Okay, let’s tackle this. So Tom has 33 years of experience in manufacturing, which is a significant amount of time. He has held a General Manager position at United Container Company, which is a substantial leadership role. His skills in Lean Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain management are in demand. However, his location in the Greater Chicago Area might affect his earning potential. According to industry benchmarks, manufacturing executives with similar experience and skills in the Midwest region can charge between $80-$150 per hour. Considering his experience and leadership role, I’ll estimate his hourly rate to be around $125.