Luke VanWoudenberg

Production Area Manager for the Medium Brush Chipper value stream and the robot weld cell in Plant 4
- Led implementation of a centralized tack cell for robotic welding operations, consolidating work previously performed across multiple shifts and improving weld quality while reducing labor requirements by 25%
- Led team through multiple reductions in build rate, effectively balancing workload following staffing reductions and optimizing cross training within the team to reduce operational risk
- Championed MDI efforts for a multi shift production area, leveraging data, structured problem solving, and cross shift collaboration to implement and sustain operational improvements

Responsible for tactical work for the electronics and wire harnesses commodity group
-Managed the strategic relationship with Dexter Axle Company and Dexter Distribution Group, measuring a total of $6M in annual spend
- Resolved a persistent invoice price discrepancy issue, resulting in decreased purchase price variance
- Implemented a new pricing contract with both suppliers, eliminating spot price increases on purchased parts and establishing a formal price increase process
-Created reports to assist the strategic sourcing and materials teams using SQL Developer and PowerBI Desktop
- Created a PowerBI report that anticipates future order frequency on low volume purchased parts, driving conversations around reducing order frequencies and increasing time spent on value added activities in the materials team
- Created a PowerBI audit report showing forecasted parts with vendors marked for deletion, allowing commodity managers increased visibility to parts needing to be re-sourced
- Created a PowerBI dashboard showing current CPO conversion usage by the materials teams, highlighting key insights needed to eliminate waste from our procurement process

-Led the move of the small stump cutter assembly line across Plant 1 and was responsible for all aspects of setting up the line, including layout, infrastructure, and line flow. Executed this move while losing only 1 unit of production.
- Participated in 8 and assumed leadership roles in 3 kaizen events. Driving change for the better in the areas of safety, quality, cost, and delivery. Two of these events resulted in 10% or greater HPU reductions in the small trailed mower and 3-Point mower lines.
-Created a volume planning tool for the small stump cutter line, resulting in improved responsiveness and clearer standards for team members as build rates vary