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The Engineering Curmudgeon - Blog
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Providing Innovative
Solutions to Complex Engineering Problems
Robert
E. Utter
3402 Chase Road
Adrian, MI
(517) 424-6109
info@innovativethermal.com
SUMMARY
OF QUALIFICATIONS
Extensive experience developing new mechanical and heat transfer
technology with seventeen years in progressive engineering management
positions. A strategic thinker with vision and innovative solutions to
complex technical and managerial problems. Strong expertise and proven
track record at developing new technology, new methods and new systems
in complex engineering environments. Inventor on twenty nine
patents.
PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE
2003-
Present
INNOVATIVE THERMAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, Adrian, MI
A product development and engineering consulting firm.
Owner and senior consultant
Innovative Thermal Solutions improves the competitiveness of its
customers by providing cost effective product development and
engineering design solutions using a flexible network of industry
experts and state-of-the-art facilities.
1999-2003
BRAZEWAY, Inc., Adrian, Michigan
A $100M manufacturer of aluminum tubing and heat exchangers for
refrigeration.
Vice
President – Refrigeration Engineering
Managed the Refrigeration business unit engineering department. This
included product research, design and development, manufacturing
engineering, fabrication engineering, engineering laboratory, sample
shop and all engineering records and support functions. Developed the
engineering organization into a self-directed, procedure driven,
project oriented team with greatly increased resource capabilities,
including both people and facilities.
- Initiated Six Sigma at Brazeway resulting in $2M
savings in the first two years. Trained as Six Sigma Executive,
Champion and certified Green Belt.
- Focused engineering Six Sigma effort on Design for
Six Sigma (DFSS) utilizing Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Design
of Experiments (DOE).
- Developed a new welding process using Design for Six
Sigma tools and techniques with a production defect rate less than 50
ppm for a direct annual cost savings of $1M. This offers realistic
elimination of leak testing and an additional $2M cost savings
potential.
- Completed engineering material and quality cost
reduction projects resulting in $1M annual cost savings.
- Developed new web based system to find and display
engineering drawings to any authorized person in the company, greatly
improving communication and reducing errors.
- Developed new web based engineering change management
system improving communication, eliminating errors and reducing average
approval time from 31 to 11days. This system was adopted for electronic
document approval throughout the company.
- Developed new web based product cost estimate system
reducing average completion time from 40 days to 15 days.
- Implemented new project management system
incorporating stage/gate processes to better communicate, manage and
ensure strategy alignment of all engineering projects. All projects
completed under budget and on schedule.
1996-1999
TECUMSEH PRODUCTS CO., Tecumseh, Michigan
A $1.5 billion international manufacturer of compressors, small engines
and pumps.
Vice
President – Refrigeration Engineering – North
American Compressor Group
Responsible for entire refrigerant compressor product engineering
department of 120 people with an annual budget of $15M. This included
design engineering, engineering records, test laboratory, engineering
tool room, model shop and sample shop.
- Implemented accelerated life test techniques, greatly
improving product reliability and durability while reducing product
development time.
- Selected and implemented computer aided engineering
tools including Computer Aided Design (CAD), Product Data Management
(PDM) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Implementation of these tools
improved team communication, product quality and reduced product
development time.
1975-1996
TRANE CO (Division of American Standard)
A $4.7 billion manufacturer of heating and cooling systems.
1990-1996
Manager – Scroll Compress Engineering, Tyler, Texas
- Managed a concurrent engineering team developing a
new residential scroll refrigerant compressor. Responsible for
developing the compressor design, manufacturing processes and
production implementation of those processes.
- Developed basic scroll compressor technology
resulting in extensive patent portfolio used as an asset in forming a
joint venture partnership with a major competitor.
1986-1990
Manager – Scroll Compressor, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Managed the scroll compressor development engineering department.
- Designed and developed the world’s first
commercial scroll refrigerant compressor. Supported production
implementation, meeting all development goals and expectations.
Compressor design was in profitable production for over ten years
allowing Trane Company to increase market share and margin on products
utilizing this technology.
1975-1986
Development Engineer, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Successfully served as development engineer and test engineer prior to
managerial promotion.
EDUCATION
1975
BS, Mechanical Engineering (With Distinction)
The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
-
Product and Technology
Strategy
-
Six Sigma
-
Design for Six Sigma
-
Design for Assembly
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Design for
Manufacturability
-
Team Directed Workforce
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Team Coach
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Process Owner
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Team Leadership
-
Flow Manufacturing
-
Quality Management
-
Theory of Constraints
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Engineers
- Former Chairman – Technical Committee
8.1 – Positive Displacement Compressors
- Member - Technical Committee 8.4 -
Air-to-Refrigerant Heat Transfer Equipment
- Member - Technical Committee 8.9 - Residential
Refrigerators and Food Freezers
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