CHESTERFIELD, MO, June 23, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michael Brauss has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Brauss, a senior partner at SolutionTech since 2020, has played a pivotal role in guiding organizations through comprehensive operational transformations. His responsibilities include creating current-state maps of product, material, and information flows to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement. He analyzes customer demand, productivity metrics, and operational requirements to prioritize process enhancements, designs future-state layouts and operational concepts to support growth objectives, and leads lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and eliminate waste.

In addition to these responsibilities, Mr. Brauss partners with clients to implement process improvement strategies, serves as interim operations leadership during transition periods, facilitates Kaizen events and structured change initiatives, and brings together cross-functional teams to evaluate problem statements and guides teams through continuous improvement methodologies to achieve sustainable results. He diligently monitors implementation progress to ensure alignment with organizational goals, customer requirements, and key performance indicators.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Brauss served as a partner at SolutionTech from 2019 to 2020. During this period, he was instrumental in establishing the consultancy with Jim Friedel, focusing on helping manufacturing industries implement lean strategies. His expertise enabled clients to realize significant operational improvements by eliminating waste, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

From 2016 to 2019, Mr. Brauss served as director of manufacturing at Johnson/Marcraft, part of Arizon Companies. In this capacity, he managed operations for an HVAC manufacturing facility, reinforcing his dedication to lean principles and operational efficiency. His leadership contributed to optimizing production processes and enhancing overall plant performance.

In 2016, Mr. Brauss also served as the director of operations at EnviroPAK Corporation, having previously held the role of manager of operations from 2014 to 2016. At EnviroPAK Corporation, a packaging plant, he oversaw daily operations and implemented lean manufacturing methodologies to improve productivity and reduce operational bottlenecks.

Mr. Brauss's foundational experience was shaped during his nine-year tenure at Mark Andy Inc., where he began as a production planner from 2004 to 2008, then advanced to assembly supervisor from 2008 to 2010, value stream manager from 2010 to 2012, and continuous improvement manager from 2012 to 2014.

Earlier, Mr. Brauss's time at Mark Andy Inc. was particularly formative; he learned about lean manufacturing principles and implemented assembly lines that replaced traditional batch manufacturing processes. Drawing inspiration from the Toyota Production System and Henry Ford's Model T assembly line innovations, he became passionate about lean methodologies that drive efficiency and empower employees at all levels.

Among Mr. Brauss' most notable achievements is facilitating a comprehensive cultural transformation for a client organization over a seven-year collaboration. Under his guidance, the company grew from a $40 million entity to over $100 million in revenue before being sold for nearly $700 million, an impressive return on an initial investment of $200 million.

Central to this transformation, Mr. Brauss played a crucial role in creating a structure that empowered employees at every level by fostering a bottom-up dynamic in which leaders could make real-time decisions that impact daily operations. By analyzing organizational processes, identifying areas of waste, and establishing an effective production rhythm aligned with customer demand, he unlocked the organization's potential for increased profitability.

Mr. Brauss's academic background includes earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2004. Additionally, he holds a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, further demonstrating his commitment to quality management and process optimization. This credential has enabled him to apply advanced statistical methods for process improvement across various operational settings.

Reflecting on his career, Mr. Brauss attributes his success to his upbringing in St. Louis, where he was immersed in the manufacturing industry from an early age. Summers's internship at a local manufacturer in Chesterfield exposed him to vertically integrated operations encompassing CNC machining, fabrication, painting, assembly, and field service, all under one roof. He credits his relentless drive for success and desire for daily improvement to his parents and business mentors, who instilled these values throughout his development.

Mr. Brauss emphasizes that success stems from hard work, dedication, and genuine relationships with colleagues. By deeply understanding their roles and identifying opportunities for improvement, individuals can serve as coaches and mentors — making a meaningful difference while achieving personal and professional goals. Ultimately, he advocates for selfless leadership: uplifting those around you as much as advancing yourself.

Throughout his career, Mr. Brauss' professional accomplishments have been recognized by industry peers; notably, he was named to Plant Engineering magazine's Plant Engineering Leaders Under 40, Class of 2013. He has also contributed thought leadership through published works such as "Lean Works for Molded Pulp" in Industrial Management in 2017 and "Trimming the Waste" in Manufacturing Automation in 2015, both reflecting his deep knowledge of lean practices within specialized manufacturing contexts.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Brauss enjoys traveling, spending time with family, karate, outdoor activities, working out, and model railroading. Looking ahead, he aims to expand the SolutionTech brand by collaborating with clients interested in enhancing their organizations through lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement mindsets. Mr. Brauss seeks opportunities to help private equity firms and private companies achieve their profitability and throughput goals, and aspires to serve on the board of one such company as part of his ongoing professional journey.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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