Our Team

Rubens is a Senior Operation Executive, with 30+ years of industry esperience, in Manufacturing, Business Development, Operations and Quality. Skilled in operational excellence through lean transformations. Hands on leader with clear sense of purpose and urgency.

Rubens is a business leader with strong experience in developing and implementing long-term strategies.

Extremely focused on results, able to motivate teams and transform businesses to deliver excellent results.

Passionate about Lean Manufacturing culture and Innovation

Industry Experience

• Automotive OEM
• Automotive Tier 1 Suppliers
• Industrial Sector
• Business Management
• Agriculture

Experienced executive and engineer with an MBA and over 20 years in operational leadership, strategic management, and business transformation across global and local organizations. Skilled in Lean Management, Industry 4.0, robotics, automation, and digitalization. Proven track record of improving performance, optimizing processes, and driving sustainable growth. Fluent in English and Polish, passionate about building future-ready organizations.​

MAIN  ACHIEVEMENTS

WABCO POLSKA (ZF) ​

• Standardized global processes for operational consistency.​
• Led cross-functional teams to optimize value streams and reduce waste.​
• Implemented Lean strategies to streamline end-to-end production.​

DIEHL CONTROLS POLSKA​

• Boosted productivity while maintaining high-quality standards.​
• Reorganized plant operations and teams for efficiency.​
• Introduced Manage by Engagement for sustainable growth.​

OPOLE VOIVODESHIP MENTORING PROGRAM ​

• Advised entrepreneurs on strategy, management, and business growth.​

J.S. HAMILTON POLAND​

• Improved P&L performance through strategic operational projects.​
• Reduced Turn-Around-Time and standardized management systems across six countries.

CONTEC S.A.​

• Streamlined structures and processes to enable rapid growth.​
• Implemented KPI systems and problem-solving frameworks.​
• Standardized processes and improved data-sharing platforms.​

NDUSTRIES ​

Automotive, Electronics, Testing and Certification services, Environmental (Waste Tire Recycling and Pyrolysis Sector)​

PROCESSES​

Manufacturing and Assembly, Testing and Quality Assurance, Thermochemical Conversion​

Experienced production leader with over 40 years in the automotive, tire, and valve industries across Brazil, Mexico, and Europe. Expert in driving operational excellence through Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies, with a proven track record of optimizing processes and achieving significant results. Passionate about turning challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.

MAIN  ACHIEVEMENTS:

GOODYEAR

•Manufacture hierarchical levels reduction.

•Reduction in compound mixer loading time.

•Radial truck tire (Unisteel) production startup in Brazil.

•Tire manufacture productivity increase.

•Small Business Team Implementation with a reduction of hierarchical levels.

•Creation and implementation of the CAPI system.

•Low cost tire assembly machinery creation with equivalent productivity to high-cost machines.

•Management of assembly, startup, and operation tire assembly plants for Just-in-Time delivery to OEM’s

•Key role in the implementation of Lean philosophy.

ZF / TRW  Automotive & Marine.

•Suppliers’ Quality & Delivery development to sustain daily commitments.

•Suppliers’ inventory management

•Lean Promoter Officer.

•Business Cost Reduction, Turnaround Plants and developed multi cultural & High-Performance Teams.

•“ERP-Just in Time” implementation.

INDUSTRIES:   
Tires and Rubbe, Automotive, Industrial and Marine Business

PROCESSES:
Forging, Casting, Machining, Grinding, Heating, Coatings, Assembly, Compounding, Calendaring, Extruding, curing

Senior leader with 30+ years of experience in the automotive industry in program management, engineering, business development, administration, launch of new projects, industry 4.0 and health and safety in multicultural environments and geographies. 3+ years as an independent consultant providing customers with innovative solutions to support sustainable growth, focusing on process optimisation and digital transformation journey. MBA, Master in Digital Transformation and Health & Safety. ​

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS​

Dura Automotive​

• Successful Implementation of manufacturing 4.0 projects – predictive maintenance​
• Supported COO in the transition process and integration to new ownership through procedures and business practices transformation and standardisation. ​

Aptiv/Delphi​

• Leading teams in Engineering, Program Management, Sales Administration and Business Acquisition globally​
• Leading cross-functional teams for strategy, process optimisation and resources displacement into best cost locations within EMEA;​
• Leading Health & Safety standards implementation across EMEA plants;​
• Co-author of manual of Health & Safety best practices for the Portuguese electric industry.​

Consultancy Services​

• Digital Transformation​
• Process Optimization​
• Profitability Improvement​
• Strategy Definition​
• Training & Coaching​

