A Year of Record Growth and Profitability with Engineering Excellence

In 2023, my team reached unprecedented heights, making waves in Product derivatives, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE), R&D, cutting-edge technologies, customer engagement and trainings. This article is more than a recount of accomplishments; it's your guide to replicating our success. Explore key areas where we've excelled and find actionable insights on how you can mirror our achievements in your engineering endeavors.

At the outset of the year, we laid the foundation for our Engineering Function's vision, a guiding beacon that illuminated our path and influenced every step we took throughout the year.

Team vision:

"We pursue Engineering Excellence by prioritizing customer needs, leveraging cutting-edge technology and unleashing boundless human creativity to propel breakthrough business growth. We drive top-line growth through innovative solutions for NPD and complex mods as well as engaging directly with customers for commercialization. Our R&D initiatives pushes technology boundaries, while productivity initiatives boost the bottom line. Effective prioritization keeps us aligned with strategic objectives while collaborative culture supports associate well-being. We evolve and grow our Intellectual Capital (IC) through focused trainings and hands-on approach to problem solving."

1. Share gain with Product Derivatives/Mods:

• Achieved record-breaking Complex Mod Execution (Product Derivatives) Excellence in 2023 with 33 projects across 20 unique applications, 28 customers and 15 design modification types.
• Undertook 5 new Agency and compliance projects, positioning the organization for breakthrough growth.
• Emphasized innovation, speed to market, and versatility as key drivers of success.
• Played a pivotal role in driving substantial share gains across multiple sectors, including Industrial, Energy, Instrumentation and renewable energy sectors.
• Maintained a strategic approach to target specific sectors for significant market share expansion.

Tips to replicate our success:

• Prioritize innovation, versatility, and diversity in project investments.
• Focus on both simple and complex engineering project execution.
• Set clear strategic goals aligned with key sectors and industries.
• Emphasize speed to market and adaptability in project execution.
• Continuously monitor and adapt to market trends for sustained growth.

2: Cost Optimization: VAVE

• Achieved the second-highest year in Engineering Productivity in 2023 through value engineering efforts.
• Delivered substantial savings 23% year-over-year increase from 2022.
• Established a substantial funnel of potential savings totaling 5X of 2023’s savings, setting the stage for 2024 and beyond.
• Aspired to achieve another 30-35% in savings in the 2024 Operational Plan, emphasizing a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement

To replicate our success in value engineering:

• Prioritize continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives within your engineering processes.
• Set ambitious yet attainable savings targets for your upcoming operational plans.
• Introduce workshops and processes, such as Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE), to streamline ideation and innovation.
• Ensure alignment with established development elements for maximum efficiency and pursuit of excellence.

3: R & D - Pioneering Innovation:

• Attained significant milestones in Research and Development (R&D) across key areas, showcasing a commitment to innovation.
• Conducted rigorous competitor analysis and prototype development in Bluetooth technology, resulting in an enhanced microprocessor chip that improves power conservation.
• Undertook exhaustive testing to enhance range and battery life, setting industry standards in the process.
• Collaborated across global engineering teams in CAN technology, leading to the creation of a transducer capable of offering digital output for CAN protocols, including CAN J1939.
• Simultaneously, engaged in an initiative to adapt this technology for CANOpen in partnership with key OEMs in Germany, strengthening our international market presence.

Tips to replicate our success in R & D:

• Prioritize thorough competitor analysis to identify areas for improvement.
• Invest in prototype development to enhance the efficiency of key components.
• Rigorously test and refine products to set new industry standards.
• Foster collaborations and international partnerships to expand market reach and capabilities.

4: Advanced Engineering - Embracing Cutting-edge Technologies:

• In the realm of Advanced Engineering, we embarked on a pioneering journey to create a new category for our org by engaging in organic research.
• Our objective was to align our efforts with the latest technology trends relevant to our core technology, serving as a valuable source of innovation for our R&D pipeline.
• By proactively exploring and adapting cutting-edge technologies, we positioned ourselves as true pioneers, introducing novel products that distinguished us from competitors.
• This differentiation not only primed us for growth but also solidified our standing as industry leaders, offering solutions yet to be embraced by our competitors.
• Our focused learning centered on key areas: Sensors with Embedded Intelligence, Energy Harvesting, Energy Storage, and Connectivity

Tips to replicate our success in advance engineering:

• Commit to proactive research and development in alignment with core technology.
• Stay abreast of the latest technology trends and incorporate them into product development.
• Position yourself as an industry pioneer by introducing innovative products that differentiate your offerings.
• Focus on key technological areas relevant to your industry to maintain a competitive edge.

