faces of the frontline: manufacturing’s all stars

When Rudy Laynez arrived in the United States 12 years ago, he began his journey at  St. Clair Foods in Memphis, Tennessee, stacking pallets, pushing potato carts, and working in the prep area. It was a humble start, but Rudy saw every task as an opportunity to prove himself. Over time, he took on bigger responsibilities, operating complex machinery like the Delkor packing system, earning him the trust of his supervisors and peers. 

In his current role as Production Lead, Rudy oversees operations across multiple production lines. He’s also a Redzone master who specializes in getting buy-in from employees while maintaining his place as the “encouragement champion” at the plant. His outstanding performance made him one of six finalists — out of 200 nominations and 1,500 companies — for the annual Redzone Frontline Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Spearheading the Adoption of Redzone

When St. Clair initially brought in Redzone, the connected workforce platform for frontline team collaboration, half of his coworkers resisted the change. Rudy, however, was excited. He immediately saw how Redzone could benefit him, his coworkers, and the plant and became an expert in the software. 

He combined his technical expertise, hands-on approach, and great communication skills to share Redzone’s benefits in a way that made people feel supported and comfortable. He trained employees on different features and helped employees understand how the tool could benefit them on the floor. “I tell them, ‘You can see how many boxes you can run per minute or see production progress throughout the day,’” says Rudy. “If they don’t speak English, I say, ‘You can use Redzone’s translation program.’”

By mastering the tool and using Redzone consistently and effectively, Rudy demonstrated the tool’s tangible benefits and set a strong example for others to follow. He credits Redzone with helping him learn more and be more engaged at St. Clair. “One thing I like about Redzone is that when the line is green, people get excited,” says Rudy. “I get excited, too.”

Additionally, as one of the members of the first digital Kaizen at St. Clair, Rudy learned processes for identifying problems, testing and evaluating machines, and saving time on the production line. This experience helped him grow as an employee, gave him information to keep lines running on time, and gave him valuable problem-solving skills.  

Exceptional Leadership on the Plant Floor

While other supervisors manage their assigned production lines, Rudy floats across all six lines, going where needed. That’s made him the “go-to guy” — the person everyone calls when challenges arise. Whether it’s stepping in to support a specific production line, helping resolve employee concerns, or ensuring smooth communication between teams, Rudy’s knowledge of the machinery and willingness to assist across six production lines have become invaluable to the company. “If you have a question, go get him,” says Tim Alford, Production Manager. “If you need a translation, go get him. He’s the man.”

Rudy’s leadership extends beyond logistics and efficiency. He pays special attention to boosting people’s morale by handing out over 300 “high-fives” and “great catches.” His colleagues frequently point out his knack for connecting with team members and creating an environment where everyone feels valued.“Rudy’s one of the first people to give high fives and tell his lines that they’ve done a great job,” says Dawn Blank, Production Manager.

Rudy is also a great believer in leading by example. When he noticed that the Delkor packing line was crushing boxes, he took photos in Redzone to document the damage. The photos showed that the boxes were cut too high and didn’t fold in the right place, which caused damage. He sent the photos to the Purchasing department so they could correct the problem with the vendor.

Cross-Departmental Impact 

Rudy’s thoughtful and inclusive approach helped him bridge the gap between technology and people. Working cross-departmentally, he’s helped people learn not only how to use Redzone but also how to drive positive change across the organization.

Rudy’s contributions have been instrumental in driving St. Clair Foods’ gains in operational efficiency and employee engagement. Since adopting Redzone, the company’s overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) has risen from 30% to a consistent average in the low 60s. In Production Room Two, the designated area for Redzone testing and implementation, OEE regularly hits the low 70s and sometimes breaks into the low 80s — an impressive achievement by industry standards. 

While St. Clair’s OEE uplift was a company-wide effort, Rudy’s coworkers were quick to point out his positive influence on employees and production. “Rudy is a huge part of the uplift that we’ve experienced here,” says Lacey Sims, ERP Administrator.

Legacy of Positivity and Excellence

Rudy’s coworkers rely on him for his calm demeanor, clear communication, and his knowledge of operations. They praise his adaptability and readiness to step in wherever needed, noting how he often bridges gaps between teams and ensures production lines run smoothly. “He’s always there when I need him,” says Yareli Castellon, HR Manager.

Rudy is driven to succeed, as is evident by his willingness to step into leadership roles and master new technology. He’s noted for his meticulous documentation of issues in Redzone, making detailed notes for specific lines to help pinpoint and fix issues and improve productivity.

His desire to learn, his work ethic, and his connection with his coworkers have made Rudy a trusted leader and colleague. With the recent purchase of his first home with his family, his personal achievements mirror his professional success, showing his commitment to building a better future for himself and his loved ones. “He never backs down from a challenge, no matter what it is,” says Dawn.

For Rudy, positivity isn’t just about morale — it’s a tool for progress. From his earliest days as a pallet stacker to his current role as a Production Lead, he has been a steadfast source of encouragement and motivation for his colleagues. He is committed to positivity and building an inspiring workplace culture and deserves every accolade he receives. “Rudy is my MVP, today and every day,” says Tim.

Want to know more? Read about more Faces of the Frontline, and their stories stories in our ebook.