Outstanding Industrial Technologist - 2000

The determination to focus upon customer requirements, reduce time to market of new products and maximize utilization of corporate assets is manifest through the Crane Company Six Sigma Black Belt activities. Mr. Braasch is a Master Black Belt reporting to the President of Crane Co. He interacts with and guides Crane Division managers in the implementation of the Six Sigma Black Belt Program. In so doing, he facilitates activities that result in increased sales and improved productivity directly impacting the corporation's profitability and growth.

Mr. Braasch graduated from Illinois State University in 1983 and was employed as a Field Engineer at the construction sight of the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant. He joined Rockwell International as an Industrial Engineer in 1985. He progressed at the Rockwell Centralia Operation to Production Department Manager and subsequently to Process Engineering Manager. Mr. Braasch joined Kemlite, a division of Crane Company as Technical Director in 1992. He rapidly became responsible for the technical direction of two additional Crane manufacturing facilities in Arkansas and Tennessee rising to the position of Vice President of Technology.

In 1997 he was selected to lead the Six Sigma Black Belt program at Kemlite. As a Master Black Belt, Mr. Braasch reports to the President of Crane Co. providing the leadership and expertise to maximize the companies potential revenues and profitability.