1. MICHAEL A. PITCHER
10650 Honda Hills • Thornville, Ohio 43076
mpitcher@excellence1.com • (740) 323.2611
SENIOR OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE
Strategic Planning • Process Improvement • Fiscal Controls
Highly accomplished and results-oriented business executive and supply chain expert with a strong history of devising
and implementing solutions that improve productivity, increase efficiency, cut costs, and align daily processes with
company goals and objectives. Adept at crafting fiscal strategies and long-term plans using basic and proprietary
financial models, extensive financial analysis, and identifying high-profit items. Possesses robust track record of
facilitating innovative adjustments to sales forecasting, business models, and asset management, with a focus on
reenergizing performance within declining markets. Delivers comprehensive strategic planning and fiscal management
that encompasses all functional and divisional aspects of organizations and reenergizes revenues.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Productivity Improvement • Asset Management • OSHA/EPA Compliance
• Best Practices • Operational Efficiency • Quality Control
• Industry Expertise • Financial Models • Six Sigma/Lean Processes
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE CONSULTING, INC. – Thornville, Ohio 1996–Present
Provider of practical, proven solutions that quickly achieve measurable bottom line results with clients in manufacturing service, health care,
government, and nonprofit industries. Areas of practice include: Strategic Planning, Operations Strategy, Market Offers.
President
Consult with organizations within various industries to examine current functions, develop innovative solutions to
reach targeted goals, and provide results-oriented recommendations based on a solid track record of excellence and
success. Evaluate asset configuration and market offerings to reenergize sales in a dull environment; encourage clients
to exercise project management methodologies to increase process efficiency.
Key Achievements:
Advised senior leadership and C-level executives on strategic planning for 10-year engagement with a
multi-state packaging company; grew company from $50M to $100M+ in revenues within a declining
industry.
Introduced customized operations model implementing redesigned planning strategies and operations
execution; resulted in 60% improvement in productivity within 90 days.
Identified high-profit products using PIPP model and tied incentives to these items to drive profitability;
executed a throughput velocity analysis to compare performance of different products and determine asset
utilization strategy.
Selected Engagements:
Accugenix: Piloted strategic planning, completed design, and implementation of new operating model
that cut internal cycle time for DNA lab with 100% boost in productivity and 25% improvement in
overall throughput.
Bowden Manufacturing: Reached 60% productivity improvements for custom machining firm in just 90
days with a custom operating model that leveraged current Lean implementation; developed market offer
based on Actively Synchronized Replenishment to support 15% annual sales growth for 5 straight years.
Midwesco Filter Resources: Formulated a combination model using Lean Six Sigma and Drum-Buffer-
Rope to achieve 300% increase in cage plant production over a 10-week period.
2. Miba Bearings US, LLC: Led 18-month project for slide bearing manufacturer to implement Lean,
Drum-Buffer-Rope, and Replenishment solution that generated record divisional profits and productivity
in 2010.
MICHAEL A. PITCHER
Page Two • mpitcher@excellence1.com • (740) 323.2611
CONSTRAINTS MANAGEMENT GROUP – Enumclaw, Washington 1998–2006
Niche consulting firm specializing in the application of Theory of Constraints to project, production, and supply chain management.
Partner
Provided operational enhancements and results-driven process improvements across manufacturing and project
management functions for mid-sized manufacturing clients whose annuals sales value between $100M to $1B. Directed
marketing efforts to grow branding and visibility. Coordinated with 4 Partners to execute all business operations and
managed up to 20 consultants; utilized results-oriented business strategy to reach $2.5M in sales in 7 years.
Selected Engagements:
LeTourneau Technologies: Utilized Critical Chain Project Management to double productivity of
shipyard operations to cut labor costs by $30M; integrated supply chain to secure 150% sales growth with
Drum-Buffer-Rope and Actively Synchronized Replenishment. Won Ptak award for supply chain
excellence.
Erickson Air-Crane: Designed and installed operating model based on Drum-Buffer-Rope and Critical
Chain Project Management to cut labor hours per build for helicopter manufacturing from 39K hours to
just 21K hours. Decreased aircraft turnaround time from 350 days to 200 days, leading to additional
contracts and company revenues.
