MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, is pleased to announce Carl Byrne, President & CEO of Byrne Dairy, Inc., as the 2024 Manufacturers Wall of Fame inductee, and Tyler Robillard, Director of Engineering of Feldmeier Equipment, Inc., as this year’s Innovator of the Year. They will be honored by MACNY members and community leaders at MACNY’s 111th Annual Celebration of Manufacturing on May 23, 2024, at the SRC Arena & Events Center in Syracuse, NY.
ABOUT CARL BYRNE
Byrne Dairy celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023. Over the years, Carl Byrne has transformed the company from a small local milk company to a major dairy supplier throughout the United States and beyond. As a member of the third generation of the Byrne family to operate the dairy, Carl began his career developing a customer base and managing a convenience store in the Rochester, NY area. Later, as Vice President of Sales, Carl’s vision of moving into extended shelf life (ESL) dairy and non-dairy products resulted in the construction of the Byrne Dewitt facility in 2004. Since becoming President & CEO in 2008, Carl has overseen five expansions at the plant, which now includes over 200,000 square feet of processing, production, packaging, and warehouse space, and employs over 250 Central New Yorkers. Additionally, Carl has directed the growth of a sister ESL facility in Cortlandville, NY and Byrne’s Ice Cream Center in Syracuse.
In 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when other manufacturers were cutting back on employees and facilities, Carl saw the opportunity to further expand Byrne’s footprint by entering the aseptic dairy market. Using the most technologically advanced equipment available, Byrne is now producing shelf stable (no refrigeration needed) dairy products that can be shipped around the world. This bold move has positioned Byrne to be at the forefront of dairy manufacturing by giving customers in the United States and beyond the ability to buy ESL and aseptic dairy products.
Carl’s focus on his employees is never-ending. He has strengthened Byrne’s safety, HR, and training teams, brought compensation up to meet/exceed local markets, supported his teams to help offset rising fuel and food costs, maintained an annual and semi-annual bonus program, and has provided channels for employees to bring their ideas for improvement to the forefront. His commitment to the community and customers has never wavered. Byrne donates to schools and community groups throughout each year.
With a dedicated and well-trained workforce of over 550 employees and Carl Byrne’s leadership, Byrne is positioned to continue to grow into the future.
ABOUT TYLER ROBILLARD
Tyler Robillard has been with Feldmeier Equipment, Inc. for 15 years, joining the company in 2009 after graduating from the University of Buffalo with his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Within a few short years, Tyler grew the Design Engineer role into a Project Engineering position. After successfully managing some of Feldmeier’s largest pharmaceutical projects, he was promoted to Engineering Manager, then most recently serving as Director of Engineering.
Working for the leading manufacturer of custom hygienic equipment for production of pharmaceutical/biotech, food, dairy, beverage, and cosmetic products, Tyler is entrusted with leading a team of 16 engineers that continuously develop innovative components and products for Feldmeier’s customers. His name has been applied and attributed to patent filings beginning in 2018 and he is the co-inventor on two additional patent pending designs. These components are revolutionizing the cleanability of Feldmeier’s custom tanks and pressure vessels, specifically supplied to their pharmaceutical customers who require the most hygienic equipment and processes developing lifesaving treatments. These innovations have helped Feldmeier become recognized as the best and only company in the Western Hemisphere to specialize in this level of sanitation processing.
Tyler’s innovation reaches beyond engineering and patent projects, including process and procedural improvements that impact every aspect of the company. While witnessing rapid growth in volume, revenue, and customer expectations, Tyler had the foresight to lead an initiative to improve documentation, training, and implementation of an ISO equivalent system of Standard Operating Procedures.
Tyler is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), serving on multiple subcommittees. He is also the Task Group leader of a team that is developing an ASME Bioprocessing Equipment Certification program for Metallic Vessels.
Tyler’s approach to success involves collaboration between all departments, applying engineering principles anywhere possible, treating every situation as a challenge and an opportunity for improvement. Feldmeier continues to thrive because of leaders like Tyler that mentor, adapt, and innovate.
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Manufacturers Wall of Fame
With his induction into the Manufacturers Wall of Fame, Carl Byrne will be joining a prestigious group of manufacturing leaders who have been honored since the Wall of Fame’s inception in 2001. The Manufacturers Wall of Fame celebrates individuals who have demonstrated long-term dedication to manufacturing in Central and Upstate New York. To view a listing of previous Wall of Fame Inductees, visit https://www.macny.org/about/wall-of-fame/.
Innovator of the Year
The Innovator of the Year Award was created at the suggestion of MACNY members, as a way to nominate and recognize individuals within a company who consistently demonstrate forward thinking ideas in the areas of technology, innovation, and advancement of products and production.
To learn more about the event, visit MACNY’s 111th Celebration of Manufacturing page or email [email protected].