Matthew Cowan
NORTH VERNON
Summary
Accomplished Electromechanical Technician with expertise in preventive maintenance, project management, and team leadership, driving efficiency and reliability in complex systems.
Detail-oriented technician known for strong problem-solving and communication skills. Successfully led cross-functional teams in troubleshooting and resolving mechanical issues, significantly improving equipment performance and reliability.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Electromechanical Technician
Hilex Poly Co LLC
North Vernon, IN
04.2009 - Current
- 2012 I was approached to take the night shift Lead position when they promoted the Night lead to Maintenance supervisor. I Declined the Position due to the crazy schedule as I was a single father. They come back with making me the senior lead and putting my partner on C-Crew as a lead, which then, I accepted
- 2017 I was promoted to Electronics Technician
- I Have been the SME for the plant for over a decade. I Have head up projects and/or consulted on most that have been installed in the plant.
- I have been a leader to the maintenance department keeping them focused and on task
- Diagnosed and repaired electronic systems, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
- Oversaw maintenance operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
- Developed preventive maintenance programs to enhance equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
- Led cross-functional teams in troubleshooting and resolving complex mechanical issues efficiently.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives through effective resource allocation and process optimization.
- Trained and mentored junior technicians, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Evaluated vendor performance, negotiating contracts to secure favorable terms for maintenance services.
- Supervised employee performance, preventive maintenance, and safety.
- Optimized spare parts inventory management by identifying critical items and setting appropriate stock levels based on usage patterns.
- Improved equipment reliability by implementing a preventive maintenance program and managing repair schedules.
- Collaborated with other department managers to coordinate maintenance activities around production schedules, minimizing operational interruptions.
- Increased overall equipment efficiency by conducting thorough assessments of machinery conditions and implementing necessary improvements.
- Led the successful completion of major facility upgrades projects while adhering to budget constraints and timelines.
- Scheduled regular inspections of equipment and facilities to manage wear and tear.
- Reduced downtime by efficiently overseeing the maintenance team and prioritizing tasks according to urgency.
- Trained maintenance technicians to apply proper techniques and best practices and comply with safety protocols.
- Conducted root cause analysis of recurring issues, devising long-term solutions that minimized future disruptions.
- Monitored priorities and liaised between maintenance team and management, delegating tasks to complete on time.
- Delegated tasks to carefully selected employees in alignment with resource management goals.
- Mentored new hires in company procedures, safety protocols, and technical skills necessary for their roles as maintenance professionals.
- Conducted routine maintenance on equipment, enhancing longevity and functionality.
- Managed inventory of electronic components, ensuring availability for repairs and projects.
- Led cross-functional teams in resolving complex technical challenges efficiently.
- Supported team members, sharing technical knowledge to improve overall departmental expertise in electronic systems technology.
- Achieved cost savings through effective sourcing of components for repair and replacement tasks.
- Analyzed equipment performance data to identify trends and recommend process optimizations for increased productivity.
- Coordinated installation of new electromechanical systems, ensuring compliance with safety standards and specifications.
- Implemented quality control procedures that improved product output consistency and reduced defects in production processes.
- Led cross-functional teams in root cause analysis to resolve complex technical issues effectively and efficiently.
- Observed equipment functioning to detect electronic and mechanical hazards or problems for service, repair or replacement.
- Reduced machinery downtime with thorough preventive maintenance plans and timely repairs.
- Installed and modified equipment to minimize material waste, facilitate future maintenance and avoid hazardous and unreliable equipment performance.
- Investigated electrical malfunctions with ammeter, multimeter and temperature probe test instruments to determine problems and apply solutions.
- Repaired, maintained and installed motors, drives and wiring devices.
- Maintained neat and clean work area to eliminate hazards.
- Provided technical support to team members, sharing knowledge of electromechanical systems operation and maintenance best practices.
- Enhanced production uptime by quickly diagnosing and repairing malfunctions in electromechanical equipment.
- Maintained accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs performed, and parts replaced for traceability purposes.
- Identified and specified required parts to repair and rebuild manufacturing equipment.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to implement design modifications for improved system functionality.
- Coordinated with suppliers to procure necessary parts or services for timely completion of repair projects without compromising quality standards.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process enhancements within the electromechanical domain.
- Liaised with staff to discuss equipment performance issues and formulate improvement ideas.
