Richard Igarashi
Gardena
Summary
Packaging engineer with success in improving operations through solutions focused on safety, quality, and efficiency. Purpose-driven in implementing line control best practices to improve line efficiency. Detail-oriented in developing metrics and tracking improvement program outcomes. 28 years experience in Bottle, Can, Keg packaging.
Overview
4
4
years of post-secondary education
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Zone Technical Expert - Electrical
Anheuser-Busch, InBev N.A.
St Louis
01.2024 - Current
- Provided technical support for packaging operations, focusing on controls, inspection, and coding to ensure operational integrity.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams in Zone Quality Assurance to enhance product quality through inspection standard improvements.
- Established equipment maintenance, troubleshooting standards, and training.
- Maintained relationships with key OEMs to coordinate vendor process support.
Continuous Improvement Manager
Anheuser-Busch, InBev N.A.
St Louis
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Led continuous improvement initiatives across production processes identified by equipment uptime and fault analysis for critical lines in NA.
- Conducted training sessions for team members and stakeholders to improve packaging skills and enhance operational efficiency.
- Analyzed process data to identify inefficiencies and implemented solutions with site technicians to drive improvements.
- Provided brewery support for problem resolution, new SKU development, startup assistance, and equipment commissioning.
- Collaborated on a task force for Stella Artois in the US to enhance line speed by 25% and decrease labor cost by 35%.
Improvement Task Force - LBO
Anheuser-Busch, InBev
St Louis
01.2016 - 07.2018
- One of 5 specialist in AB, North America to create line optimization standards for 12 US Breweries.
- Establish controls standards to eliminate efficiency loss. Included equipment speed control standards, linked equipment interlocks, conveyor control optimization for reduced pressures and streamlined process flow.
- Created standard documents for line auditing methods, training of brewery leaders in line control standards and theory.
Specialist, Line Balance Optimization
Anheuser-Busch, In-Bev Los Angeles Brewery
Van Nuys
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Conducted "line balance optimization" analysis of all packaging lines at the Los Angeles Brewery. Identified 120+ specific actions to improve line efficiency.
- Over two years, completed all actions including process modifications, controls upgrades.
- Led to average 7% to 8% efficiency gains on all bottle and can packaging lines.
- Responsible for building methods to sustain changes made through programming, process alarming, reporting of deviations from standards set.
- I
Maintenance Business Process Manager
Anheuser-Busch, In-Bev Los Angeles Brewery
Van Nuys
01.2009 - 12.2012
- Streamlined maintenance process workflows, enhancing operational efficiency through automated financial reporting of packaging maintenance costs.
- Routone analysis of maintenance business processes to identify areas for optimization and reduction of parts and labor costs
- Responsible for technician skill improvement program across all disciplines in packaging groups.
- Implementation of sonic and thermal predictive inspection routines. Reduced electrical panel component failure, 20% reduction of compressed air use, improved condensate recovery.
Process Engineer
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Los Angeles Brewery
Van Nuys
01.2005 - 12.2008
- Daily process support of production equipment troubleshooting and repair. Overhaul planning and execution of all assets on multiple can lines.
- Improve overhaul process by creating "modular" overhaul routines to be executed in shorter non-production periods.
- Modification of packaging equipment to reduce chronic downtime triggers.
- Enhanced technician skills to ensure effective equipment maintenance. to build standardized troubleshooting methods. Develop reaction plans to the most common equipment faults.
- Trained team in RCA and FMECA analysis methods to reduce failures and establish proactive maintenance approach.
Maintenance and Reliability Manager
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Los Angeles Brewery
Van Nuys
08.2000 - 12.2004
- Led multidisciplinary team in maintaining packaging equipment assets and coordinating facility and fleet maintenance.
- Coordinated daily maintenance planning and execution across multiple process work groups to improve workflow.
- Implementation of weekly maintenance metric reporting to verify proper planning and efficient execution leading to reduced "rework" of repairs.
- Streamlined preventative, predictive maintenance to reduce redundant inspection work. Reduced inspection labor by 30% by prioritizing proactive work.
Supervisor, Operations
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Los Angeles Brewery
Van Nuys
09.1997 - 07.2000
- Supervised daily operations on multiple production lines in a fast-paced brewery environment.
- Ensured compliance with safety and quality standards during production and maintenance processes.
- Trained and mentored team members and technicians on standardized operational and maintenance procedures to enhance team capability.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance workflow efficiency in packaging operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Materials Science And Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 07.1993 - 06.1997
Skills
- Process optimization through PI analysis
- PLC and Automation Control - 15yrs
- Process optimization
- Equipment reliability
- Maintenance Management
- Packaging Equipment Specialist
Timeline
Zone Technical Expert - Electrical
Anheuser-Busch, InBev N.A.
01.2024 - Current
Continuous Improvement Manager
Anheuser-Busch, InBev N.A.
01.2019 - 12.2023
Improvement Task Force - LBO
Anheuser-Busch, InBev
01.2016 - 07.2018
Specialist, Line Balance Optimization
Anheuser-Busch, In-Bev Los Angeles Brewery
01.2013 - 12.2015
Maintenance Business Process Manager
Anheuser-Busch, In-Bev Los Angeles Brewery
01.2009 - 12.2012
Process Engineer
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Los Angeles Brewery
01.2005 - 12.2008
Maintenance and Reliability Manager
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Los Angeles Brewery
08.2000 - 12.2004
Supervisor, Operations
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Los Angeles Brewery
09.1997 - 07.2000
Bachelor of Science - Materials Science And Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles
07.1993 - 06.1997