Astro Manufacturing: Utilized Drum-Buffer-Rope and Sigmabin™ model based on Theory of
Constraints; enhanced sales by 700% over 14-month period while improving inventory turns from 6 to 12.
Received “Manufacturing Magic” Award from Magnet for stellar achievements.
FRANKLIN INTERNATIONAL – Columbus, Ohio 1993–1996
Global adhesives manufacturer for wood furniture, millwork, and lamination markets, as well as office products and food packaging.
Plant Manager/Turnaround Leader (1995–1996)
Implemented process changes and established standard operating procedures to reduce costs and expand revenues of
chemical processing and packaging division. Eliminated $900K worth of inventory. Reduced operating expenses by
8%. Increased throughput of flagship product more than 100% and reached 1st-year cash flow turnaround of $2.1M.
Production Manager (1993–1995)
Supervised chemical batch and continuous reactor operations and sales of $35M. Collaborated with team members to
install new reactor system and initialization of new ERP system. Created “pay-for-knowledge” program for personnel.
SENSORS & SWITCHES – Lexington, Ohio 1990–1993
Leading supplier, manufacturer, and designer of coil products, sensors, and pressure switches for automobiles, trucks, and off-highway vehicles.
Operations Manager
Turned around performance and productivity of electronics and electro-mechanical manufacturer to earn $12M in sales;
implemented multiple internal controls and reengineered processes to capture major changes within company
operations. Consolidated 3 plants and reduced headcount from 320 to just 165; shrunk annual overhead expenses by
$700K and scrap from 4.2% to 1.7%. Cut value of past-due orders form $1.1M to a low $50K; led startup of contract
manufacturing division to earn $500K+ in first-year sales. Achieved cash flow turnaround of $3.6M.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
GEORGIA-PACIFIC RESINS, INC. – Columbus, Ohio
3. Quality & Environmental Supervisor
Supervised SPC and SQC programs and maintained compliance with OSHA and EPA guidelines.
Led production scale-up and utilized analytical strategies to boost operations excellence.
4. MICHAEL A. PITCHER
Page Three • mpitcher@excellence1.com • (740) 323.2611
ANSELL EDMONT INDUSTRIAL, INC. – Coshocton, Ohio
Manager, Technical Services
Managed $1M+ department budget to direct product development, quality control, and process reengineering;
aligned all policies and procedures with EPA, OSHA, and FDA regulations, as well as obtained all RCRA, air,
and water permits.
Championed annual cost reductions of $450K by reformulating product lines and building an offshore facility.
Recognized with President’s Award for innovative process development.
COUNTRY CORNER WOODWORKING, LLC – Wilmot, Ohio
Partner
Built furniture manufacturing company from start-up to profitable within just 3 months.
Exceeded sales of $600K per year within 2 years, positioning the firm for successful sale in 2002.
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Master of Business Administration, Executive Management
Ashland University – Ashland, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
Oberlin College – Oberlin, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Certified Integrated Resource Management, American Production & Inventory Control Society
Certified “Implementer”, Theory of Constraints International Certification Organization
Certified “Jonah,” Avraham Y Goldratt Institute
PATENT
Composite core assembly for metal casting. U.S. Patent 4,922,991 May 8, 1990.
AFFILIATIONS
Theory of Constraints International Certification Organization (TOC-ICO), Member
American Product and Inventory Control Society, Member
Bowling Green Township Grant Writing and Comprehensive Planning Committees, Chair
Licking County Soil & Water Conservation District, Board Member
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Pitcher, Michael. "The Challenge of Overcoming Success." ASQ, March 2010,
Pitcher, Michael. “Profitable applications of value stream mapping,” Learn About Quality, Feb. 17, 2010.
Pitcher, Michael. “Accelerate Lean Six-Sigma in job shops,” Industry Week’s Inside Track, Feb. 10, 2010.
Pitcher, Michael. “How to combat push inventory systems,” Official Board Markets, Oct./Nov., 2006.
Pitcher, Michael. “Examining just-in-time and theory of constraints,” Lean Directions, Mar. 13, 2003.
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
MRP/ERP, Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, R+™, DBR+®, Concerto® Project Management Software