Consultant, Kevin Kennedy Associates Inc.
Providing expertise in
lean manufacturing, high volume and automotive manufacturing, automotive manufacturing operations management, strategic planning, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
President, executive management company
Successfully orchestrated plan to increase productivity of painted parts on military MRAP armored vehicles by 10% in 30 days for major military OEM contractor.
President/COO/Partner, W2 Industries LLC, Novi, MI
Provided strategic planning and launch of greenfield manufacturing site for Fortune 500 automotive supplier in South Korea. Continued developing a basis for importing parts from China. Engaged in business development for multi-division automotive supplier.
Chief Operating Officer, SETi Manufacturing, Pensacola, FL
Was responsible for financial turnaround of Kitco facility. Executed the development of “low perm hose” manufacturing process. Adept at strengthening commercial relations, especially Dupont/Dow. Improved overall manufacturing quality and efficiency by 20% in one year.
Vice President Operations, TRACKER Marine, Springfield, MO
Improved efficiency and quality of six manufacturing locations by 24% in ten months. Restructured customer service from 30 to 20 people with savings of $500K, while simplifying process for customers. Orchestrated first on-site JD Powers’ product audit; an assessment that resulted in new quality standards.
Vice President, Division Manager, New Venture Gear, Troy, MI
Restructured 100-year-old GM UAW plant into cellular manufacturing, resulting in $60M turnaround. Established first Kaizen office in corporate UAW environment. Combined 15 UAW skilled trades classifications into 10. Saved $500K per year. Negotiated major gains in outsourcing with UAW, saving $2.5M per year.
Vice President – Operations/Automotive Division, A.O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, WI
Was responsible for six-month financial turnaround of Granite City facility, which was losing $600K monthly. Instituted efficiency and quality competition among five plants, which resulted in winning the Presidents’ Award for most improved.
Assistant Plant Manager, Belvidere Assembly Plant, Chrysler Corporation, Rockford, IL
Launched first small car platform, Neon. Benchmarked all Toyota manufacturing plants in USA.
Supervisor, Volkswagen Manufacturing of America
Two- year manufacturing assignment in Wolfsburg, Germany.
