The Markel Corporation recently named Rick Kreppel as the new vice president of Manufacturing Operations who will head up the company’s Lean Six Sigma manufacturing change.
Kreppel is a Six Sigma Black Belt-certified manager, meaning he has mastered a method of collaborative effort that focuses on the removal of waste and variation. It is based on the Toyota Production System, and Kreppel himself has brought his operational knowledge and experience of such to the medical device, microelectronics and telecommunications industries. He has worked with Globus Medical, the Handy & Harman Corporation, General Electric Company and more.
“Working across different industries, I’ve learned that while the end-product may be different, the process to deliver that product, is often quite similar,” Kreppel said. “I’ve spent my career perfecting that operational process, centered around high-performance teams. I believe you need to connect the right people with the right process to create the optimal environment for success, which I define as every member of the team taking responsibility and ownership of product quality, efficiency, and successful delivery.”
Markel, a fluoropolymer-based product manufacturer for the automotive, heavy transportation, aerospace and other industries, intends to shift its corporate culture in the days ahead, according to Jon Kirchner, Markel Corporation president and CEO. Kreppel will help them get more in line with the vision they desire, Kirchner said.