Oliver Racing Parts,
manufacturer of connecting rods for motorsports and other
high-performance vehicles, has hired veteran manufacturing engineer
Kenneth Ondercin as vice president of operations.
Ondercin will oversee all production activities for Oliver Racing Parts
from design and engineering to manufacturing and quality assurance. He
also will be responsible for implementing machinery and equipment
upgrades over the next year to enable the company to increase production
capacity and expand its lineup of aftermarket racing parts.
“Ken has run facilities large and small, from machine shops to highly
precise aerospace operations,” said Joseph Moch, president and CEO of
Oliver Racing Parts. “Having dealt with all aspects of CNC [computer
numerical control] operations, he is well-suited to oversee our facility
operations and infrastructure improvements.”
From 1999 to 2010, Ondercin was with Skilled Manufacturing Inc. (SMI) of
Traverse City, Mich., developing equipment to manufacture aerospace and
automotive components. He worked with management, quality and
production to achieve AS 9100 quality standard, and was in charge of the
continuous improvement cost reduction programs for SMI.
Last month, ACAT Global of Charlevoix, Mich., which manufactures lightweight, efficient metallic catalytic converter substrates, purchased a significant stake in Oliver Racing Parts, including all of the company’s debt. ACAT is also investing in Oliver’s upcoming machinery and equipment upgrades.