Marine Corps Veteran Brad Kuharik Credits Leadership Skills for His Success at Axon

Transitioning from active duty to manufacturing was challenging, however, Kuharik adapted into key roles.

Brad Kuharik
Brad Kuharik

Before brad kuharik was Axon’s director of manufacturing and safety, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the U.S. Marines Corps, where he upheld the leadership principles that have since guided him through various operations management roles in consumer goods, power utilities, and the packaging industry. His transition from active duty to a manufacturing career was challenging, however, Kuharik has adapted and progressed quickly into key roles. He has now been at Axon Corp., a ProMach company, for three years, and he has advice for how packaging and processing OEMs can assist in welcoming veterans into the industry.

As the director of manufacturing and safety, what are some of the challenges you face in your role?
I oversee the assembly, set-up, validation, and verification testing for all of the packaging equipment we manufacture, as well as safety for the entire site. One challenge I am continually faced with is performing tasks both correctly and safely, while maintaining efficiency and meeting project timelines. Between the level of machine customization  requested by the customers, as well as the push to meet project deadlines, we have to modify parts at our plant. While we do have trained personnel, our specialty is assembling and integrating machines into a fully functional sleeve labeling system. Completing projects safely is our number one goal.

How have you advanced your career while at Axon?
I started my career at Axon as director of manufacturing, and shortly thereafter, I was appointed as the director of safety as a result of my safety background from both the Marine Corps and previous manufacturing roles. I am proud to say Axon is approaching three years without an OSHA recordable incident.

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