For 42 years, Braun Industries has been family-owned and operated, building custom, handcrafted ambulances. Dedication to long-term customer relationships, commitment to quality, and unique innovations can be found behind every ambulance we build.

Now under the leadership of the third generation, we wanted to talk to two of the Braun family members about growing up in the ambulance business. Today, we’re featuring Kim Braun, the current President of Braun Industries.

Q: Did you work anywhere besides Braun prior to joining the company?

A: Yes, I worked for St. Vincent’s Hospital as an Administrative Assistant.

Q: What made you decide to join the company?  

A: Braun ambulances have always been a part of who I was and what I knew. There was no question that I would return to Braun after attending college.

Q: What was your first job in the company?

A: I was in Accounting - Accounts Receivable. I learned quickly that I couldn’t sit still and look at numbers all day long. I spent the next twelve years in Human Resources, which was a great experience, and then transitioned into the general management of the company.

Q: What was the most memorable thing you learned from your father? 

A: I must have a passion for the company, the product, and the people. If I didn’t, it would show in my performance as a leader and owner. He also taught me that life is too short; spend it doing something you love.

Q: What was the most memorable thing you learned from your mother?

A: The best gauge of how well you are doing as a leader is how well the company performs when you are not there…you must have a strong team leading the organization.  She was also a very big advocate of treating the business like a family member. You have to educate, reinvest, nurture, and build the relationship…then watch it grow.

Q: What is the best thing about working for a family business?

A: It is very special being a part of creating a legacy that has impacted millions of patients, thousands of customers, and hundreds of employees.

Q: What makes working for a family-owned business so unique?  

A: We have a great perspective on the future needs of the organization. We place a strong emphasis on the short term decision and their impact on the long term sustainable growth of the business. We are never pressured to make short term decisions just to make a stock price look good.

Q: What is your best advice for other family-owned businesses?  

A: Having a board of directors has been a significant element of our company growth and success. Hold consistent family meetings so you always have the same key objectives for the organization and work together to develop the strategies to achieve them.

Q: What are your plans for the next generation? 

A: Some of our fourth generation have already started working during the summer. We have requirements for our family members to be a part of the business, including education, external work experience, skill sets for the position, etc.

Q: What are you most proud of at Braun? 

A: We have held steady to our core values for over three generations—Passion, Integrity, Quality, Relationships.

Q: What do you want to be remembered for during your time as a leader at Braun?  

A: “On matters of style, go with the flow. On matters of integrity, stand like a rock.”

Under Kim’s leadership, Braun ambulances is currently expanding to meet industry demands and enhance our product offerings. In 2013, we released our newest model - The Responder, and in 2014 we are set to launch our EZ 02 Lift oxygen storage compartment and lift. Stop by Booth #3357 at FDIC 2014 to see both on display, and meet Kim Braun in person.