Introduction
In January 2016, MFG Leaders Inc. successfully placed Li Ting as the General Manager at Carlstar, a specialty tire and wheel company in Meizhou, China. With dual citizenship (U.S. and China) and fluency in Mandarin, Li was uniquely positioned to lead Carlstar's operations and drive transformational change. This case study highlights Li Ting's achievements and the impact of his leadership over his 8-year tenure.
Background
- Candidate: Li Ting
- Placement Date: January 18, 2016
- Location: Meizhou, China (relocated from Shanghai, China)
- Position: General Manager
- Company: Carlstar (formerly owned by AIP, acquired by Titan International on February 29, 2024)
- Responsibilities: Full P&L responsibility
Career Journey and Achievements
- President, Tuthill China: Led top-line growth and cultural transformation using Conscious Company principles and Lean Manufacturing.
- President, Orbis Asia: Doubled sales and increased manufacturing efficiency.
- General Manager, Tuthill Suspension Technology: Achieved significant cost reductions and production efficiency.
Achievements at Carlstar
1. Leadership and Team Development:
- Replaced only 3 direct reports and promoted from within, fostering a supportive growth environment.
- Established a Lean Academy for leadership training and full participation.
- Implemented conscious leadership practices, ensuring annual salary increases of at least 6%.
2. Continuous Improvement:
- Achieved year-over-year KPI improvements of at least 6% and conducted monthly kaizen events.
- Reduced RIR by 75%, cost per pound by 23%, and improved productivity by 61% while maintaining high inventory turnover and reducing PPM to under 50.
3. Cultural Transformation:
- Shifted the culture from blame and victimhood to collaboration and root cause analysis.
- Introduced Conscious Company principles with radical leadership retreats to build trust and relationships.
4. Operational Success:
- The Meizhou location operates 24/7 with stand-up meetings to review performance and issues, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Teams are aligned by value streams with clear KPIs for safety, quality, productivity, OTD, and costs.
5. Strategic Acquisition:
- Played a key role in Carlstar's acquisition by Titan International for $750 million, making Titan the largest OR manufacturer.
Impact and Future Prospects
Transformative leadership has set a new standard at Carlstar, ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence. As he pursues a COO certification at MIT, Li remains committed to finding new challenges with Titan International and opportunities to grow its off-highway wheels, tires, assemblies, and undercarriage products business in Asia.
Testimonials
Li’s exceptional leadership is endorsed by his peers and superiors, reflecting his ability to drive significant business transformation and foster a positive work environment.
Personal Experience and Advice
Regarding work-life balance, Li has adeptly navigated the challenges of long-distance relationships while maintaining exemplary professional performance. He maintains regular contact with his family through quarterly visits and holiday gatherings, effectively balancing his career obligations and personal commitments."
Advice for Executives:
- Step Back and Assess: Look at the root cause of issues and focus on what will have the most impact. There will always be fires to put out, but prioritizing the most impactful ones is key.
- Develop Your Team: People are your greatest asset. Invest in their continuous improvement both at work and in their personal lives.
- Maintain Momentum: Ensure KPIs are well-known and consistently strive for improvement. Keep the team motivated and engaged with clear goals and regular feedback.
Conclusion
MFG Leaders Inc. is proud to have facilitated this successful placement. Li's successful placement exemplifies our commitment to executive placement longevity. Li's being on board with Carlstar for 8 years illustrates our executive placement longevity belief that "if we're still talking five years from now, I consider I've done my job." We look forward to supporting Li Ting’s continuous improvement and career growth.
NOTE: Executive placement profile prepared by Jim Baran, MFG Leaders, Inc.
www.mfgleaders.com; 828-708-3712;