- Actively participated in cross-functional team meetings to understand project requirements and provide input from an electromechanical standpoint.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations during installation, maintenance, and repair of electromechanical equipment.
- Assisted in the development of standard operating procedures for the safe handling of electromechanical components and systems.
- Fixed, serviced and mounted pumps, gearboxes and piping systems.
- Fabricated fixtures, stands and covers and assembled components from sketches and drawings.
- Increased overall system reliability by conducting root cause analysis on recurring issues and implementing corrective actions.
- Kept up-to-date with industry trends and technological advancements in the electromechanical field, ensuring our facility remained competitive in terms of efficiency and performance.
- Contributed to project success by participating in design reviews, offering insights from a technician''s perspective.
- Developed strong working relationships with vendors to facilitate prompt resolution of warranty claims or other product-related concerns relevant to electromechanical devices used at our facility.
- Conducted training sessions for junior technicians on proper techniques for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing various types of electromechanical equipment.
- Welded structural type steel, aluminum, stainless steel and pipe materials using tig, mig and stick welding techniques.
- Proposed layout and location modifications and installations in compliance with OEM, OSHA, NEC and company and local codes.
- Facilitated seamless equipment upgrades by developing transition plans for decommissioning old systems and integrating new ones into existing operations.
- Improved equipment efficiency by performing regular maintenance and troubleshooting on electromechanical systems.
- Optimized equipment performance through calibration of sensors, controllers, and actuators as needed.
- Tested performance of electromechanical assemblies using oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, and bridges.
- Assembled and disassembled complex mechanical systems to make repairs or augmentations and troubleshoot malfunctions.
- Provided technical support to colleagues regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing or drafting.
- Brought systems in line with operational specifications with calibration, rework or repair.
- Prepared load calculations and chose equipment and configurations that best served project needs.
- Completed skilled soldering, corrections and wiring tasks to produce high-quality work.
- Tested electromechanical assembly performance using oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters or bridges.
- Researched customer design proposals and requests to evaluate feasibility, cost and maintenance requirements of designs.
- Read blueprints, schematics or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
- Managed continuous improvement projects.
- Trained on-site operators in installation, use and maintenance of new systems
- Conducted routine maintenance and troubleshooting on electromechanical systems to ensure operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to implement system upgrades and improvements, enhancing performance reliability.
- Supervised a team of technicians, providing training on advanced troubleshooting techniques and safety protocols.
- Developed preventive maintenance schedules, reducing equipment downtime and extending lifespan of machinery.
Plant Manager
AMES Company
North Vernon, IN
01.2000 - 08.2008
- By May of 2001 I was assigned to Take the west/South west facilities and assessing their needs. wether it was a full Plant redesign and Equipment design and fabrication or Talent over haul and in one case it was both.
- Designed a high volume plant that was built in 2008 and is still the flagship today
- implemented the same policies in other plants as my own with variations due to local culture and plant material production
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced production efficiency and reduced waste.
- Developed and managed production schedules to meet customer demand and optimize resources.
- Mentored team leaders to foster a culture of continuous improvement and skill development.
- Led initiatives that improved equipment reliability, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
- Analyzed operational data to identify trends, driving informed strategic decisions for production optimization.
- Established performance metrics to monitor operational effectiveness and drive accountability across teams.
- Increased production efficiency by optimizing plant layout and implementing process improvements.
- Reduced costs by eliminating materials waste and unnecessary labor hours.
- Directed employees and related programs to maximize team productivity and facility output.
- Boosted employee morale and productivity through effective leadership and motivational techniques.
- Monitored and evaluated plant performance to identify areas for improvement and take corrective measures.
- Led, trained and coached plant staff to facilitate high levels of productivity and quality.
- Maximized plant safety through proactive strategies and well-structured training. We went 7 yrs 3 months with out an LTA
- Created plant policies and procedures for safe and productive operations.
- Forecasted future production needs accurately, allowing for strategic decision-making regarding staffing levels, equipment investments, and inventory management.
- Managed direction and planning for plant with focus on optimization of daily functions, exceeding customer expectations, and achieving KPIs.
- Implemented useful inventory management and tracking systems to reduce costs and improve operations.
- Reduced downtime for maintenance by establishing a proactive preventive maintenance program.
- Conducted thorough root cause analyses on production issues, identifying solutions for continuous improvement efforts.
- Coordinated plant expansions and upgrades to accommodate increased demand while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers, securing cost savings on raw materials without sacrificing quality.
