JOHNNY LASIKEO
South Elgin,IL
Summary
Manufacturing professional specializing in operational optimization using lean methodologies and kaizen events. Proven leadership skills enhance team development, resulting in substantial productivity gains and record financial performance. Strong business acumen combined with expertise in quality management systems drives continuous improvement initiatives.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Manufacturing Engineer - Lean Supervisor
Elgin Sweeper Company
Elgin, IL
05.2023 - Current
- Site Continuous Improvement and Kaizen Leader for Federal Signal Lean Solutions Management System.
- Led seven Lean Kaizens in 2024 with TBM Consulting Group, focusing on line balancing and improving Pelican Street Sweeper production, increasing weekly output from 6-7 to 9-12 units and reducing backlog lead-time from 1.5 years to 6 months through Hoshin Kanri and kitting strategies.
- Partnered with IMEC from 2018-2023 on Lean strategy deployment, on-site Lean simulation workshops, and continuous improvement assessments, enhancing Elgin Sweeper EHS program and Lean maturity.
- Site Lean/Continuous Improvement and Problem-Solving Trainer.
- Facilitated Kaizen events, managing CI roadmap, pre-event planning, execution, and 30/60/90-day sustainment coordination.
- Implemented Leader Standard Work through education, coaching, influence, deployment, and adherence.
- Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, Fishbone, and A3 for problem solving.
- Support C.I. Team project priorities and business alignment with weekly 4-Blocker reporting.
- Build operations dept. visual management Performance Boards to enable effective daily/weekly/monthly performance reviews for daily board walk.
- Daily Gemba Walk- SQDC Performance Board Facilitation– Tier System Accountability.
- Direct reports are two C.I. Techs, a Tool/Die/Fixture Maker, and a Pull System (Kanban) Maintenance Coordinator.
- 2025 marked a record financial year for Elgin Sweeper.
- Develop, document, and maintain Standard Work and SOPs for replenishment processes.
Manufacturing Engineer - Lean & Fabrication dept. Supervisor
Elgin Sweeper Company
Elgin, IL
01.2018 - 04.2023
- Supervised a team comprising three Laser Operators, four Press Brake Operators, and one M.E. Technician.
- Directed KPI management for fabrication department with emphasis on improving safety, quality, delivery, and productivity metrics.
- Project Manager: Overseeing $1M Capex, fiber laser sheet metal cutter installation to replace end-of-life CO2 laser machine.
- The implementation of Industry 4.0 machine monitoring on laser and press brake assets, combined with the application of advanced laser cutting strategies to all raw sheet metal materials, resulted in a reduction of machine downtime due to failures from 11% to 1%. Furthermore, the adoption of SMED methodologies decreased machine idle time from 45% to 25%.
- Enhanced OEE by 29% for all laser cutting equipment and achieved a 25% increase for every press brake.
- Enhanced the production process and raised laser cutting rectangular efficiency from 50% to 85% by optimizing nesting and boosting productivity, resulting in significantly improved throughput.
- Led Static to Dynamic Nest Optimization Strategy project, achieving a $215K reduction in annual sheet metal material scrap costs.
- Led a major 2P layout project supporting Project Manager for the fabrication department, repositioning three laser cutters and four press brakes to enhance safety, productivity, OEE, workflow, and reduce forklift and pallet usage.
- Facilitated seven Kaizen events in the fabrication department, focusing on press brake SMED and one-piece flow.
Manufacturing Engineer - Lean
Elgin Sweeper Company
Elgin, IL
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Introduced and implemented Heijunka Scheduling- Lean manufacturing technique used to balance production volume and product variety in a soft zone, improving On-Time-Delivery, reducing finished goods inventory, and holding costs through scheduling flexibility for Just-In-Time manufacturing.
- Improved and expanded One-Piece Flow Systems for major weldment parts in street sweeping machines, which cut W.I.P. inventory costs, freed warehouse space, and boosted productivity, capacity, and throughput.
- Developed 2P/3P layouts through observation studies, time studies, and layout vision Kaizens to enhance ergonomics, optimize material processing, and improve quality at the source, increasing throughput and reducing lead time.
- Updated part setups, routings, and bill of materials; managed process changes and revisions to streamline manufacturing workflows.
- Supported operations and initiatives to align with Federal Signal Corporation's strategic objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management
Rasmussen University
Rockford, IL01.2014
Skills
- Lean improvement
- Value stream mapping
- Operational efficiency
- Cost reduction initiatives
- Project management
- Data analytics
- Root cause analysis
- Strategy deployment
- Safety accountability
- Team development
- Leadership skills
Timeline
Manufacturing Engineer - Lean Supervisor
Elgin Sweeper Company
05.2023 - Current
Manufacturing Engineer - Lean & Fabrication dept. Supervisor
Elgin Sweeper Company
01.2018 - 04.2023
Manufacturing Engineer - Lean
Elgin Sweeper Company
01.2015 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management
Rasmussen University