Bio

Project Experience

Mr. Eckard has been responsible for projects that have ranged from optimizing the traffic flow of a vehicular network, throughput of an existing production/assembly line, the complete design of a new facility & the complete design and implementation of a global supply chain planning system. In each project, the focus is to maximize the customers’ profitability. Mr. Eckard has extensive experience in the development of optimization software products, process improvement analysis & recommendations using computer simulation models & management consulting services to manage all aspects of the supply chain, vehicular traffic flow, production & assembly, inventory management, distribution (including ship, truck & rail), & order fulfillment. As a result of his efforts, Mr. Eckard has been responsible for generating the following benefits to client companies:

• Successfully designed & implemented a vehicular congestion modeling system for Toyota & NUMMI
• Successfully designed & implemented an integrated Global Supply Chain Planning System which included working with C-Level management, sales, finance, logistics, production planning and scheduling, IT & order fulfillment.
• Generated in excess of $2 million in annual savings by developing a lean production strategy for Visteon. The project included working with union production personnel & senior management to determine more cost effective methods to produce Instrument Cluster subassemblies.
• Successfully increased throughput by 100% by developing & implementing a lean production strategy for a division of Kimball International without any capital investment.
• Successfully increased the daily throughput capability from 5600 units to 10000 units without any additional capital investments by implementing a lean production & scheduling strategy for TRW’s electronic manufacturing operations.
• Eliminated in excess of $2 million in equipment costs for Daimler-Chrysler’s differential case production system
• Successfully developed, implemented & established global partners for the Flexible Manufacturing Simulation System sold to Caterpillar, Cessna, Boeing, MPC, Magna Corp., ThyssenKrupp (Rotek Inc.) & Mazak Corp.

Experience Summary

Mr. Eckard has been dedicated full time as a simulation consultant since 1993. He has become recognized as an expert in the development of vehicular congestion traffic modeling including rail/truck freight optimization, manufacturing planning, capacity & scheduling optimization tools. His professional career spans the last 30 years during which most of his time has been spent in optimizing manufacturing/assembly/packaging processes & implementing manufacturing planning & optimization systems.

He has extensive knowledge & experience in the major manufacturing planning & simulation programming environments. His assignments have required the application of these technologies to a variety of industries such as automotive, aerospace, textiles, consumer products, electronics mfg., agriculture equipment mfg. & transportation. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Mr. Eckard spent the previous 16 years in industry with General Electric, The Long Island Railroad, International TechneGroup Inc. & Integrated Technologies Engineering. During his tenure with these companies, Mr. Eckard was responsible for the project management effort to design a $50 million Manufacturing System for PPG Industries, a similar management effort to design an $18 million system for Ford Motor Company & responsible for design, development & implementation of a $12 million integrated material handling system for a new maintenance facility to support the transit operations.

Mr. Eckard is a highly accomplished professional equipped with expertise, knowledge & successful track record for helping companies achieve significant operational efficiency. He’s an exceptional problem solver, driven to succeed with a passion for challenge & commitment to enhancing cost effectiveness while exceeding client company objectives.