Lukas Hronek
Prague
Summary
Manufacturing executive with 25+ years in automotive specializing in plant turnarounds, cross-border production transfers, and operational leadership during complex industrial transformations. Skilled in process improvements, talent management, and financial oversight. Effective communicator and versatile leader across automotive (interiors; electro distribution systems). Safety-focused with track record of exceeding benchmarks and achieving operational excellence. Ready to deliver significant results and sustainable growth. Experienced Plant Manager adept at improving output, maximizing quality, and boosting employee satisfaction with hands-on management style. Recognized as effective business manager and motivational leader. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Leading manufacturing operations during corporate Crisis: running operations while headquarters was insolvent; maintaining OEM supply during restructuring; managing plant closure and know-how transfer; handling trade union negotiations during closure. Industrial Relocation & Transfer Expertise: production transfers between plants; cross-border industrial relocations; training of new workforce; process transfer under serial production. Full Industrial Lifecycle Leadership: greenfield plant setup; ramp-up to serial production; operational growth; restructuring and efficiency improvement; plant relocation; plant closure and knowledge transfer. Industrial Transformation Leader specialized in: plant transformation; operational turnaround; manufacturing relocation; crisis operations; complex automotive supply chains. High operational resilience succeeded in environments with: insolvency; factory closures; restructurings; major launches; relocation projects.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Manager
IAC Group Prestice 2 Plant
Prestice, Czechia
09.2018 - Current
- Efficiently established organizational structure; transitioned greenfield environment to serial production facility implementing corporate strategy
- Enabled decentralization process readiness for production facility, prioritizing RFQ project phase for calculation offer purposes, advanced quality planning, and program management incl
- Prototype Shop establishment (starting with Door Panel for Mercedes - GLC - all prototypes done by Local staff
- Layouts determination: adapted internal logistics and material flow based on facility growth from new project nominations (MMA/MB: EAM)
- Supported project launches within group facilities
- Achieved exceptional +35% enhancement in shopfloor space utilization through effective optimization strategies
- Received prestigious Mercedes Quality Award in 2019 for delivery without OEM interruption
- Core product: Door Panel for Mercedes Benz (MFA2 all derivates = Mercedes 'A' and 'B' Class / BR_254 = Mercedes GLC / VW Group (Skoda: Enyaq/Camiq/Skala)
- Succeeders nominated by OEMs again for this Facility
- Initiating function decentralization lead (Sales/RFQ/Program Management)
- SMED achievements (toll exchange drop down from 55 mins
- Down to 25 mins on IMM Area)
- Virtual Reality applied for new Projects Working Station design as well as for IMM tool maintenance
- Training Center established to increase efficiency of new incommers
- Overall support for IAC sister companies especially while launching new Projects.
- Led, trained and coached plant staff to facilitate high levels of productivity and quality.
- Reduced costs by eliminating materials waste and unnecessary labor hours.
- Maximized plant safety through proactive strategies and well-structured training.
- Monitored and evaluated plant performance to identify areas for improvement and take corrective measures.
- Provided direction and leadership to all levels of employees and managers.
- 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.
- Evaluated employee performance and provided feedback and training as needed.
- Directed employees and related programs to maximize team productivity and facility output.
Plant Manager
Treves Group
Přestanov, Czechia
11.2016 - 08.2018
- Spearheaded establishment of the green-field site in Czech Republic, meticulously selecting production location and coordinating facility layout for maximum synergies
- Transferred and integrated group production methodology, seamlessly managing project transitions resulting from closure of German site, while driving new project initiatives
- Founded and led technical centre in Prague while strategically serving central and eastern Europe region, fostering innovation, and delivering exceptional client support
- Successfully designed and implemented a streamlined company structure, starting from training abroad over to start of serial production in CZ, leading to improved operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Core product: acoustics (carpets mainly for BMW/Porsche).
- Maintained quality of product with robust inspections and assessment team.
Senior Production and Quality Management Expert
Altran
02.2016 - 10.2016
- Consulted Tier 1 and Tier 2 Automotive Companies, specializing in quality and production process improvement, including SOP readiness, cost-saving identification, new product launch support, and customer audit preparedness
- BR_238 (Mercedes Benz project) launch incl
- Process / system steps implementation within entire production at Customer
- Significantly enhanced company performance by conducting thorough analysis of key indicators, leading to data-driven improvements, and increased operational efficiency.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Plant General Manager
Automotive Interior Systems
Velky Osek, Czechia
11.2014 - 09.2015
- Consolidated production island into single green-field factory, implementing efficient injection moulding process with newly structured team
- Executed company-wide restructuring initiatives focused on cost reduction and identifying potential savings
- Spearheaded the launch of Audi/Skoda projects, driving successful implementation and meeting project objectives
- Initiated and established injection moulding area, commencing production of interior parts for the VW Group, particularly Audi carline, while adhering to Just-in-Sequence (JIS) and Just-in-Time (JIT) principles
- Proactively drove significant sales increase, achieving a growth of +50% from February 2015 to July 2015, resulting in a substantial headcount expansion from 200 to 420
- Successfully transferred projects from German group companies, facilitating seamless continuity and optimized operations
- Core product: interior parts - Consoles/Glow-boxes etc
- (Injection moulding/Assembly/Flock/lamination/welding etc.)
