{"id":788,"date":"2023-08-30T14:54:46","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T14:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/2023\/08\/30\/meet-the-maltings-manager-for-malteurop-canada-kevin-kull-malts-best-wingman\/"},"modified":"2023-08-30T14:54:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T14:54:46","slug":"meet-the-maltings-manager-for-malteurop-canada-kevin-kull-malts-best-wingman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/news\/meet-the-maltings-manager-for-malteurop-canada-kevin-kull-malts-best-wingman\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Maltings Manager for Malteurop Canada: Kevin Kull, Malt\u2019s Best Wingman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kevin Kull was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with both his grandfather and father working in the same malthouse as he does now.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By: Living a Stout Life<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About Malteurop Malting Company (MMC)<\/h3>\n

We are a collective of craftsmen devoted to making exceptional malt. We are innovators, designers, scientists, farmers, brewers and artists. We are your link from farm to beer, and we want you to know us as a vital part of the craft beer community.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our business is craft. Our craft is malt. Our malt is your business.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Meet Kevin Kull<\/h3>\n

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with both his grandfather and father working in the same malthouse as he does now, one might say that Kevin\u2019s malting future was predetermined.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today, his current view from his bedroom window is that same malthouse\u2019s towering elevator. While his future may not have been set in stone, the roots were planted for this third generation maltster years before Malteurop even entered the picture.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Since 1941, Kevin has had a family member working at this same plant. So when a summer opportunity at the plant presented itself to him when he was attending university, he figured, why not? Thirty-three years and four different malting companies later, Kevin has risen his way up the ladder and is now the Maltings Manager for Malteurop Canada, heading up the Winnipeg plant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To learn more about Malteurop\u2019s story, click here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is your educational background?<\/h3>\n

This seems like a natural pathway given that both his grandfather and father built their careers in this same malthouse. But Kevin\u2019s original career goals had nothing to do with the malthouse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In fact, they didn\u2019t even have anything to do with manual labor. His educational background started in accounting. However, once that summer position at the malthouse started, he got a taste of both worlds. And that taste drastically changed his professional trajectory.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOnce I was doing both, I found the physical atmosphere [of the malthouse] was more fulfilling, and it was better than sitting at a desk and crunching numbers all day. Then, at the end of the day, I saw the fruits of my labor as I could go out and have a beer after work and realize I had something to do with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Granted, he didn\u2019t just simply switch from accounting to where he is now without additional education. Throughout his malting career, Kevin has completed several manufacturing and management courses. Courses such as the Lean and Six Sigma Methodology through Villanova University in Winnipeg. Both focus on business practices that provide streamline processes increasing both productivity and efficiency.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wanting to know as much about the malting process as he did about management and manufacturing, early on in his career, he jumped on the chance to enroll in Malteurop\u2019s malting course along with courses offered at the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Center in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Decades later, Kevin is far from done learning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI recently got my certificate in craft brewing through Cornell University to get a better understanding of what the craft brewers are going through and to be able to have more informed discussions with them regarding quality and issues in brewing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Recognizing that getting good quality malt into the market takes a team, he jokes that he could  also be a Craft Sales Manager<\/span><\/a>, actually more like their wingman.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re their wingmen. We set it up (the conversation) and they finish it off.\u201d Teamwork makes the dream work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to see how Kevin has been in the malting business for decades, but his education started long before he even set foot in the malthouse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How did you decide to be a plant manager for a malting company?<\/h3>\n

Was there ever really a decision to be made? With both his father and grandfather in the malting business, and now he, and his son, we think not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exposed to the business and the industry early in life and finding it interesting even as he attended university for accounting, that summer opportunity at the malthouse that had always been just down the street from him was all it took. That and an opportunity to work there full time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Starting first in sanitation and operations, Kevin began his malting career washing floors, sweeping, and hauling grain. With dedication and education, he worked his way up through many roles, departments, and malting companies. So when Malteurop finally purchased this staple Winnipeg malthouse in 2005, he was embedded in the culture of malting, management, and quality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a never turn back now situation and as opportunities came along, I jumped on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now with more than 30 years of experience, Kevin recognizes that genetics might just play a role in his longevity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad started when he was 18 and retired at 65. Maybe it’s built into me genetically to be a long-serving kinda person.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We\u2019d like to think that it was his passion for malt and the liquid products that come from it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What does your average day look like?<\/h3>\n

