Varadarajan Balaraman

Responsibilities:

• Lead new business opportunities with a global product development focus for propshaft product line.
• Manage product sizing and selection to align design with customer specifications as well as with internal design/process standards
• Manage multiple development programs to enhance product portfolio as needed by the market
• Synergize global expert network to facilitate achievement of project goals
• Lead global ppsi activities involving design and process
• Support customer interactions as a technical specialist for propshaft products and processes
• Lead the build, pilot and release of Propshaft FMEA generic template for global applications use
• Release product development/industrialization reports showcasing performance and cost benefits to internal/external colleagues

Accomplishments:

• Created original concept Center-Bearing assembly variants (ANAQUA-200056 & 200057) for a VW VAVE pursuit. Though not implemented in VW, the concepts have the potential to save a min. $0.5 per propshaft across all GKN programs. Concept-testing and characterization planned for 2021.
• Solved a long-standing (5+ years) customer-complaint with VOLVO SPA program via effective ppsi in front of the customer. This problem was causing (300) 3-piece propshaft replacements per year.
• 'B4'-released the first overmolded (OM) plunging CV joint-system in serial production (on GM T1XX: 0.8M pieces per year)
• 'B3'-released the first truly sealed high temp. medium angle fixed CV joint-system. This product solves long-lasting customer complaint on grease-leak. Also saves ~$1.0 system BOM-cost by eliminating vent-system.
• Headed the high-priority VAVE product development project (VIP00505), going from requirements synthesis to B3-level product readiness in 8 months; $3.2M in annual savings potential on GM T1XX program
• Created an original concept solution (ANAQUA-190057) which allows wide application of a low-cost TPE sealing system

Responsibilities:

• Technical liaison between Engineering and Operations for implementing next-gen Halfshaft and Propshaft products
• Lead or support program launch activities (Toyota 500B Halfshaft, Honda Civic MY21 Halfshaft, GM T1XX Propshaft, FCA DT Propshaft, GM A2XX Front & Rear Propshafts)
• Investigate problems involving design and process factors in C/D phase
• Lead DFM/DFA evaluations for new and replacement businesses
• Characterize products to advance the understanding of process influences

Accomplishments:

• Prevented $2.4M CAPEX via "never-before" propshaft NVH analysis
• Saved $0.85M scrap/year via multi-crimp clamping process optimization
• Saved $0.76M scrap/year by solving imbalance problems in a propshaft

Responsibilities: (More information can be provided)

• Lead design engineering projects to improve performance and/or cost

Responsibilities: (More information can be provided)

• Establish and stabilize a manufacturing system in Tire Assembly shop (greenfield start-up), leading team of (20) junior engineers

Responsibilities: (Please ask for more information as needed)

• Upkeep business metrics of Tire Assembly value stream, leading it's (52) associates

Responsibilities: (Please ask for more information as needed)

• Upkeep business metrics of Soaps manufacturing plant, leading it's (75) unionized associates