Michael Swanson

VP of Operations & Engineering at Armacell

Purcellville, Virginia, United States

About

Director of Operations *Logistics *Production *Sales *Engineer Leadership experience in formulating manufacturing strategy, policy and procedures. Skilled at developing and executing targeted business initiatives that drive top line sales, exceed company objectives, and increase bottom-line profits. Accomplished at sales and production strategy, product and market development, personnel management and analytical problem solving. Proven track record in driving results through process optimization, coaching and motivational management. Areas of expertise include: • S&OP strategy development • Manufacturing & Production Management • Lean Manufacturing Practitioner • OSHA Process Safety Management • Budget development & management reporting • Quality System Development – ISO9001 • Process Control Design & Optimization • Product development and marketing • Technical Sales management • Operational strategies development

Experience

  • Armacell (Remote)
    • Vice President of Operations & Engineering
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • General Manager
      Dec 2019 - Jan 2026 · 6 yrs 2 mos

    • National Sales Manager
      Oct 2016 - Dec 2019 · 3 yrs 3 mos

  • Toray Plastics America (11 yrs 9 mos)
    • Director of Production
      Nov 2010 - Dec 2013 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Led and managed a team of 59 associates in manufacturing, production scheduling, shipping and receiving departments for a $40MM polyolefin foam manufacturer supplying automotive, industrial, and flooring Industries. • Achieved Toray’s “Turn Around Award” and “President’s Award” for leading $700K in profit recovery in 2011. • Reduced production costs by 17% by leading the selection and installation of direct feed, twin screw extrusion technology and inspection vision systems to ensure product uniformity and annual savings of $1.2 MM. • Led reduction in force program while maintaining production efficiencies and yield performance. • Utilized Lean manufacturing practices to set company production records of 80% yield for 9 consecutive months.

    • Production Manager
      Jan 2008 - Nov 2010 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Led daily operations of rotating shift facility including budget development, hiring and training, equipment maintenance, production scheduling, safety, environmental, and continuous improvement program. • Established management program to increase equipment uptime via Preventative Maintenance scheduling. • Lowered OSHA rate from 4.6 to 0.8 by implementing behavior based safety programs. • Initiated cost reduction program which increased uptime from 85% to 95% and increased production output by 17% (Toray record) and annual savings of $1.32 MM. • Implemented “Zero Landfill” operations and internal recycling program resulting in $350K in annual savings. • Led Process Control & Measurement group by initiating use of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma fundamentals to improve production yield by 7.4% (another Toray record) while obtaining annual savings of $930K.

    • Sales Manager - North America Industrial Market
      Oct 2003 - Jan 2008 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Developed distribution channel and OEM market strategy for the Flooring and Industrial markets. • Led the product marketing initiatives including branding, POP, advertising, tradeshows, pull through marketing. • Established a sales channel into the flooring market and grew it in excess of $8MM annually in under four years. • Designed and introduced product that increased asset productivity, lowered quality complaints, and increased performance at end user while lowering costs by $1.3 MM annually. • Designed and introduced a product line that achieved the highest gross margin in the company’s history.

  • Group Leader at Madico
    Apr 2000 - Apr 2002 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Managed and developed process engineers and process technicians in the daily production, troubleshooting and process improvement project priority on a $40 MM production line. • Increased productivity 10% by implementing production monitoring system for an annual savings of $325K. • Developed a Kanban system for chemical storage that improved measurement accuracy, consistency and safety. • Optimized equipment setup methods to reduce changeover downtime by 26% for annual savings of $175K. • Using statistical tools and techniques, ensured that the production processes that directly affect quality are planned, identified, and carried out under controlled conditions • Implemented a visual factory program that reduced inventory waste and scheduling errors

  • Senior Process Engineer at Toray Plastics America
    Dec 1997 - Apr 2000 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    • Reduced manufacturing cost by eliminating surface defects while utilizing Lean Manufacturing Techniques to yield annual savings of $210K. • Stabilized process controls and set company production record in OPP while surpassing 3.3M lbs/mo. • Developed and implemented a training program for new process engineers and operators. • Optimized process conditions to run 25% faster while increasing useable web width by 9% for annual savings of $3.2 MM. • Established standardized process conditions to optimize new OPP extrusion film line resulting in a 8% increase in uprate for annual savings of $800K. • Formally documented Technical Department procedures to achieve ISO 9001 certification.

  • Pouring Manager at Carpenter Co.
    Jun 1996 - Dec 1997 · 1 yr 7 mos

    • Managed eight-person team in the manufacturing of $1M/wk of polyurethane foam • Responsible for troubleshooting foaming process from chemical blending through formation and slitting • Operated and maintained chemical blending recipes to meet customer specifications • Evaluated and maintained all process equipment including: heat exchangers, pumps, motors and drives, temperatures and flow controllers, valves and storage tanks • Implemented flat topping system on the production line resulting in a 2% increase in production yield and net cost savings of $20,000/wk. This flat topping system has been adopted by pouring plants nationwide.