In this keynote session at the 2009 IW Best Plants Conference, learn from Eddie Wilkinson how to drive breakthrough levels of quality and productivity while developing a culture focused on product safety and reliability. Wilkinson, a certified lean manufacturing expert and Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems' Vice President of Quality and Product Safety, shares his proven continuous improvement strategies for attaining operational excellence. He discusses how to increase your operation's competitive edge by implementing ongoing employee development and educational programming, increasing community support activities and ongoing facility investment.
In This Presentation You Will Learn
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The 4 Ps (in minute 14)
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What the key drivers are for business (in minute 15)
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People development and linkage (in minute 22)
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Product design and quality (in minute 35)
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Process and system improvements (in minute 40)
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Product improvements (in minute 42)
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Wilkinson's challenge to you (in minute 51)
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and more
About the Speaker
Eddie Wilkinson, vice president of quality and product safety, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
Eddie Wilkinson is vice president of quality and product safety at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, where he is also a member of the Bendix Leadership Committee. As vice president of quality and product safety, Wilkinson is charged with leading quality assurance and product safety performance, as well as a company-wide focus on product reliability.
Prior to his current position, Wilkinson, served as operations director at Bendix. In that position he was responsible for manufacturing and operations for all North American facilities. A Bendix veteran with more than a decade of company service, Wilkinson also served over seven years in progressive plant management positions at the Bendix manufacturing campus in Acuña, Mexico. In 2002 he was named Mexico country manager for the company. Under his leadership, the company's Mexican operations experienced outstanding business growth -- as well as ongoing expansion, specifically in OE manufacturing -- through improved, ongoing employee development and educational programming, increased community support activities and continued investment in the facility. One of Wilkinson's career highlights includes hosting then-president of Mexico Vicente Fox and other dignitaries to discuss manufacturing in Mexico and China competition.
Wilkinson is a certified lean manufacturing expert, a distinction earned from experience gained during his years at AlliedSignal and Honeywell Aerospace. He leveraged that training and experience to lead the Bendix Global Truck Production Systems, establishing a foundation for long-term production excellence.
Wilkinson holds a bachelor's in business administration from Clayton State University in Atlanta and a master's of business administration degree from DeSales University in Allentown, Pa. He has earned several professional certifications in quality, leadership, and management.
