Wilhelm K. - Freelance LEAN Expert

Go to Website

Munich, Germany

Experience

Nov 2016 - Mar 2020

3 years 5 months

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Freelance LEAN Expert

Science Management International Corporation B.V.

SMCI project manager for implementing a LEAN production system at a food manufacturer in Germany and the Netherlands.
Evaluated and analyzed the current situation in four plants.
Advised the steering committee, developed a LEAN roadmap with recommended activities, reported to the COO.
Designed and ran a training program for 300 LEAN experts and coaches in Germany and the Netherlands.
Delivered many shop floor improvements; saw a clear boost in motivation and commitment of individual employees through hands-on involvement in Lean roll-out.
Reduced setup times and increased flexibility for smaller batch sizes through SMED workshops with cross-functional teams.
Handed the project over to a LEAN program manager.
Launched a LEAN Office in the lab, quality management, product development, marketing, procurement, controlling, HR and IT.

Nov 2014 - Sep 2022

7 years 11 months

Unterföhring, Germany

Founder and Partner

Change-experts.com

Co-founded Change-experts (CE) as a network of experienced experts for joint SME projects.
Organized CE partner meetings, joint marketing activities, website, Dropbox and ZOOM meetings.
Successfully won new CE projects.
CE project manager for introducing a process-oriented organization, improving critical business processes, developing a new product creation process, and realigning sales at a 110-year-old family-owned company.
Delivered methodological skills training for over 350 executives, key players and project teams at various clients with CE partners.
Trained change management coaches and methodology experts.
Implemented a training and coaching program at an engineering service provider to improve collaboration with client teams during product development, together with a CE partner.

Jul 2002 - Sep 2022

20 years 3 months

Munich, Germany

Consultant

Wilhelm Kummer Consulting

Since 2002, I have helped clients in industry and services with “help for self-help” to boost performance through their own managers and employees.
Designed Business Process Management, Operational Excellence, Lean Production, Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma programs in close coordination with the board, CEO, COO, senior management and program managers.
Developed interactive method training with case studies, LEGO simulations, GEMBA walks, experience-based learning, process Monopoly, group work, team-building events and feedback.
Trained over 5,000 people in modern improvement methods, effective meetings, teamwork, change management, soft and leadership skills.
Coached more than 250 teams in applying improvement methods and tools effectively and creatively.
Ensured sustainable method adoption by training internal trainers, experts and change coaches.
Delivered open training for CIP experts, process managers and in-house Six Sigma Green Belt at Integrata Cegos and Vorest AG.
Successfully rolled out business process management at a top 10 automotive supplier.
Developed and implemented a production system across 13 plants in Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and the UK at a leading doors and garage doors company.
Created new product development and industrialization processes with internal expert teams at client sites.
Reorganized two factories and preserved jobs at a rail technology manufacturer in close cooperation with the interim managing director.
Achieved multi-million euro cost savings and quality improvements in high-tech areas through tailor-made Six Sigma programs for automotive suppliers.

Mar 1999 - Jun 2002

3 years 4 months

Munich, Germany

Senior Consultant & Trainer

SHS Business Consultants

Led an EFQM self-assessment board project across over 50 branches of a leading German logistics group.
Ran a Rapid Product Defect Elimination board project for an electronics manufacturer.
Delivered leadership training for middle managers and junior managers at various DAX companies.

Jan 1997 - Feb 1999

2 years 2 months

Remscheid, Germany

Excellence Master Trainer

Joh. Vaillant GmbH & Co.

Delivered 3- and 5-day courses on the full Vaillant Excellence Process methods.
Mentored participants in applying their new knowledge during their first implementation.
Ran excellence training for managers in subsidiaries in Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the UK.
Recruited, trained and developed the next generation of excellence trainers for Germany and European subsidiaries in collaboration with SHS Business Consultants.
Managed training projects for all industrial staff at the main Remscheid plant.
Designed and implemented benchmarking training.

Jun 1995 - Dec 1996

1 year 7 months

Remscheid, Germany

Purchasing IT and Services

Joh. Vaillant GmbH & Co.

Generated multi-million euro savings by bundling requirements, standardizing hardware and software, streamlining the purchasing process, setting up system suppliers and negotiating framework and development contracts.

Jan 1989 - Mar 1990

1 year 3 months

Nörvenich, Germany