- designed new machinery, resulting in increased production capacity.
- Developed training programs to upskill workforce and improve productivity.
- Negotiated with vendors for timely delivery of raw materials, preventing production delays.
- Boosted team morale and efficiency through leadership and development initiatives.
- Enhanced plant productivity by streamlining operational processes.
- Reduced downtime with proactive maintenance schedules.
- Established metrics to measure performance and drive continuous improvement.
- Managed budget effectively, ensuring optimal use of resources.
- Fostered culture of safety, significantly reducing workplace accidents.
- Evaluated employee performance and provided feedback and training as needed.
- Created and oversaw production schedules and adjusted as needed to meet deadlines.
- Oversaw routine maintenance programs and scheduled service to keep equipment functioning at peak levels.
- Scrutinized production output and identified areas for improvement.
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Ames Company
Unadilla, NY
06.1994 - 01.2000
- April of 1995 was promoted to Production supervisor still maintaining Maintenance duties
- Aug 1995 promoted to Assistant Plant Manager Taking over the duties of our plant as The Plant Manager was promoted to District Plant Manager
- May of 1996 I started being sent to the Northern Plants assessing and implementing plans to increase Safety, Production efficiencies and lower Scrap percentage. Which included Purchasing/design and fabrication of Equipment and evaluating talent from Plant Manager to hourly employees.
- Diagnosed and repaired mechanical systems to ensure optimal operation and reduce downtime.
- Conducted routine inspections of machinery and equipment for safety compliance and performance efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members to implement preventive maintenance schedules, enhancing overall productivity.
- Trained junior technicians on equipment handling and safety protocols, fostering a culture of safety awareness.
- Oversaw maintenance projects, coordinating resources and timelines to meet operational goals effectively.
- Analyzed system performance data to identify areas for improvement, driving process enhancements across operations.
- Diagnosed, repaired and replaced faulty electrical, electronic and mechanical components to maintain plant safety.
- Performed welding tasks as needed for equipment repair or fabrication projects, adhering to strict safety guidelines.
- Maintained accurate documentation of machine service histories, facilitating better decision-making for future repairs or replacements.
- Dismantled electrical machinery to replace faulty switches and electrical and mechanical system elements.
- Enhanced equipment efficiency by performing routine maintenance and troubleshooting tasks.
- Reduced machine downtime by conducting regular inspections and identifying potential issues.
- Conducted thorough diagnostic tests to identify root causes of malfunctions, enabling effective solutions.
- Troubleshot programs and maintained programmable logic controllers.
- Improved production output with timely repairs and adjustments to machinery.
- Implemented preventative maintenance programs that minimized unexpected breakdowns and prolonged equipment life span.
- Analyzed blueprints and manufacturer instructions to take apart and reassemble machinery for maintenance and component replacements.
- Read and interpreted schematics, diagrams and blueprints to follow specifications in maintaining industrial machinery.
Education
High School Diploma -
Unatego Jr Sr High
Otego, NYSkills
- Hydraulic systems
- Preventive Maintenance
- Project management
- Equipment troubleshooting
- Maintenance planning
- Work order management
- Predictive maintenance
- Staff management
- Grounds maintenance
- Team leadership
- Electrical systems
- Inventory monitoring
- Vendor relationship management
- System testing
- Equipment inspection
- Electromechanical repair
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Motor drives
- Mechanical assembly
- Power distribution
- Electrical wiring
- Variable frequency drives
- Machine alignment
- Schematic reading
- Pneumatic systems
- Equipment calibration
- Industrial networking
- Sensor technology
- Schematic interpretation
- Control systems
- CAD software
- Instrumentation
- Automation systems
- Machinery repair
- Electrical circuitry repair
- PLC programming
- Machine installation
- Repair documentation
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Troubleshooting skills
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Electrical schematics
- Fabrication skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Decision-making
- Industrial safety
- Safety procedures
- Time management abilities
Accomplishments
Redesigned and streamlined numerous plants at Ames and Ames/True Temper, encompassing complete plant revamps, repurposing existing assets, and designing/building specialized equipment. This included training employees on changes and, in some cases, staff reductions, including plant managers.
Timeline
Electromechanical Technician
Hilex Poly Co LLC
04.2009 - Current
Plant Manager
AMES Company
01.2000 - 08.2008
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Ames Company
06.1994 - 01.2000
High School Diploma -
Unatego Jr Sr High