2011 Leader Under 40: Andrew Schaus, 30
Vice President of Operations, Microplastics Inc.
Plant Engineering Staff
Andrew Schaus, 30 
Vice President of Operations, Microplastics Inc.
Years at Microplastics Inc.: 7
Supervisor: Brad Plane
Education: M.Eng., University of Illinois
Andrew’s contributions: “From his initial projects in automation as an intern to today's focused leadership as vice president of operations, Andrew's contributions to Microplastics have been a significant factor to our growth, profitability, and industry recognition. Andrew has been a driving force in the continuous improvement of our insert molding, automation, facilities maintenance, and process flow. He promotes open communication with our customers to enhance quality and service while working tirelessly to ensure a smooth-running, three-shift, seven-day operation. What more can be said of a manager, other than he makes everyone around him better.”
Why a career in manufacturing? “I have always been fascinated with how things worked and knew I would become an engineer like my father. As my interests developed with age, I became more intrigued with how things were made. After my undergraduate degree, I received an internship at a small plastics company, Microplastics. Microplastics is a technically advanced organization which provided me with many opportunities to learn and develop. Manufacturing is a daily challenge filled with tight deadlines and complex problems. Yet, as an engineer, I find these challenges are exciting and they provide me with the opportunity to continually improve and learn.”
Return to the complete list of the 2011 Leaders Under 40.
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2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.