastics, including over 25 million lb./yr. of nylon polymers and compounds, with annual revenue of $130 million.
Turned Tuscaloosa, AL plant losses to profits, safety from company worst to best, quality from 4000 PPM to 40 and reversed a UAW organization drive with a solid election win.

Complax Corp. and Tarxien Corp, Ajax, Ontario, CA, Vice President, 1991 - 1993

Directed the marketing, sales and business planning functions for both companies.
Developed and implemented a restructuring plan to optimize business, pricing, operations and organization.
Reversed Complax 1991 losses ($10 million on sales of $30 million) with break even in 1992, profit in 1993.
Assured Tarxien's profitable growth by adding customers and products and new sales with products based on engineering thermoplastics (e.g., nylon, acetal and others).

Orion Investment Group, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Senior Vice President, 1990 - 1991

A partnership of former Decoma senior executives, acting with international investors.
Identified, developed and negotiated acquisitions in the plastics/composites and automotive industries.

Magna - Decoma Plastics Group, Concord, Ontario, V.P. Marketing and Technology, 1988 - 1989

Led new business development and the units comprising the marketing, design and engineering, product and process development, production tooling and composites manufacturing groups.
Resultant programs for plastic automotive bumper systems and energy absorbers, fenders and body panels contributed to significant growth in sales and earnings.
Grew group sales from $250 to $450 million and profits from $6 million to $30 million.

Ashland Chemical Company, Director of Commercial Development, 1984-1988

Led the business groups involved with composite resin systems for Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) applications.
Oversaw the development and commercialization of new resin systems that created structural Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) resulting in a new industry segment - as well as a specialty thermoplastics materials portfolio whose technology was later sold profitably.
Initiated and completed a JV partnership in Japan.

GE Plastics (now SABIC Innovative Polymers), 1972 - 1984

Manager, Strategy Development, Pittsfield, MA, 1983 - 1984

Developed the strategic plan that changed the business from product-centered to market-centered.

Academic and Professional Affiliations

Credentials

Past Director, two privately held companies in the plastics industry: one a specialty plastics equipment manufacturer, one a $450 million molder of thermoplastics.

Publications

B.S., Plastics Technology, Lowell Technological Institute (University of Massachusetts), MA