INDUSTRIES ​

• Automotive (Tier 1)​
• Services – Training, Coaching, Consultancy​

PROCESSES​

• Development of best practices for digital transformation​
• Administration and Management systems process optimisation using lean methodology ​
• Black belt certified​

Hands-on Change Leader with 40+ years of experience in Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Six Sigma, Lean, Operational Excellence & Business Turnaround in different regions around the World , with a proven track record of identifying and resolving business risks, assisting companies developing and implementing their strategies adding value and enhancing profitability. Common sense approach and proven, effective problem-solving background, ​

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS​

Nissan Motors UK​

• Key player in the start-up of the greenfield plant in Sunderland From Supervisor, Senior Supervisor and Line Manager for Press Shop and Body Assembly.​
• Supplier performance improvement leader​
• 16 months (on 8 trips) to Japan.​
• Development leader on 4 new models for Body Shop processes. From clay model stage to market launch.​

WABCO. ​

• Joined as Productivity Improvement Leader for Wroclaw plant in Poland, then promoted to Plant Manager (2,400 employees). ​
• Lead the recovery from the 2008 global crash, transforming Wroclaw from a low labor cost ‘screwdriver’ plant into the best performing plant in the group.​
• Then appointed as Global VP Quality. ​

Carnaud MetalBox​

• Global Program Leader on World Class Manufacturing for 370 plants .​
• Recruited, trained and lead a team of 45 WCM Engineers with projects on performance improvement in quality, cost and productivity.​

TRW Automotive​

• Productivity Improvement Manager for their 48 European plants​
• Significant gains in OEE levels, PPM rates.​

Syngenta Agribusiness​

• Swiss based, but globally active supporting their improvement strategy.​
• Lead projects in India, China, Europe​

NDUSTRIES ​

• Automotive (both in mainstream and suppliers); Aerospace; Consumer Goods; Agribusiness; Packaging and drinks cans;​

PROCESSES​

Assembly and production lines; Machining, Robotized welding. Chemicals. ​

Hands-on Senior executive with 35+ years of global experience in Manufacturing, Logistics, Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Excellence. A proven track record of leadership at site, multi site and regional leadership in Asia and Europe including development of regional manufacturing & Logistics strategies, factory start up, turnaround and right sizing. Extensive experience in Kaizen, Lean and continuous improvement, with global experience in multicultural teams.​

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS​

Power Brakes Ltd (UK)​

• Support multi site restructuring strategy​
• Design and launch of High-Volume manufacturing lines​
• Kaizen Leader for UK factories​

American Standard WABCO (China)​

• Development of manufacturing competencies in JV company​
• Build & Launch of major Manufacturing & Logistics warehouse sites​
• Development of regional Manufacturing & Logistics competencies in Asia (China, S. Korea, Japan)​

WABCO (Netherlands)​

• Factory Turnaround To​
• Single Digit PPM​
• High Labour Efficiency​
• Re-design of factory layout​

WABCO – Europe​

Design & Implementation of a Manufacturing Engineering competency to support Global operations​

Europe Regional leader (8 sites) creating double digit productivity, single digit PPM, site rationalization & Lean deployment ​

INDUSTRIES ​

• Automotive Commercial Vehicle, Passenger Car​

PROCESSES​

Machining, Assembly, Surface Coatings, Fabrication​

Shop Floor manufacturing Leader who combines leadership with fact driven statistical analysis to guide decision makers to business excellence.  

Operations leader with global experience in Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement – both Kaizen and Six Sigma approaches, Supplier Development, Quality, and machine building. Master Black belt with extensive experience with Shingijutsu style continuous improvement. 

Expert in quantifying site level strength, weakness, opportunities and threats to develop business plan and drive success. Tom has a broad P&L background in Global Operations. Tom has worked  in SE Asia, China, Japan and Germany. 

MAIN ACHIEVEMENT

Kelsey Hayes  

• High speed automated assembly and testing  

• Supplier Development 

• Inventory control  

• SPC implementation to improve business performance. P&L responsible 

Lucas Varity 

• CNC machining – grinding, drilling, and milling using carbon  steel and diamond tools to shape T6 aluminum 

• Supplier Quality utilizing statistical analysis to improve quality. P&L responsible. 

TRW  Asia Pacific 

• Drove all aspects of business improvements, kaizen, six sigma and business excellence. 

• Assessed, quantified, planned and implemented specific continuous improvement programs. 

  TRW Fuji Serina 

• President of Joint Venture 

• Led explosive growth while improving cost, quality, delivery and safety KPI’s. 

