All Stars

4 N E W M A N U F A C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E COURTESY OF ALEX ZACARIAS, 3N PRODUCTIONS, LLC Alexis Alvarez TIDI Products, Neenah ENGINEERING MANAGER Online: Watch Alexis talk about her work at TIDI Products. newmfgalliance.org Check out TIDI Products' website at tidiproducts.com N E W M A N U FA C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E ALL STAR O What does your company make? We manufacture furniture for schools, universities, hospitals and businesses. How do your company's products make a difference in people's lives? We make hospital stays more comfortable, office space more functional, school days more enjoyable and college more inviting. What are your job duties? As a process manager for KI, I oversee the manufacturing activities of our technicians in the plastics department. I am responsible for making sure we are sending out quality parts and that we are getting our orders done on time. I make sure we have the right number of people and that we are working as efficiently as possible. Why do you choose to live in Northeast Wisconsin? I love living in Northeast Wisconsin because there is such a large variety of things to do. We are within an hour of a lot of beautiful art galleries, hiking trails and state parks. We are right on the water, so taking a trip on a friend's boat is always quick and fun. We are close to the Green Bay Packers, so it's always nice to go to a game or go tailgating near the stadium. There are also a lot of really great restaurants and local shops. How did you decide on this career path? When I started my career at KI, I didn't expect to stay long. It was just supposed to be something that paid the bills until I figured out what I really wanted to do. Eventually, I became a team leader at KI and really enjoyed the role. What's your educational background, and what classes and training most prepared you with the necessary skills? I have a Megan Bonde KI, Green Bay LEAN PROCESS MANAGER N E W M A N U FA C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E ALL STAR O Online: Watch Megan talk about working at KI. newmfgalliance.org Check out KI's website at ki.com What does your company make? Medical devices and products for patients and caregivers. How do your company's products make a difference in people's lives? Our products help prevent infection, prevent falls and other safety risks, and support hospital staff. What are your job duties? My job is to lead a team of engineers through continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives. That might include design changes, qualifying alternate materials, modifying existing manufacturing processes, selecting materials for new products and developing manufacturing processes for new product launches. Why do you enjoy your job? Every day brings a new challenge. Manufacturing is very rewarding in the sense of being able to see rapid results through experimentation. It is constant problem-solving to achieve a desired countermeasure or new process. Why do you choose to live in Northeast Wisconsin? There are plenty of outdoor activities, and you are not too far from just about anything. It is great for someone who is adventurous but also loves to take it easy. How did you decide on this career path? I love to learn. Manufacturing is great because there is always a new method or evolving technology to learn. You can always apply previous knowledge to your next challenge. This has always been exciting and very rewarding. What's your educational background, and what classes and training

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