Brady Forbes
Project engineer | Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. | Age: 25
What was your first job in the industry?
My first job in the industry was project engineering (2019). I led the major projects within my department to install new equipment.
What attracted you to the industry?
The possibility of having something new to work on every day. Each day has a new set of challenges, and excitement while working in the manufacturing facility. I could be working on a different tire machine, bead processor or even equipment.
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
While learning the job and industry is a challenge on its own, throwing in a global pandemic certainly takes the cake. Learning the people and process while handling supply shortages and schedule changes has been a large part of my career. I will continue to learn more about the industry and process for as long as I can work in this field.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Hands down my father has played the biggest role in molding me into the man I am today. However, for influence in the career it would be my electrical engineer/counterpart, Glenn Brownlee. He has always made time to help me in any and every way possible.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
My biggest accomplishment was beating the plant’s record for installing a VMI Maxx Unistage Tire Building Machine. Nineteen working days from the start of install to first tire out. Without the help of the team we would not have been able to accomplish this.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your work day?
I work as the manufacturing engineer/project engineering role within the tire assembly department. I am in charge of all new equipment coming in or out of the department, along with assisting maintenance on issues or tasks. My day-to-day changes for the most part. I could spend all day working in the office on projects, I could be on the manufacturing floor overseeing an install, and I could be elbow deep measuring a part on an older machine for maintenance.
What’s one thing you wish someone would have told you before you took your current job?
How fast the market and decisions change. I started just before COVID shut most everything down and we were working on upgrading to newer machines. This was already going to be a challenge, but as the projects progressed the market changed which required the projects to change with it. This position has to always be flexible.
Tell us about your family.
I grew up in Texarkana with three brothers. All of us have gone into different careers and are doing well. My wife, Abby, and I have been married for three years and are expecting our first-born in April. We also just got our second dog.
How do you recover from a bad or stressful day?
I have a woodworking hobby. I build small projects for myself and my family. My wife says I don’t know how to be still.
Name one thing you wish the average American better understood about the tire industry?
The amount of effort and passion people put into their jobs within the industry. I know many of our employees that only put tires that they handmade onto their own vehicles.
If you could have lunch with a celebrity, who would it be, and why?
I do not have a personal pick, but someone like Homer, Plato or Socrates. To be able to sit and just hear their stories and ideas would be nice.
Name a talent you wish you had.
Singing. I can occasionally carry a tune in a bucket, but the bucket leaks.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
I believe it is the parts and labor shortages around the world. This is a time in which nothing is certain and plans could change within a heartbeat.
Tell us your biggest pet peeve.
When an important face-to-face conversation is interrupted by a non-important phone call.
What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
The last book that I have completed was the “Lorax” by Dr. Seuss, But I am working on “The Symposium,” by Plato.
If a tire dealer asked you for advice to find good employees, what would you suggest?
You want to find someone that is willing to do any and all jobs that are within the company. That goes from a janitor to the CEO. They still need to be able to perform both jobs with the same passion and care.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
I would like to be in a higher level of management like plant engineering manager or production manager. But I also want to be available for the best position that I could fill within the company.
