Mazak’s Brian Papke wins award for leadership and manufacturing advancement

Brian Papke, former chairman and now executive advisor to the board of Mazak Corporation, received the prestigious M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal of ASME/SME.

Throughout his career, Papke has promoted, supported, and expanded applications of machine tools and manufacturing technology in ways that set the stage for digital manufacturing, drove standardization for manufacturing interconnectivity, and improved the overall competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.

Established in 1986, the award recognizes exceptional individuals who have had significant influence and responsibility for improving the productivity and efficiency of manufacturing operations. The honour results from Papke's long, distinguished career in the machine tool industry.

In receiving the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal, Papke extended heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, and especially to the entire Mazak team and the Yamazaki family that founded the company. With a passion for the manufacturing industry, machine tools and Mazak, he never considered his career a job, but instead a way of life for 55 years.

In his leadership position at Mazak, Papke created and sustained a pattern of continuous growth and improvement for the company through the establishment of three core business strategies. Those strategies included a lean production-on-demand approach to manufacturing, implementation of the industry’s first digitally connected Mazak iSMART Factory™ customer support program, and a unique network of eight Technology Centers and five Technical Centers across North America, anchored by a National Technology Center in Florence, Kentucky. Papke also was active in numerous trade association committees.