Meet Kevin Crawford, a dedicated professional at KION NA whose journey over the past four years has been marked by remarkable accomplishments and a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement. In this exclusive interview, Kevin shares his proudest achievements, insights on what makes an exceptional employee, and the motivating factors that drive him daily. Discover how Kevin’s emphasis on teamwork, integrity, and collaboration has not only enhanced his own success but also contributed significantly to the positive culture and future growth at KION NA. Read on to learn from Kevin’s experiences and find out what excites him most about the future of the company.
How long have you worked at KION NA?
I started in May 2020, so I have been here for 4 years and 2 months.
In the length of time, you have been at KION NA, what accomplishment makes you most proud?
The accomplishment I am most proud of during my career at KNA so far is I am proud of our team efforts for the PDCA and daily Continuous Improvements for all lines, but specifically the Right-First Time / First Pass Yield KPI improvements for Quality Gate-4 / Gate-5 defects. Q2 2024 was in the green for the entire plant for the first time in over a year. This accomplishment was the result of many hours of teamwork focusing in on failure modes using the Pareto Methodology. Seeing the data match 1:1 for the efforts of our multi-departmental team actions on a daily basis truly motivates me to continue our upward trends!
What do you think makes an employee stand out in an organization?
There are multiple attributes that can add value to a business. Here, that “it” factor is when someone understands that your job does not always stop at the written “bob description.” Sure, you have to allow process owners to own their processes, but (especially in times of growth) there will be times when you have to assist in efforts that are not fully aligned with your standard work. So, to sum it up, understanding that “going above and beyond” is needed at times to allow the business to continue a successful path forward is the true stand-out attribute in my mind.
What motivates you?
Seeing positive growth within our business and seeing that spark in people’s eyes when our actions equate to sustained improvements. The synergy, abovementioned points, and mindsets create improved trends and a positive work environment. Seeing KNA promote from within, whenever that can happen, also motivates me a great deal.
“For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
What is it about the culture at KION NA that makes you excel in your position?
The KNA Management Team understanding their associates’ strengths and weaknesses and setting our team up for success is a huge factor in my success here. Trust in your people to make the right decisions and to take ownership of their actions and results. Another key point is that our employees take ownership in their responsibilities, and I try to assist in the checks and balances for our daily operations. Following through with promises and being accountable is the key to success!
What do you think it takes to be an exceptional teammate?
A good teammate enters into a project or situation with an open mind and open ears. It’s easy to say, “It’s always been like that,” or to accept the status quo. An exceptional teammate is unwilling to accept failure; there are always opportunities for improvement.
One of my favorite quotes will answer this better than I can: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
Which KION Group shared value resonates most with you? Integrity, Courage, Collaboration, or Excellence?
All of our KION Group Values are important, but seamless Collaboration is the key to success in my opinion. We have a lot of good people in multiple departments and roles. The opportunity costs of not utilizing our personnel appropriately or not listening to process owners can be a huge set-back for a business. One of the strengths of KNA is fostering teamwork and collaboration, most personnel here are willing to assist in Troubleshooting and Corrective Action implementation by understanding their strengths and weaknesses and by utilizing their specialties to allow our business to continue to grow and prosper for many years to come.
Looking to the future, what are you most excited about?
Seeing the growth at KNA over the last 4+ years has been challenging but has also been very rewarding. I look forward to being a part of assuring that our current established processes continue to trend upward and to assisting in the implementation of future projects that will be the path to success for our company in the future marketplace.
I am also excited about being a mentor and leader within our company. I have met many people in the business world who believe hiding and protecting their knowledge leads to job security, but I do not agree with that mindset. I am an open book and always willing to share my ideas and experience with anyone that wants my input – even when the inputs are not prompted. For example, I am very proud of the growth Mikell Kornahrens, Supplier Quality Technician, has shown and really look forward to seeing him progress within his current QE path.
