Luis Granja, plant manager, United States

Years with AD

Character

Family

Interest

Engineer

What attracted you to your chosen work?

Building things that last. Manufacturing is not for the faint of heart, and the pressure to hit targets is real. What attracted me the most to this work is the ability to shape the environment. I enjoy the challenge of establishing systems that support the team and creating a culture where people actually want to show up and do their best work.

When the shop floor feels like a place where safety and quality are built-in values and non-negotiable, it creates an environment where the team takes pride in what they do. That pride is what carries on and creates long-term sustainable success for any site.

What skills did you develop early that are still useful today?

My early foundation in industrial engineering and lean manufacturing has been vital. These skills help identify opportunities for improvement by focusing on low-hanging fruit first, followed by implementing long-term, sustainable processes that can be built upon through continuous improvement tools.

How have you grown in your career at Avery Dennison?

I came into Avery Dennison with multi-site experience, but my time here has really pushed me to sharpen my focus on the 'business' of the plant. It’s a lean environment with aggressive financial targets. My growth has come from learning how to navigate that tension and staying disciplined with the budget while still protecting the site culture, keeping operations running safely and maintaining our high-quality standards.

What's the biggest stretch opportunity you've taken on?

The biggest stretch opportunity I’ve taken was managing three distinct manufacturing sites as a Regional Plant Manager. The complexity was high, as I was overseeing everything from high-volume joint compound production to custom wood ceiling fabrication.

When one site experienced explosive growth, I was tasked with leading the capital investment needed to support this growth and beyond. I had to develop the business case for a complete relocation, which involved selecting a new facility and overseeing the installation of entirely new production infrastructure. This pushed me to balance long-term strategic planning with the daily operational needs of three very different plants, eventually enabling the site to support business growth from $4 Million to $20 Million annually.

...success is always about the team doing the work. I get the most satisfaction from providing the leadership and systems that enable them to do their jobs safely, make the products right, and make lots of them.

What role has mentorship played in your career?

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my professional path. Early in my career, I was lucky enough to report to leaders who gave me opportunities to push myself out of my comfort zone and accelerate my professional development. Alan Maki, retired VP of Operations, and Marc Bartolomei, VP of Operations, have been long-standing sources of professional insight that have helped me get to where I am today.

What's the best career decision you've ever made?

Becoming a plant manager 11 years ago. I was able to combine my technical industrial engineering background with people leadership, which eventually led me to Avery Dennison!

As you think about the next steps in your career, what are the most important actions you plan to take?

I’ve never been one to chase a specific title; I go where the challenges are. My next step is to find those complex situations, like a major relocation or a culture shift and leave a lasting, positive impact. This means taking the necessary actions to bridge the gap between ambitious financial targets and the daily needs of the plant floor, ensuring the site is sustainable in the long term.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

For me, success is always about the team doing the work. I get the most satisfaction from providing the leadership and systems that enable them to do their jobs safely, make the products right, and make lots of them. If they have what they need to hit those marks, I know I’ve done my part.

Manufacturing Appreciation Month Reflections

What is a product or project you’ve worked on that makes you proud when you see it out in the real world?

Every time I see our Graphics products out in the wild, I’m reminded of the amount of effort it takes to get the product to our customer’s hands. The pride isn’t just in the physical item, it’s knowing the precision, safety standards, and team effort on the plant floor required to make that high-quality product, consistently and on time.

If you had to explain the impact of your daily work to someone who has never heard of Avery Dennison, how would you describe it?

I lead a team whose primary focus is to make the highest quality products as safely and efficiently as possible. My daily impact comes from engaging with our team to make sure we are building the systems, processes and culture that allow us to do this day in and day out, ensuring our people go home safe, while delivering products our customers can rely on.

What is a misconception people often have about modern manufacturing that you’d love to debunk?

People often think of manufacturing as dark, dirty, or purely mechanical work. In reality, modern manufacturing is driven by high-tech systems, the relentless focus on continuous improvement, and teamwork. It’s a dynamic field where culture, problem-solving, and engineering come together every day to build long-term, sustainable operations.

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Life at AD