5: Agency - Commitment to Excellence and Compliance

Our achievements in the compliance domain underscore our commitment to quality and adherence to industry standards.?

• Notable accomplishments include the standardization of key components across product lines and obtaining approvals from relevant certifying bodies.?
• We introduced innovative solutions for specific applications, obtaining necessary certifications in multiple regions.
• ?Furthermore, we're actively working toward expanding our product offerings and ensuring compliance across various markets.?
• Our attention to detail and dedication to quality were further highlighted through our ongoing efforts to enhance our products and maintain compliance

Tips to replicate our success in the Agency domain:

• Prioritize product excellence and adherence to relevant certifications and industry standards.
• Standardize critical components where applicable to streamline compliance efforts.
• Actively pursue certifications that expand your product's market reach.
• Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality throughout the approval process.

6: Patents: Reinforcing our competitive Edge

• In our constant pursuit of reinforcing our competitive edge in the market, we've made notable strides in the domain of patents and intellectual property. This includes obtaining two new patents for the Atlas Valve, with one in China and another in Korea.
• Furthermore, we have two patents currently in the final stages of approval for our Electronic Thermostat, expected to be completed by early 2024. Additionally, we've initiated the process of filing a new patent for our innovative Flow Switch, solidifying our position as a leader in innovation and intellectual property protection

Tips to replicate our success in the Agency domain:

• Proactive Patents: Secure patents early to protect innovations.
• Global Reach: Expand patents internationally for wider protection.
• Continuous Innovation: Keep innovating and filing for new patents.

7: Technology and Product Roadmaps - Strategic Growth

• Through a careful assimilation of insights drawn from the previously mentioned areas, we have methodically crafted a forward-looking Technology and Product roadmap for Transducer growth, extending all the way to 2030.
• At its core, this roadmap delineates a high-level strategy centered on critical aspects such as product extensions, the integration of new sensing technology, the adoption of digital wired and wireless communication protocols, customization for specific applications, and the development of advanced application-specific firmware.
• This strategic approach is instrumental in ensuring our alignment with evolving market opportunities while upholding a consistent and well-considered trajectory towards innovation and market prominence

Tips to replicate our success in roadmap development:

• Garner insights from various areas of expertise within your organization.
• Strategically plan for long-term growth, extending your roadmap well into the future.
• Focus on key elements such as product development, technology adoption, and market alignment.
• Maintain a steady yet adaptable pace to keep up with dynamic market changes while prioritizing innovation and market leadership.

8: Business Continuity - Upholding Excellence

• We played a pivotal role in ensuring business continuity and delivering exceptional customer service by making significant contributions across various areas.
• Assisting the Ops team in meeting On-Time Delivery (OTD) and Quality metrics remained a top priority for us.
• A standout achievement was the successful execution of the alternate component, design, and supplier qualification which resulted in a substantial reduction of production backlog by year-end.
• This accomplishment serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction, both of which are key drivers of our overall success

Tips to replicate our success in upholding business continuity and delivering exceptional customer service:

• Prioritize operational excellence and consistently meet or exceed quality and delivery metrics.
• Undertake projects that address backlog reduction and improve efficiency.
• Demonstrate unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction as a fundamental component of your organization's success.

9: Contribution in business strategic directions and operational planning:

• For strategic planning for next 3 to 5 years, we worked hand in hand with Product management and sales to chart our organization’s growth strategy centered around new product development and product extensions to win in existing markets as well as entering new markets and applications.
• For Operating plan for 2024, we created detailed budgeting for investing in growth in the categories such as R & D, NPD, Agency, VAVE, Marcom, Travel, CapEx, Training, Seminars, customer visits, Patents & Trademarks as well as HC additions with ROI calculations across the board to demonstrate our strategic and responsible approach towards investments.

?Tips to replicate our success:

• Collaborate closely between departments.
• Expand into new markets while excelling in current ones.
• Create a detailed budget with investment prioritization.
• Focus on critical areas for growth.
• Align with a long-term vision for sustained success.

10: Customer Support - Proactive Problem Solving

• Our Engineering department has taken a proactive role in supporting both internal and external customers through a variety of initiatives.
• Internally, we have been instrumental in sustaining engineering efforts by actively engaging in product change projects spanning different sectors.
• Our team has effectively tackled technical challenges, resolved quality issues, and introduced innovative solutions.
• When faced with supply chain challenges, our department rose to the occasion by proposing alternative solutions, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
• Externally, our efforts have resulted in positive customer testimonials and the resolution of issues, bolstering engineering-to-engineering relationships.
• Our commitment to proactive problem-solving and collaboration has played a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction

Tips to replicate our success in supporting both internal and external customers:

• Actively engage in addressing technical and quality challenges.
• Demonstrate agility in proposing solutions, particularly in the face of supply chain disruptions.
• Foster strong engineering-to-engineering relationships with external customers through effective issue resolution and proactive collaboration.
• Prioritize operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as core objectives of your engineering department.