• Focused supplier development in critical steel and machine building assets 

•     20+ years P&L responsibilities 

Industries: 

• Automotive  

• Automotive Aftermarket 

• Consumer Products 

• Agriculture 

Processes: 

• Forging, Casting, Welding, CNC Machining, Grinding, Heat Treatment,, Coatings, Assembly, Plasma Transfer arc deposit

35+ years of solid know-how acquired as Lean Practitioner with World-Class organizations with P+L Responsibility. Kevin Spencer Smith is a Lean Thinker, a past President of Norman Bodek Productivity Inc. The Manufacturing Operations Lean Leader at GE Hitachi, a world-leading supplier of boiling water reactor fuel and fuel-related engineering services. He is an accomplished Change Agent with extensive international experience in multiple industries, including, Aerospace, Nuclear, Automotive, Footwear, and Apparel. Kevin has broad P&L background in Manufacturing and Consulting Services, Kevin has 15 years combined Asian business experience, gained in China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.  

MAIN ACHIEVEMENT

GE Hitachi – USA 

• Sr Lean Manager 

• Lean deployment 

• Development of Lean Roadmaps in Manufacturing, Transactional & Services. 

• Development of Value Stream Maps as the cornerstone for driving CI via Kaizens 

• Train and execute Kaizens 

K.Spenser Smith & Associates – Founder 

Oliver Wyman Automotive Consulting – Partner 

Productivity Inc, – President 

• Working with customers to further their Lean Journey by conducting Lean  deployment, Training and executing Kaizens 

Industries: 

• Nuclear 

• Automotive 

• Aerospace 

• Footwear 

32 years’ experience President/CEO, EVP, GM, PM, Engineering & Operations Manager positions with World-Class organizations with P+L Responsibility.  Duane Wilson is a Lean Thinker and Problem Solver, with International Experience in Operations, Supply Chain, Sales/Account Management, & Customer Service/Quality.  Duane’s Lean Principles originated from TPS and expanded through DBS.  Duane’s expertise is structured around Hoshin Kanri, Policy Deployment, High Performance Teams, and a Tiered Visual Management System to align lean activities with Business Strategy.   

Duane has a broad P&L background in Global Operations. Duane lived in SE Asia, Penang, Malaysia, as an EXPAT, as well as significant supply chain and operations in all SE Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Canada, as well as several other countries. 

MAIN ACHIEVEMENT

Emerald Edge Partners: Commercial Landscaping & General Contracting 

• Founder/President/CEO Implemented Hoshin Kanri Strategy  

• Drive Sales & ROI Investment.  22% YOY Sales Growth & 5 month ROI on Asset Management.    

• Lean Contract Development to drive 32 average days receivable and 47 days payable for a positive 15 day cash flow on average. 

• SQDC & Customer Service Focused.    

Quantum Leap Partners & Rifle Paper Company (Assembly & Distribution Center):  

• Implemented Shop Floor Visual Management, Gemba Walks & Cadence   

• Problem Solving OTD, Throughput, Efficiency, & Ship Cost Reduction 

• Developed Cost Center Management – Mentored Department Managers on a Check Book approach aligned to budget and forecast.  

GE Hitachi Nuclear:  

• Key Development & Implementation of Hoshin Kanri Operations at all Plants. 

• Executive VP Operations P&L. CNC parts manufacturing, assembly, and uranium fuel pellets.     

• Implemented Visual Management, Tiered Gemba System, Policy Deployment 

• Drove Cash Flow via Inventory Management and Tact Time Flow Systems    

Tier 1 Automotive Management – GKN, TRW, and Cooper Standard Automotive 

• GM, PM, Ops Mgr., ME Mgr., CQE, QE & SQE.  Implemented TPS, DBS, and A3 Problem Solving Methods. Responsible for dozens of New Program Launches. 

• Implemented Visual Management & Gemba Walks, Policy Deployment for Operations & Supply Chain Lean.     

Other: Engineered Controls International (Propane Component Manufacturing), Haldex Hydraulics (Component Manufacturing) 

• VP Operations & Lean.  P&L Responsible at Haldex. 

• Implemented Corporate Lean Team & System      

• Changed Inventory to focus on Tact Time, Velocity, and improve OTD.   

Industries: 

• Automotive Tier 1 

• Off-Highway 

• Oil & Gas 

• Nuclear Fuels, Components, and Assembly 

• Retail & Wholesale Distribution Centers 

• General Contracting 

• Commercial Landscaping & Installs  

Processes: 

• Forging, Castings, CNC Machining, Welding, Grinding, Chemical Processing, Heat Treatments, Injection Molding, Hard Coatings, Painting, Assembly, Outdoor and Indoor Installations and GC Construction.