Infused

Meet Mike Bartholomew: A Q&A with Allentown’s Vice President and General Manager

We recently sat down with Mike Bartholomew, Vice President and General Manager of Allentown Operations, to learn more about his role and B. Braun’s manufacturing presence in the Lehigh Valley. 

What has your career path looked like?

“I recently celebrated my 28th anniversary at B. Braun. My time with the company has led me across the country and throughout various levels of the organization.

I was hired in 1997 as a 3rd shift production supervisor and eventually held roles as a lead supervisor on day shift and as a production manager. After gaining experience across different business units, including Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) and Pharmacy Admixture, I was promoted from Director of our Pennsylvania operations to Interim Plant Manager of our Allentown operations in 2010. From there, I spent time at our Irvine, California, and Carrollton, Texas facilities, which provided valuable exposure to B. Braun’s manufacturing sites across the country. In 2021, I returned to Allentown and assumed my current role.

Having the opportunity to work in so many diverse roles gave me a breadth of knowledge across all areas of the business, from improving quality and automation in Irvine to the day-to-day operations in Allentown.”

How do the products manufactured at the B. Braun Allentown facility impact patients?

“We manufacture lifesaving, life sustaining products to improve patients’ health and provide safety for clinicians who are utilizing our products. In Allentown, we turn resin into finished medical devices, producing about 480 million finished sterile devices annually, along with about 1.89 billion components used by other B. Braun sites. In addition, our OEM business unit develops and manufactures components and products for many customers in the life sciences industry.

It’s always reassuring to see our devices in use and to hear from so many employees who breathe a sigh of relief when they see a B. Braun device in the patient care setting because they know the quality behind it.”

Why is giving back to the local community important to B. Braun and to you?

“Employees are the product of our community, and our community is a product of our employees. For us to be successful, we need to make sure we support local schools, universities, cultural organizations, and other non-profits that help make the Lehigh Valley a place where current and potential employees want to live and raise their families. In my own experience, the Lehigh Valley has transformed from a heavily industrial area to more of a technology and innovation-focused economic region. It’s been a positive transition and I’m proud of the role B. Braun and our employees have played to build up our communities.” 

Why would you recommend manufacturing as a career path for people considering their future?

“I love manufacturing because of the competitive nature. Every day is a new game – the scoreboard goes back to zeros. What I love about manufacturing is the ability to change and influence the outcome every day. In manufacturing, you will never be bored. Each day there are new challenges, wins, and opportunities to turn challenges into wins. Manufacturing does require a unique mindset – it’s one of the most accountable roles and the most tracked role, with clear measurable performance indicators. It’s constantly about finding a better way to do things.

Manufacturing also offers an alternative career path for those considering their future. Right here in Allentown, we are proud to employ and train apprentices and interns in the manufacturing field. As a company, B. Braun was the driving force behind iTEC—the Industrial Training and Education Consortium of the Lehigh Valley—a regional apprenticeship program. We are continuing to invest in the future, and with that comes the need for a quality, skilled workforce to help us be successful.”

Infused Editorial Team