Kraig Hoekstra

To make it in engineering, you’ve got to know how to analyze, examine, and then improve what it’s front of you. It’s what makes manufacturing engineer Kraig Hoekstra so good at his job.

“Even though he’s extremely detailed, Kraig has the unique ability to think creatively, which means he can push the envelope of thought and then execute on it,” says Cameron Wyatt, vice president of design and supply chain at Western Window Systems.

One example of Hoekstra’s success is the work he did on the Series 670 Window department.

“When Kraig first started, he spent time observing the department and MS Panel Processing to understand how to create one-piece flow,” says manufacturing engineer Josh Katz. “He asked the right questions of the team to level out the work and then helped make it happen.”

It’s the unflappable nature of Hoekstra, who started with Western Window Systems in December 2014, that makes him such an invaluable team member and teacher, someone who works with others to help them understand complicated engineering concepts.

“Kraig is extremely calm under pressure,” says vice president of manufacturing Dean Seger. “In fact, he would have the same reaction to his house burning down as he would to winning the lottery.”

Congratulations to Kraig Hoekstra, Western Window Systems’ office employee of the month for October.

Learn more about Kraig Hoekstra by reading his Q&A:

Where are you from?
Tucson.

What song best sums you up?
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” by Led Zeppelin.

What is your favorite sport to watch or play?
Track and field.

What are your hobbies?
Running and classic cars.

Who do you look up to or admire?
Mickey Thompson (race car driver).

Where do you most want to travel but have never been?
China, Japan, and New Zealand.

If money were no object, what would you do all day?
Design and build cars.

What is your favorite family recipe?
Enchiladas.

What’s your favorite movie?
Super Troopers.

What is your biggest success up until now?
Marrying my wife.

What’s your favorite part of working at Western Window Systems?
There are always new challenges.

What is one fact about you that almost no one knows?
My fingers are double jointed.