RONALD A. MILLER
North Canton, OH 44720
Cell: 330/495-2607
Email: ***********@*****.***
CAREER SUMMARY
Engineering professional with extensive experience in product design, laboratory testing, thermoplastic and elastomer mixing and processing. Project management includes products manufactured in China and Korea. Experience with a wide variety of plastic and elastomeric materials and many ASTM and UL analytical and mechanical testing procedures. Documented track record of working with design teams to specify cost effective and efficient materials and designs. Proven ability to interface with all levels of the organization to develop innovative solutions to manufacturing and production problems. Experience in elastomer and plastic compounding to meet customer requirements.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
OMYA, INC – Cincinnati, Ohio 2014 – 2017
Worldwide manufacturer of calcium carbonate and chemical distributor.
Scientist
Provided support to our customers to solve processing problems and quality issues by analyzing materials and products using a variety of testing instruments and processing equipment according to ASTM and UL specifications. Investigated new treatments for calcium carbonate to enhance its effectiveness in polymeric materials.
Identified alternate grades from other plants for Latin America to alleviate a capacity issue.
Determined cell classification for customer’s pipe compounds.
Determined properties of compounds to help customers use more calcium carbonate to reduce cost.
GREENE, TWEED & CO – Kulpsville, Pennsylvania 2010 - 2013
Manufacturer of industrial elastomeric products for oilfield, aerospace, semiconductor and other industries. Specializes in aircraft composites and seals for severe service conditions.
Process Engineer
Develop products for customers involving elastomers especially bonding of elastomer material to thermoplastics. Implemented process improvements for mixing of elastomeric compounds. Improved molding of various plastic oilfield and aircraft parts.
Developed sealing system for semiconductor fabrication that generated $10 million in first year sales
Improved molding of speed sensor bracket for an aircraft engine.
Improved procedures for mixing several elastomer compounds that resulted in a reduction of rejected material by 70%.
SPARTECH CORPORATION – Donora, Pennsylvania 2007 2008
Leading producer of engineered plastic sheet, polymeric compounds and engineered products.
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Senior Development Engineer
Developed polymeric compounds to meet customer requirements. Tested materials according to ASTM standards.
Developed glass filled polypropylene for a pool filter generating $6 million in sales.
Developed flame retardant concentrate and nucleating agent concentrate that generated $4 million of business with the potential to grow to $20 million.
Developed non-halogenated flame retardant compounds of various polymers that met UL 94 V-0 requirements.
Developed mineral filled compound for siding that generated $4 million in sales.
LG ELECTRONICS – Lincolnshire, Illinois 2005 2007
Leading worldwide manufacturer of electronic and consumer products.
Engineering Manager – Vacuum Cleaners
Managed design and production of vacuum cleaners for customers. Worked with engineers in Korea and China to optimize performance and cost. Oversaw prototype builds for presentation to customers.
Directed development of new powered nozzle.
Directed development of new upright for The Hoover Company.
Implemented design improvements and cost reductions on three products that reduced warranty returns by 80%.
Implemented improvements on canister that reduced reject rate by 50%.
LITTLE TYKES – Hudson, Ohio 2004 – 2005
Leading manufacturer of molded toys for children.
Injection Molding Department Coordinator
Assigned hourly workers to work cells, monitored quality, made process adjustments as required, mounted and removed injection molds from machines.
Blowmolding Department Clerk
Tracked inventory of plastic materials, created production and scrap reports, input daily production schedules, prepared run documentation for each machine, updated documentation as needed.
THE HOOVER COMPANY, North Canton, Ohio 1984 – 2003
World’s leading manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and floor care appliances.
Senior Staff Engineer 1998 – 2003
Specified and implemented purchase of $350,000 of new instrumentation that improved laboratory capability and output (TGA, DSC, DMA, Rotational Rheometer)
Resolved belt drive problem using FMEA and DOE to find a solution.
Reduced cost of new vacuum cleaner by 5% by selection of lower cost thermoplastic materials and use of gas-assisted injection molding.
Saved $50,000 annually by changing to a lower cost additive for plastics.
Avoided capital expenditure of $160,000 by moving rubber belt production to outside vendor.
Staff Engineer 1992 – 1998
Received award for developing improved transparent thermoplastic material for injection molded water tanks on upright extractor.
Saved $10,000 per year by changing supplier for PVC stabilizer.
Researched and implemented new plastic materials that allowed production of injection molded rotating brushes for upright extractor, enabling production of the Steam Vac™.
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Senior Engineer 1987 – 1992
Developed procedures for Liquid Chromatography system for environmental testing.
Saved $20,000 and received two awards by eliminating a gluing operation and using different means of assembly for a handle grip.
Engineer I 1984 – 1987
Reduced product returns from 20% to 4% by developing new drive belt compound.
Saved $20,000 per year by changing rubber master batch testing methods.
LAUREN MANUFACTURING, New Philadelphia, Ohio 1983 – 1984
Custom Extrusion Company specializing in closed-cell sponge and dense polymer products.
Elastomer Chemist
Developed elastomer compounds, mixed trial batches and tested the materials according to ASTM standards.
Introduced series of silicone materials that expanded Lauren’s product line.
Reduced cost of material for garage door seal.
Developed non-black natural rubber material for seal applications.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
B. S., Polymer Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Green Belt in Six-sigma, Pro/Engineer and Solidworks training, Mold filling analysis training.
Several seminars on various aspects of polymer applications, characterization and testing.
LEADERSHIP / PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Board of Directors, Akron Section of Society of Plastic Engineers, 2001-2005
Awards Committee Chairman, 2002
Auction Committee Chairman, 2002-2005