A decade-long hiring and training practice that fuels innovation through shared understanding

ROCKFORD, Mich. (March 3, 2026) At Byrne, innovation doesn’t start with ideas alone. It starts with understanding how things work.

For more than a decade, Byrne’s hiring and training process has included hands-on time in manufacturing and across operations before employees begin their hired roles. The experience connects people to the craft behind the work and to the teams who make Byrne products every day.

Byrne is known for pioneering new opportunities and embracing emerging technology, moving quickly with the market and then pushing beyond it. That pace is powered by people who are wired to tinker, question, and improve. Engineers, specialists, and problem-solvers who collaborate, iterate, and work together to make things better.

To do that well, employees need more than theory. They need firsthand knowledge of how products are built, how processes connect, and where opportunities for improvement begin.

“Our culture of innovation is rooted in curiosity and collaboration,” said Yani Castro, Director of Human Resources at Byrne. “Spending time in operations gives people the context they need to solve problems thoughtfully and improve the work in meaningful ways.”

New hires work alongside manufacturing teammates, learning the flow, the standards, and the realities behind each step of the process. The experience builds respect, sharpens perspective, and creates relationships that carry forward long after the first week.

For Trina Lichtenwalner, a newly hired Product Manager, the experience shaped how she approaches her role from day one.

“Being able to see, touch, and understand how products come together gave me a much deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and precision behind the work,” said Lichtenwalner. “That firsthand experience has already shaped how I think about product decisions and collaboration.”

Byrne often uses the phrase “We Make Byrne” to celebrate teamwork, collaboration, and shared wins. That mindset is reinforced through experiences like this one, where people start with a common foundation and a shared respect for the work.

“A shared beginning creates a shared standard,” said Dan Byrne, CEO of Byrne. “When people understand the process and the people behind it, they collaborate better, innovate smarter, and take pride in what we build together.”

While the details of the experience vary by role and location, the purpose remains the same: connect every employee to the work, the people, and the process so improvement is continuous and innovation is practical.