Mike Groenewald
About Mike Groenewald
Mike Groenewald serves as the Plant Manager at Kennametal, where he has significantly increased productivity and implemented quality standards. He has extensive experience in managing manufacturing processes, employee training, and safety programs.
Work at Kennametal
Mike Groenewald has worked at Kennametal as Plant Manager since 2002, accumulating over 22 years of experience in this role. His responsibilities include overseeing the full dispatch process, which utilizes a fleet of four vehicles for route planning across a 200-mile radius. Groenewald has successfully managed the implementation of a new manufacturing plant, ensuring smooth operations from concept to execution. His leadership has been instrumental in achieving significant productivity improvements and maintaining operational standards.
Education and Expertise
Mike Groenewald has pursued various educational opportunities to enhance his expertise in production management. He studied at Guinea Fowl, where he earned a Diploma in Production. Additionally, he has been studying Lean, OEE, and TPM Green Belt principles since 2006. Groenewald has also completed advanced training in Microsoft Office, specifically in Word and Excel, which supports his operational management tasks.
Achievements in Productivity and Standards
Under Mike Groenewald's management, the plant achieved an 80% increase in productivity through strategic planning and restructuring initiatives. He implemented ISO 9001 and 14000 standards within the plant, ensuring compliance with international quality and environmental management systems. Groenewald also introduced an upgraded warehouse management system that significantly improved dispatch statistics, contributing to overall operational efficiency.
Health and Safety Management
Mike Groenewald has maintained an incident-free environment for eight years by effectively running Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs. He has recruited and trained all production and warehouse employees, emphasizing adherence to Health & Safety practices and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). His commitment to safety has been a key component of the plant's operational success.
Logistics and Operations Management
In his role, Mike Groenewald is responsible for managing the loading bay and ensuring the timely offloading of two international consignments per week. He oversees the full dispatch process, which includes negotiating rates and service level agreements for contractors performing repairs and maintenance on vehicles within a 200-mile radius. His logistical expertise supports the efficient operation of the plant.