SuperSealer Brian Craven
This month’s SuperSealer is helping to drive change and innovation at Trelleborg. With a passion for fostering growth, navigating market challenges, and embracing automation, he plays an integral role in promoting the culture of continuous improvement that is so vital to our continued success. Below, he shares his journey, what makes Trelleborg special, and how he balances leading a thriving team and driving operational improvement, with his love of the great outdoors.
Who are you?
My name is Brian Craven and I’m the Operations Director at Trelleborg Seals & Profiles in Aurora, Ohio, USA. Before stepping into this role, I worked as the Engineering Manager at the same site, which provided a solid foundation for my current responsibilities.
How long have you worked in this position and what are your key duties?
I’ve been in this role since August 2023. My focus is on overseeing all manufacturing functions at the Aurora facility. I also lead the Safety Steering Committee and chair the Plant Safety Committee. At the core of my responsibilities is driving performance and continuous improvement in production and supply chain operations – with safety and quality always at the forefront.
How long have you been with Trelleborg in total and what do you like about working here?
It’s been 18 months since I joined Trelleborg Seals & Profiles, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. One of the standout aspects of Trelleborg is its commitment to employee development. There are genuine opportunities here for individuals to grow and thrive, which is reflected in the caliber of people on our team. This is not unique to the Aurora site: I’ve witnessed this same dedication to excellence and development across Trelleborg’s many locations around the world. Despite being a large company, Trelleborg empowers each facility with the freedom to adapt to its specific needs while staying connected to the company’s broader mission.
What are the key challenges you face in your job?
The biggest challenge my colleagues and I are facing right now is navigating the current market environment. Our business is largely focused on a specific market segment, which is experiencing lower demand than we’ve seen in the past. To adapt, we’ve had to carefully manage costs and continually rebalance the business as volumes shift. While this has been a challenge, it has also presented opportunities to refine and improve in key areas. I believe we’re positioning ourselves for even greater success when the market rebounds.
How do you think the business in your area is going to evolve in the future? How are you preparing for this?
We’re already making strides to diversify into new market segments. Developing the sophisticated tooling and processes required to compete in these areas has been a major focus, and we’re seeing increasing success. Looking ahead, I envision a much more diversified facility in the coming years. Additionally, cost reduction remains crucial to staying competitive. Automation plays a critical role in maintaining and improving our position in the market; by coupling this with strong internal partnerships, we’re positioning ourselves to seize even more opportunities.
What do you do in your free time?
First and foremost, I’m a proud father of five amazing children. Outside of that, outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and backpacking are a massive part of my life. In fact, I’m the scoutmaster for a local Scouts troop, which has been incredibly rewarding. I also enjoy cooking good food for my family and friends. On the rare occasions when I’m not busy with one of the above, you’ll probably find me either riding my motorcycle or working on cars.
