Steve Luedke
Algoma,WI
Summary
Proven, Executive Leadership with over 28 years of experience in the printing and packaging industry. Results-producing career demonstrates exceptional leadership skills and fiscally responsible management. Confident and decisive leader with diverse background provides a unique, well-rounded skillset to drive operational efficiencies as well as develop business with key customers while also managing vendor relationships.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Technology & Engineering
Wausau Coated Products
01.2023 - 03.2024
- Member of 5 person executive team responsible for creating and executing 3 and 5 year business plans as well as yearly company budget
- Responsible for setting department goals and creating action items to support the overall business plan
- Managed capital budget and expansion planning. Lead the succesful installation of 4 new production assets and completion of building addition and new nitrogen system in less than one year
- Led team through Kaizen activity to increase run speeds of our largest production line by 30% through process improvements and equipment modification
- Overall responsibility for Quality, Technical/ R&D, and Engineering and Maintenance teams
Chief Engineering Officer
Innovairre
07.2021 - 01.2023
- Tasked with start up of new business unit for the company.
- Grew the business from $O to over $8MM in new revenue within 10 months with minimal capital investment
- Responsible for all capital projects and existing equipment for three production facilities
- Worked with production to improve on-time delivery from 89% to over 99% through supply chain disruptions and ocean freight shipping delays
- Took over responsibility for all Prepress employees and functions for the business to correct internal issues and stop mass resignations within the department. Streamlined and automated processes to improve throughput while reducing required staff from 11 to 8.
Director of Engineering, Americas
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
12.2017 - 07.2021
- Led plant expansion and closure projects in support of company goals through acquisitions and mergers. Met all timelines and budget commitments outlined in project planning
- Worked across all facilities to understand their equipment needs. Worked with managers on cost justifications and ROI submissions for executive review and project sign off
- Evaluated new equipment and technology that gave us competitive advantages and kept us ahead of our competition. Negotiated pricing and service contracts with vendors
- Led our digital print strategy. Evaluated emerging technology and was our resident expert on what fit best for our needs across different product lines.
- Managed team of as many as 9 process and project engineers. Focused on process efficiencies, writing standard work procedures and building custom equipment in-house to provide savings and effieciency gains. The team also handled equipment moves which provided large time and cost savings instead of hiring outside rigging companies.
- Continued to do product development work and managing several key accounts.
Business & Market Development Manager
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
01.2007 - 12.2017
- Responsible for building our game piece business and establishing the relationship with The Marketing Store, resulting in sales in excess of $20MM in some years at over 50% margins. Led a team to establish McDonalds security compliant facility as well as custom built equipment capable of running the construction in-line with full 4 C/P variable imaging and creating a one of a kind machine for the industry.
- Worked with our equipment division on lease programs for many of the vessel plants in the McDonalds supply chain leading to equipment sales and yearly leases of multiple machines
- Led the company's digital print strategy with a focus on UV inkjet leading to the ability to do variable printing in-line with flexo and providing a competitive advantage.
- Support the sales team on customer visits, presentations and product development sessions by providing technical expertise on print capabilities, constructions and material and adhesive recommendations
- Managed UL/CSA compliance and product portfolio across all facilities. Worked with raw material and ink and laminate suppliers in a cooperative agreement to offer pre-printed products portfolio to save our customer's both time and money and allow us to gain the business.
Special Projects Coordinator
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
01.1999 - 03.2007
- Worked on development of a patented web-based game piece in multiple constructions that led to multiple years of multimillion dollar sales years at 40-70% profit margins
- R&D work on specialty inks, coatings, materials and constructions to create unique product offerings to our customers
- Managed vendor relationships in both equipment and raw materials gaining a deep understanding of the products offered to the industry. This lead to long standing relationships with the product development teams and many of the largest vendors in our business.
- Was responsible for communication between the production team and estimating to ensure accurate information about running new products was entered into our systems correctly.
- Managed test runs and interacted with Sales and our customers on product development goals and progress
Estimator
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
06.1996 - 01.1999
- Entry level position to learn the printing business and become familiar with the inks, coatings and raw materials used in the creation of label constructions
- Learned the capabilities of press and other equipment used in the manufacturing process
- Provided accurate cost estimates in a timely manner helping to secure new business from our clients
- Quickly took over responsibility for all specialty inks, coatings and constructions as well as all new development work that would be new to the company.
Education
BBA -
St Norbert College
De Pere, WISkills
- Executive Leadership Experience
- Capital & Expense Budget Management
- Business Development
- Project & Product Management
- Lean Manufacturing
- Contract & Purchase Negotiation
- Key Account Management
- Vendor Management
- Flexo, Digital, Offset and Screen Printing
Timeline
Vice President of Technology & Engineering
Wausau Coated Products
01.2023 - 03.2024
Chief Engineering Officer
Innovairre
07.2021 - 01.2023
Director of Engineering, Americas
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
12.2017 - 07.2021
Business & Market Development Manager
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
01.2007 - 12.2017
Special Projects Coordinator
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
01.1999 - 03.2007
Estimator
Multi-Color Corporation / WS Packaging Group
06.1996 - 01.1999
BBA -
St Norbert College
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