What makes Swiss watches so sought after by collectors?
For most people, a watch is a watch, but for those in the know, a Swiss watch is renowned for meticulous craftsmanship, precision, durability, and reliability.
January’s Employee of the Month shares many of the same qualities. Their commitment to exceptionalism shines through in their steadfast dedication, reliability, and leadership qualities, making them an indispensable part of the KT team.
That’s why our first Employee of the Month winner for 2026 is… Extrusion Operator Darrin Bienvenue!
Darrin is more than a great employee; he’s become a linchpin of KrisTech’s Sunday night crew, setting the tone for the entire team with his professionalism and accountability.
“His ability to stay focused, make sound decisions, and ensure smooth operations during these unsupervised hours showcases his strong work ethic and commitment to KrisTech’s success,” Director of Operations Eric Pietrowski said. “Darrin is always first to step in and support other areas whenever he doesn’t have active production orders. His willingness to contribute wherever needed—without hesitation—reflects a true team-first attitude and reinforces the collaborative culture we strive for.”
Not only is Darrin fantastic at his job, but he also helps others improve their skills, making the team that much better.
“Darrin is a trusted mentor in extrusion, frequently sharing his experience and knowledge to help teammates grow in both skill and confidence,” Pietrowski said. “His mentorship builds stronger operators and improves the overall performance of the department.”
Whether he’s looking for ways to improve current processes and enhance efficiency or simply share his wealth of experience with others, Darrin is always focused on making life easier for those around him.
“Darrin lives KrisTech’s values every day,” Pietrowski explained. For his reliability, leadership, teamwork, and values-driven contributions, Darrin is highly deserving of this recognition.
Though Darrin claimed the top spot for January’s honors, he was only one of several well-deserving nominees, including:
Melinda Tupper, E-0 Extrusion Operator – Melinda consistently demonstrates what it means to Lead by Example on the E-0 line. Her commitment to following processes, asking questions when something’s off, and driving improvements helped boost January’s OEE. She also Built Trusted Relationships with both IT and Engineering, offering insights to support ongoing system and process enhancements. Her work this month on the sequential footing marks is the first exciting step toward some serious scrap savings.
Inessa Yusupov, Creative Director – Inessa’s creativity, persistence, humor under pressure, and tireless dedication to the craft have led to the foundation for KrisTech’s new website (coming soon!). She’s gathering feedback from nearly every department, and turning everyone’s requests and comments into a single, cohesive vision. Inessa’s hard work has resulted in something polished, modern, and undeniably impressive— a work of art reflecting her vision and discipline.
A new year means a new roster of nominees for our prestigious 2026 Employee of the Year award!
Check back next month to see which one of our many deserving employees joins Darrin in the winner’s circle!
