Meet SVI’s Black Belts: The People Powering Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement

In high-mix electronics manufacturing, one unresolved issue can delay shipments, trigger costly rework, or compromise product performance. At SVI, we don’t leave improvement to chance. We embed Lean Six Sigma into the core of how we operate — and our certified Black Belts lead the way.

As we celebrate SVI’s 40-year journey, we’re highlighting the people who make our performance possible. Behind every line improvement, every quality breakthrough, and every faster recovery from a customer escalation, there’s a team — and within that team, there’s often a Black Belt guiding the process with data, discipline, and collaboration.

Lean Six Sigma in Action — Built Into the Operation, Not Bolted On

Unlike organizations where Lean Six Sigma sits in a central quality function, SVI’s Black Belts are embedded across the company — in testing, new product introduction, automation, product engineering, industrial engineering, quality assurance, and more.

This matters. Because it means:

• CI expertise is always close to the problem — whether it’s a yield drop on the SMT line, a recurring cosmetic defect, or a ramp-up issue during NPI.
• Cross-functional teams (CFTs) aren’t just cross-department in name — they include real problem-solving muscle trained in DMAIC, DOE, root cause analysis, and statistical process control.
• SVI’s CI efforts aren’t reactive or episodic. They’re proactive, data-backed, and continuously reinforced by engineers trained to lead and coach.

“Continuous improvement at SVI isn’t a response to problems—it’s a foundation for progress,” said Patrick Loughran Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer.
“Our Black Belts don’t operate on the sidelines. They’re embedded in our operations, driving transformation, shaping culture, and helping every team unlock new levels of performance.”

Real Results That Matter to OEMs

When quality is at stake, so is your delivery schedule, your customer relationships, and your brand. That’s why our Black Belt-led teams focus on tangible outcomes that EMS customers care about:

• Faster root cause resolution for field issues or escalations
• Higher first-pass yields (FPY) through design and process collaboration
• Defect and rework reduction through robust preventive controls
• Improved line performance through lean flow optimization

These are the kinds of results that Lean Six Sigma delivers when it’s fully operationalized — not as a side initiative, but as a culture of structured problem solving.

CI Is a Core Part of SVI’s 40-Year Journey

Lean Six Sigma Black Belts represent a key milestone in this journey — not only leading complex projects, but mentoring cross-functional teams and developing the next generation of problem solvers across our global facilities.

“Our Black Belts are the backbone of structured improvement at SVI. They help translate data into action, and action into long-term customer value,” said Dr. Raymond Ramiah, Corporate Quality Management

What’s Next: Enabling Everyone to Improve, Everywhere

While Black Belts lead the strategy and structure, it’s our Green Belts who scale improvement across the company — applying Lean Six Sigma to day-to-day operations. Whether on the line, in a lab, or during a product ramp, SVI’s CI culture is becoming everyone’s responsibility.

Stay tuned for our next post on how Green Belts are helping teams solve problems faster and build quality into every step of the process.

Ready to Partner With a CI-Driven EMS Provider?

From defect reduction to launch acceleration, SVI’s Lean Six Sigma Black Belts bring the expertise and execution power to help you meet your quality, cost, and delivery goals.

Contact us today to learn more about our CI approach and how it supports your long-term success.