- Identified and resolved process and equipment issues to minimize production downtime.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
Executive Director and Managing Director
KDK Automotive Czech
Tachov, Czechia
04.2010 - 02.2014
- Operated daily business and devised strategic plans during budgeting for up to three years
- Reorganized the management team due to communication discrepancies among members
- Analysed products with the aim of increasing added value
- Prepared site within eight months for SOP of new projects as crucial group elements, determined by fulfilling necessary actions (e.g., management team restructuring)
- Served as customer relationship interface in strategical tasks (new project nominations, new launches, quality concerns, etc.), acting as responsible site for sales
- Spearheaded continuous improvement program by identifying and acting on saving potentials (productivity increases, scrap rate reductions)
- Assisted in company acquisition proceedings by Don kook Industrial Co., Korea
- Efficiently steered insolvency-driven factory of maternal company for 18 months, ensuring continued new project launches and sales growth
- Secured 30% of initial costs through successful application to the EU Subvention Program, facilitating the purchase of the Skoda/Golf Armrest Assembly Line
- Achieved a remarkable 16% increase in people productivity from 2010 to 2013, driving operational efficiency and maximizing workforce performance
- Core product: big interior plastic parts, central consols, armrests, IP lower (painted - soft lack water based) etc.
- Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct company focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Aligned department vision, goals, and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
- Defined company roles and responsibilities to establish and enhance processes.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
General Manager
AEES (former Alcoa)
Stribro, Czechia
01.2000 - 03.2010
- Plant / Operations Execution while Headquarters is insolvent
- Factory closure
- Factory know-how / Projects transfer abroad (RO) incl
- Handover and training of Romanian employees at facility while in the same Time OEM increased volume by +30% within 3 Weeks
- Leading all operations without any disruptions faced to customer while maternal Company insolvent
- Very close costumer Interface (Skoda Mladá Boleslav / CZ) and overall Communication widow to OEMs
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Handover of Romanian facility over to competitor incl
- R&D Center in CZ / Pilsen (Kroschu)
- Handover of AEES Staff (160 Associates) over to company Leoni / CZ (while 1 Year before supporting the run of Operations for Leoni at Site by AEES Staff)
- Head of Trade Union (OS Kovo) communication and negotiation while Czech factory closed
- Handover of Spare Part Production and know-how to competitor
- Flawless AEES Czech Factory closure.
Education
Master of Science - business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
University of Business Prague
Prague, Czechia10.2016
High School Diploma -
Travel Trade And Tourism
Karlovy Vary, Czechia06.1999
Skills
- Operations Management
- M&A experience
- Production Planning
- Lean Manufacturing
- Plat management within Insolvency Status
- Multiple plants responsibility (abroad/in CZ) with shared production towards same OEM incl R@D Center
- Quality Control
- Continuous Improvement
- Performance Management
- Green-field establishment
- Facility closure
- Automotive - interior parts production competency incl wire harnesses
- Inventory Control
- Budgeting & Financial Analysis
- KPI Tracking
- Production relocation
- Project Launches
- Restructuring
- Project Management
- Logistics Coordination
- Training Programs
- Cost Controls
- Problem Solving
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Change Management
- Team Leadership
- Waste Reduction
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Process Optimization
- Logistics Management
Languages
Czech (maternal)
English
German
French (partly)
Honors And Awards
- Mercedes Benz Award (at IAC Group)
- General Motors Supplier Quality Award | Opel/Germany | Mummert & Company Memo (at KDK Automotive)
- VW Quality Award (at Alcoa)
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2007 Award on european Campaign on musculoskeletal disorders, ‘lighten the load’) - Evropská správná praxe pomáhá snížit počet nemocí z povolání pro miliony pracovníků | BOZPinfo.cz
- annual_report07_en_0.pdf (europa.eu)
Personal Information
- Place of Birth: Klatovy / CZ
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Czech
- Marital Status: divorced
Training
Alcoa Plant Manager training (10 WD in NJ - USA) - focus on Kaizen/Manufacturing Excellence. Production manager (Gradua - 2008) Educational Project Potential Manager (Extima - from September 2006 until November 2007) Logistics (Gradua - 2006) Manager Skills (ČSJ -2005) Quality engineer (2002 -ČSJ) Quality engineer according to ISO 9001:2000 (ČSJ -2000) VW Wolfsburg (Product-auditor) PSCR (2022) Statistic (Q-Dass - Beroun)-2001
Timeline
Plant Manager
IAC Group Prestice 2 Plant
09.2018 - Current
Plant Manager
Treves Group
11.2016 - 08.2018
Senior Production and Quality Management Expert
Altran
02.2016 - 10.2016
Plant General Manager
Automotive Interior Systems
11.2014 - 09.2015
Executive Director and Managing Director
KDK Automotive Czech
04.2010 - 02.2014
General Manager
AEES (former Alcoa)
01.2000 - 03.2010
Master of Science - business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
University of Business Prague
High School Diploma -
Travel Trade And Tourism