Manufacturing clients call on consultant Fritz Kucklick to help solve difficult and challenging obstacles facing them as their companies manufacture products for automotive OEM and other significant customers. Kucklick's work frequently includes hands-on and theoretical analysis of manufacturing equipment and facilities, tooling and operations, and training sessions for managers, engineers and factory employees. See below for a few examples:
An Indian startup truck manufacturing operation selected consultant Fritz Kucklick to assist with the launch of their green-field operation to manufacture steel rims and wheels for cars, trucks and agricultural vehicles. Vehicle wheels are complex stamped, formed and welded precision steel products. New and used presses, production and assembly lines, metalforming machinery and tooling had been acquired by the client from numerous sources worldwide, and installed into a new factory staffed with a newly hired, inexperienced workforce. Kucklick visited the Indian site and developed manufacturing processes, advised on critical plant infrastructure, trained engineers and maintenance personnel, developed key process parameters, reviewed machinery and tooling designs, and recommended improvements to top management, including the CEO and the managing director.
A Europe-based manufacturer of OEM agricultural and construction equipment wheels selected Fritz Kucklick of IMT Consulting to assist a European operation with the integration of a former privately held U.S. manufacturer following its acquisition. Kucklick's input included site visits to European and American facilities, interfacing with top management from both sides, assisting them to understand the cultural and language differences of the other, and also to manage and assist with technology transfer, metalforming machinery selection and operation, plant layout, tooling design and adjustment, workforce selection, and project management and operational training.
According to the project director from Denmark, "We feel that Mr. Kucklick's involvement has been instrumental to the success of the project, and improved the overall operation of the U.S. unit due to his collaborations with management, engineering, and manufacturing personnel."
A Detroit automotive OEM supplier of warm-forged metal products retained Fritz Kucklick of IMT Consulting to consult with management and engineering personnel to evaluate and recommend numerous improvements to procedures and equipment. Kucklick's work included inspection and engineering review of large mechanical forging transfer presses, forging tools and dies, transfer equipment, and designing modifications to some of the equipment and tooling. The outcome was to reduce scrap, reduce variations, improve productivity and allow the client to meet its obligations to automotive OEM customers.
According to the client's VP of Manufacturing, "Your work has been outstanding and of professional quality in all projects. Our company's return in investment in your services far exceeds the amounts spent. We will use your services in the future, and we would recommend your company to others who need to quickly, professionally, and efficiently improve their productivity."
For a Korean manufacturer's acquired automobile manufacturing plant in Poland, Fritz Kucklick of IMT Consulting analyzed manufacturing operations to determine ways to improve productivity in the client's steel wheel manufacturing unit, and to determine needs for new equipment for future model requirements. Kucklick visited the site and studied metalforming machinery, welding machinery, assembly lines and tooling specifications, engineering drawings, operational procedures, and technicians' proficiencies. He saved the client U.S. $10 million in capital investment by determining ways to utilize existing assets rather than replacement. He also trained a combined group of Korean and Polish engineers and managers in techniques and procedures to improve observed shortcomings that inhibited manufacturing efficiency. In addition, he introduced the Korean management to another international manufacturer to initiate discussions for a potential international strategic alliance.
Fritz Kucklick's manufacturing, management and engineering expertise are based on a mechanical engineering degree and skills developed during more than 25 years' hands-on ownership, top management, international sales, design engineering, field startup, troubleshooting & installation, and project management positions with automotive Tier One, machine tool and heavy machinery manufacturing companies in the U.S. and Europe.