11: Driving CBS - Continuous Business Improvement

• A total of 14 Engineering associates from our department displayed active involvement in an impressive tally of 20 Kaizen events.
• These events spanned across diverse categories, including SWfF, TPI, SMED, VSM, TPM, EVSM, and MRS Design.
• Through their collaborative efforts and dedicated contributions, these individuals have gained invaluable expertise in the realm of Continuous Business Improvement (CBS) tools.
• Their proactive engagement in Kaizen initiatives is anticipated to yield significant benefits for the business, including heightened efficiency, waste reduction, streamlined processes, and an overall enhancement in performance across various organizational areas

Tips to replicate our success in fostering Continuous Business Improvement (CBS):

• Encourage active participation in Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide opportunities for employees to gain expertise in CBS tools and methodologies.
• Emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts and the positive impact on organizational efficiency and performance.

12: IC Management and Associates’ Professional Growth - Fostering Excellence

• In terms of Intellectual Capital and Team Management, our Global Engineering team has made significant progress in nurturing growth and development.
• We have established a structured weekly cadence where I engage with all associates across our three global locations, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives and outlining the role of engineering in achieving them.
• These meetings encompass a diverse range of topics, including tracking project progress, allocating resources, managing budgets, providing guidance on products and processes, offering coaching and mentoring, and facilitating effective business communication.
• Our overarching vision for the Engineering team centers on the pursuit of Engineering Excellence, prioritizing customer requirements, harnessing cutting-edge technology, driving top-line growth through innovation, and enhancing our Intellectual Capital (IC) through targeted training and hands-on problem-solving

Tips to replicate our success in Intellectual Capital and Team Management:

• Establish a disciplined cadence for team alignment and collaboration on strategic objectives.
• Foster a culture of ongoing communication and information sharing across global locations.
• Prioritize employee development through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training.
• Focus on customer-centric innovation and the utilization of advanced technology to drive growth and excellence in engineering.

13: Engineering Lab Upgrade - Innovation Hub

• In 2023, we made significant progress in transforming our Engineering lab into an "Innovation Hub." Our efforts began with the meticulous sorting and organization of our extensive inventory in the first half of the year, vital for optimizing lab operations.
• In the latter half of the year, we focused on creating a comprehensive lab layout to support our vision, emphasizing Customer Experience, Engineering Efficiency, Capability Expansion, and Capacity Expansion. These pillars aimed to streamline processes and enhance testing capabilities.
• By September 2023, we had outlined our vision and allocated a budget for renovations. The initial phase concentrated on the electronics/Transducer side, setting the stage for an innovation-focused lab environment.

Tips to replicate our success in transforming an Engineering lab into an Innovation Hub:

• Prioritize the systematic organization of lab inventory to optimize operations.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to assess equipment relevance and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop a comprehensive layout plan that aligns with your vision and objectives.
• Emphasize foundational pillars that guide your transformation efforts.
• Allocate a budget and execute renovations with precision and attention to detail.
• Cultivate a culture of innovation within the lab environment.

14: Customer Relationships - Engineer to Engineer

• Global engineering team demonstrated dedication to strengthening customer relationships and understanding unique needs.
• Conducted 21 visits facilitated by 14 Engineering associates to make substantial advancements.
• Established robust relationships with key players in the Energy sector, offered innovative solutions to alternative energy OEMs to enhance their experience, collaborated with transportation sector and explored advanced connectivity solutions for ride height information communication.
• Gained valuable insights into customer-specific requirements and future platform plans.
• Emphasized engineering excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity in our approach.

Tips to replicate our success in strengthening customer relationships and gaining valuable insights:

• Prioritize regular customer engagement and relationship-building.
• Seek opportunities for collaborative discussions to understand customer needs.
• Explore innovative solutions tailored to address specific customer challenges.
• Uphold a commitment to engineering excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity as core values within your organization.

As I conclude this article, remember that lessons learned from my team's triumphs are now your compass for navigating the Engineering driven Growth landscape. The road ahead is filled with opportunities to replicate our success and surpass even our own milestones. Thank you for reading this and I look forward to witnessing your engineering endeavors reach new heights next year. Stay inspired, stay innovative, and keep pushing boundaries!