Unstoppable People - Akshay Patil - Process Improvement Engineer

Milliken’s Unstoppable People series highlights Milliken & Company associates who guide us to success and embody our values: integrity, excellence, innovation, sustainability, and people.

Milliken innovation defines our portfolio of more than 11,000 textile, specialty chemical, flooring, and healthcare products. As Akshay Patil can tell you, it even influences how we make these products.

“I’m a Process Improvement Engineer responsible for the performance side of our four Millitron machines at the Live Oak Plant. This technology plays a big part in our ability to manufacture broadloom carpet and modular carpet tiles.”

What is Millitron, you might ask?

“Millitron is our in-house developed technology that allows us to make patterns and designs on carpets using PrintWorks.” This printing technology was a huge advancement when it was first developed in the 1980s, and it continues to be a key differentiator in Milliken carpets today. The vivid colors, crisp patterns, and luxurious designs that have come to define Milliken’s carpet portfolio are largely thanks to Milliken’s unparalleled research and design capabilities, which brought about Millitron.

Millitron machines are now part of Milliken’s floor covering manufacturing footprint globally, but it takes a team of associates to operate and refine this fleet. Akshay leads the maintenance and operational excellence component at Live Oak Plant, constantly fine-tuning the technology to suit our customers. “I focus on the quality of the carpet from a customer standpoint. I always like to look at the carpet and imagine if I were the customer, would I be satisfied with what is being produced?”

Originally from India, Akshay came to the U.S. in 2017 to complete his master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. His background in electrical engineering supported his progression, and upon completing his graduate degree, he pursued a career in process improvement, which ultimately led him to join Milliken two years ago.

Akshay has made an impact in the short time he’s been here. In addition to keeping the critical Millitron machines up and running, he led a Milliken Performance System (MPS) project that developed significant process recommendations to improve the business’s operational efficiency, productivity, safety, and quality approaches.

But above all, Akshay values the innovative spirit found throughout Milliken—especially when it supports his own growth. “About six months into my role at Milliken, I completed my Green Belt 6 Sigma Green Belt project, which focused on reducing variation on the Millitron machine. This project led to a 50-to-60% reduction in variation across Millitron, helping increase efficiency and reduce product waste and resource consumption.”

Want to join our team of #UnstoppablePeople? Visit our careers webpage to learn more about your next opportunity.

Do you know an Unstoppable Person you’d like to recognize? Nominate them at [email protected].