SANDY MUNRO:
 
Paul Glantz




 
 
 
 
 
Founder and CEO of Munro & Associates Inc. and Design Profit Inc. in Troy. Munro is a frequent speaker and adviser to some of the world's top executives on implementing change and innovative development strategies. Called a visionary and master innovator by NASA, Munro has more than 40 years of experience. His company has saved businesses an estimated $9 billion and has helped retain or return to North America some 50,000 jobs. Munro & Associates Inc. was established in 1988 and focuses on profit improvement through design innovation. In its 30,000-sq.-ft. facility, Munro benchmarks and redesigns products utilizing the Munro Design Profit® software and vast internal search engine TechTransfer™ to remove 20 to 60 percent of costs while improving product function and quality. Projects that Munro is developing include an affordable home wind turbine generator, mega capacity energy storage systems, and an electric-powered aircraft. Munro's customers include TACOM, Tata Motors, Chrysler, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Rubbermaid, Boeing, Raytheon, and Nikon. Recently, the company was awarded a GSA Schedule for Professional Engineering Services from the General Services Administration, allowing it to provide products and services to government agencies as an approved, preferred vendor and to expedite the process of obtaining government contracts. Prior to starting the firm, Munro worked at Ford Motor Co. He was promoted to senior automation specialist and developed and supervised the installation of new, more productive engine manufacturing lines. He began his career as a toolmaker, working up to designer and eventually became engineering manager at Valiant Machine Tool Co. Named People Worth Watching by Automotive Industries, Munro has chaired and spoken at numerous engineering conferences and symposia and has lectured at Stanford, Purdue, University of Michigan, and Oxford, among others. He is chairman of NASA's MI SATS (Michigan Small Aircraft Transportation System), a board member of NASA NCAM (National Consortium for Air Mobility,) and a member of the board of advisors for University of Detroit Mercy.


WHERE BORN: “A farm near Windsor, Ontario.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “I had two who really affected me. My father had a very strong work ethic. I was 18 for three years. He ran a factory and the legal age to work there is 18. When I was 16, I was 18. He had me working as apprentice toolmaker. He was very precise and everything had to be high quality. The second person was Dr. Edward Deming. I was at a machine tool company and Ford enticed me to work there. I was astounded at how shoddy everything was. Deming walked in the door, and I was one of the first he trained. He had a profound effect on Ford and on me. We became very good friends. He was brilliant on a lot of different levels.”

LAST BOOK READ: “A book that never got published. Deming gave me his manuscript about management and quality techniques.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Workaholic, inventive, passionate about trying to bring jobs back to the U.S.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “I'm in product design and realization. I'm hoping that the U.S. will wake up and understand that manufacturing isn't a bad thing and is the only thing that will pull us out of the soup as far as recession is concerned. It's one of the only things that creates real wealth. Companies like Munro will lead the way to get the U.S. back on its manufacturing feet.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “The gadgets I work with go into space or guide missiles and bullets. I don't really get excited about a new iPad or cell phone. My tech gadget is a secret project I can't talk about.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Our cottage in Canada. It looks directly at Belle Isle. It's a spectacular place to relax.”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “I like hunting but I never go. I like woodworking but don't have a chance to do that, either.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “I'll eat everything. I'm a steak guy.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “I'm a fairly good singer.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “A guy who paid his bills. As a good husband and father and someone who tried to make a difference in the U.S. economy.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.