EDWARD G. BLANCHARD
*** ****** ***** • Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335
Phone 610-***-**** • ***************@*****.*** Cell 484-***-****
Operations/Technical Manager & Ceramic Engineer
Accomplished design/sales engineer and strategist, with more than 20 years of experience maximizing productivity and profitability for a wide range of industrial manufacturing organizations. Skillfully expedite technically complex projects from conception to completion, with proven results in operational startup, improvement, and expansion initiatives. Effective and personable communicator, with demonstrated success in building positive relationships with customers, employees, and management. Proficient in AutoCAD Lite. Professional strengths include:
Sales & Marketing Operations Management • Large-Scale Project Management • Technical Design & Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership • Production Management • Business Development • New Product Launches Negotiations • Customer Relationship Management • Vendor Management • Technical Troubleshooting
Executive Presentations • Strategic Market Planning • Continuous Process Improvement
Published Author • National & Global Business Experience
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
POWERLINE INC., Downingtown, PA • 2009 - Present
Manufacturer’s representative for industrial power transmission equipment (Renold) and industrial knives (Kinetic).
INVESTIGATED SEVERAL WORK AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES DURING LAYOFF
CERAMIC SERVICES, INC., Bensalem, Pennsylvania • 2004-2008
Heat processing equipment (e.g. industrial kilns and dryers) manufacturer primarily serving ceramic industry.
Operations / Technical Manager
Managed design and drafting of all new equipment orders. Interfaced with potential customers regarding technical specifications required, contracting sub-suppliers, and materials. Oversaw assembly, on-site installation, and startup of new equipment. Handled customer problems, technical issues, and troubleshooting.
• Increased sales by 25% by taking on more technically challenging projects.
• Improved production flexibility and reduced fuel usage by 10%; also boosted fuel efficiency of existing rotary kiln by ~8% by improving insulation and upgrading burner system.
• Introduced AutoCAD Lite into operation, improving drafting efficiency by 75%.
LOOMIS PRODUCTS COMPANY, Levittown, Pennsylvania • 2002-2004
Manufacturer of piston extruders and cold isostatic presses for ceramic and powder metal industries with 25 employees and $1.5M in sales.
Sales Manager
Managed all aspects of sales operations. Supervised 2 direct reports. Developed quotations, followed up on sales leads, generated leads, and traveled to potential jobsites.
• Boosted sales by 30% in first year despite limited funding for travel and marketing.
DORST AMERICA, INC., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania • 2000-2002
U.S. operation of Dorst Unlagenbau, a large designer and builder of industrial equipment (primarily compacting presses) in Germany.
Sales Engineer
Managed all sales of whiteware ceramic manufacturing equipment in North America with selected accounts in powder metal industry.
• Negotiated only equipment sale made in U.S. whiteware industry during economic downturn.
FLARE INDUSTRIES, INC., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania • 1997-2000
U.K.-based company; provider of refractory materials, decals, raw materials and equipment to ceramics industry.
Sales & Marketing Manager
Managed sales and marketing of consumable products (not equipment) of company in northern half of U.S. and Canada. Traveled extensively. Key player in startup of mold-making operation in Bethlehem facility to service pressure casting machine customers in North America for Elmeceram branch of Flare.
• Fueled sales by 10% each year during tenure.
• Launched 2 new product lines in North American market.
• Instrumental in success of new mold-making operation; simultaneously managed sales and marketing operations while co-supervising mold-making startup.
• Facilitated payment of all outstanding debts and $250K profit despite bankruptcy of U.K.-based parent company and closing of U.S. operation.
EARLY CAREER NOTES (full details on request)
UNIQUE-PERENY KILNS (division of HED INDUSTRIES), Ringoes, New Jersey / Sales Manager
NETZSCH INC. (later NHD CERAMIC SYSTEMS), Exton, Pennsylvania / Technical Sales Engineer
BICKLEY FURNACES, INC., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / Technical Sales Engineer
CARBORUNDUM COMPANY SPECIALTY REFRACTORIES, Keasbey, New Jersey
Process Engineer / Application Engineer
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration
Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Bachelor of Science, Ceramic Engineering
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, New York
PUBLICATIONS
Co-Author, “Pressure Casting in the Sanitaryware Industry,” Ceramic Industry (1994)
Author, “Pressure Casting Improves Productivity,” The American Ceramic Society Bulletin (1988)
Author, “Scientific Kiln Management,” The American Ceramic Society Bulletin (1982)
PRESENTATIONS
Presented 30+ papers on various topics to numerous professional organizations and associat