Mike Welch

Valen is a B2B supplier of custom drawer and door components, serving customers in all segments of the custom furniture industry, including: Kitchens, Offices, Millworks, Closets, Hospitality, Medical & Laboratory, and Home Furnishings.

Manage and direct ongoing operations to enhance current production capabilities, product offering and customer base through value engineering, enhanced product offerings and new market penetration. Increase sales through new business development and building strong client relationships. Building a dealer network and providing an exceptional customer experiences as a preferred B2B supplier for the casework/millwork, hospitality furniture and store fixture industries. Further develop technologies and customer base for the Wood Powder Coat division.

Manage and direct all aspects of daily operations. Establish staffing requirements, production schedules, material requirements, and quality measures. Oversee and participate in estimating, engineering, project management, and budget management functions. Designed and oversaw the installation of one of North Americas most technologically advanced MDF wood powder coat systems.

Managed the design and construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. Facilitated construction bids and contractor negotiations, and capital equipment acquisitions. Independently designed and oversaw installation of one of the nation’s first MDF powder coat lines. Oversaw budget management, estimating, and project management. Created policies, SOPs, and quality standards and measures. Led and taught 5S and Kaizen training programs and established efficient work cell and manufacturing processes. Successfully led initiatives and launched new market sales in POP and Store Fixture markets.

Designed and oversaw the construction of a new manufacturing plant. Secured construction bids, negotiated with contractors, and procured all capital equipment. Determined new staffing requirements, conducted interviews, and hired/trained new employees. Ensured optimum productivity by creating/implementing efficient work cells and manufacturing processes. Designed new prodcuts that tripled sales in just over 2 years.