Bryan Mullett, president and CEO of Bradley Corp., believes a successful company stems from hiring good people and trusting them to execute. BIC Magazine sat down with Mullett to learn more about how Bradley is celebrating its 95th year and what’s in store for this fifth-generation family-owned business.
Q: What led to your position at Bradley?
A: Since Bradley is a fifth-generation family-owned business, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to obtain key knowledge and insights relative to commercial plumbing manufacturing from my father and grandfather. That experience has been extraordinary and invaluable in forming my career path.
I took on my first management position at Bradley in 1997 as sales manager for the Washroom Accessory Division. I then worked as national sales manager for Lenox Lockers, followed by director of corporate customer relations.
After learning the front end of the business, I was assigned a vice president role in charge of plumbing fixtures operations, which included codes, purchasing, floor operations, lean initiatives and quality. In 2011, I was appointed president before being named chief strategy officer. This summer I was named CEO of Bradley.
Q: What is the biggest news at Bradley right now?
A: This year marks the 95th year of Bradley being in the business of commercial plumbing innovation and serving the industrial safety and commercial hand-washing markets. We are celebrating that longevity with our employees — and within our community — by participating in various activities such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Heart Association Heart Walk, through which we can give back to the community.
As always, Bradley is innovating products for all of its product lines, and we’re especially excited about new technology we’re adding to our line of tankless water heating systems and emergency shower and eye, face wash fixtures. In fact, our new Emergency Signaling System, which notifies safety personnel when and where an emergency occurs, debuted at the ASSE Professional Development Conference & Exposition in June. Aside from that, Bradley has been expanding its global vision and reach into Middle Eastern markets and recently opened a sales office in Dubai.
Q: What is your best management tactic?
A: Building a company with great people and creating a family work culture are my best management strategies. Simply stated, a successful company stems from hiring good people and then trusting them to execute. Even a company with the best products, services or technology cannot thrive if its employees aren’t engaged with the mission, vision and values of the company’s leadership.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
A: Lee Iacocca has one that emulates my philosophy of fostering a tight-knit family atmosphere. He once said, “I hire people brighter than me and I get out of their way.” As managers, we need to work hard at being good listeners. Listen to your employees’ opinions. This will take your company from good to great.
Q: What is a “fun fact” about you people might not know?
A: In the past year, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be a supporter and partner in a new public-private educational/jobs partnership with a local high school: Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. This unique educational venture is called the Design Engineering Manufacturing Center, and it is designed to expose high school students interested in the trades to real-world manufacturing and skilled trade curriculum and experiences.
For more information, visit www.bradleycorp.com or call (262) 251-6000.