Whether it\u2019s genetics, passion, or more than likely a combination of both, Kevin\u2019s commitment to Malteurop and his employees is evidenced in all that he does. And all he does is no simple task.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Starting his morning around 5:30 am to ensure the quality of the barley coming in and the malts going out, he and his team review lab results and shipment plans. As the day goes on, you\u2019ll find him on the plant floor more than behind his desk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While team meetings are necessary to keep safety a priority, to maintain a balanced budget, and to bring about innovation in the field, Kevin believes it\u2019s just as important to be a part of the actual process of the plant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a hands-on, out-in-the-field kinda guy. I\u2019m not a desk guy, so if my door is closed, I\u2019m in a meeting. I still get involved in the quality and the shipping and am still on the floor. I don’t rule with an iron fist. I like to think I’m fair but sometimes people don’t agree with me, but someone has to make a decision at some point, so that ultimately comes down to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And being hands-on, Kevin has a deeper understanding of his employees. Recognizing that there are many generations in the plant, each with their own understanding of the world and the workforce, Kevin acknowledges that what motivates and inspires one generation or person may not have the same effect on another. It\u2019s not that he treats people differently, it\u2019s that he understands that people aren\u2019t one size fits all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s that combination of skills that makes Kevin a valuable asset to the Malteurop team.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaking sure the company is profitable and has longevity is important because then I know my employees and myself have a job to come to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are some of your career accomplishments?<\/h3>\n

Speaking of longevity, you can be sure that Kevin has amassed a few accomplishments in his lustrous career in malting and at Malteurop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Running the elevator for six years, Kevin is very proud of the fact that he never once had a shipment returned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the accomplishments that Kevin is most proud of is the plant\u2019s safety record. However, it\u2019s not really about the numbers on paper nor is it all about him. It\u2019s about how the entire team works together to create a safe environment.<\/p>\n

________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To learn more about Malteurop\u2019s safety culture, click here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make sure my employees go home safe. Even something as small as a cut matters. And safety is not about discipline. It\u2019s about showing that you care about people and their well-being, empowering the employees to have a conversation with each other about safety as well. It\u2019s that thought of everyone caring about one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe truly care about our employees. It\u2019s not just a tick on the box that we talked about safety; it\u2019s actually caring about the employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do you work with others at MMC to get your partners what they need?<\/h3>\n

And that caring attitude expands beyond the company itself, to MMC\u2019s partners. Ensuring that each and every team member has what they need to create a quality product encompasses everyone involved in the industry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So when a brewer or distiller has a need or an issue or even just a question, the entire MMC team gets behind the solution if the need arises.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on the issues, if we all need to get involved to look into root causes of something that needs to be addressed, we will.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Kevin doesn\u2019t even want it to get to that point. Holding monthly or biweekly calls with customers, he can stay ahead of the game with a goal of addressing possible concerns before they even have a chance of becoming an issue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s this support that Kevin believes sets Malteurop apart from other companies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMalteurop is very customer sensitive. We want to be more of a partner to help come up with a quality product at the end. It\u2019s in both of our best interests that they have a good product because the customers are going to consume more beer which means more sales for us. But at the end of the day, we want to be proud of what we supplied, and the brewer wants to be proud of what they are putting out there, as well. It goes hand in hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where do you see the future of malting heading?<\/h3>\n

Holding a managerial position means working as a team with both outside partners and everyone within the company. It\u2019s that teamwork that helps Kevin see Winnipeg becoming a bigger player on the craft side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some big brewers are experiencing a decline, as miniscule as it might be, and that decline can possibly give small craft brewers a benefit. The playing field might never be even – there will always be big and small breweries – but with continuously advancing technological and logistical processes, more craft breweries are gaining access into the distribution side of things and Malteurop is excited to be along for the ride.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favorite style of beer and why?<\/h3>\n

And what goes brilliantly after a long ride? Beer, of course. Working in the malting industry, we had to know what Kevin\u2019s drink of choice was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m strictly a beer guy, and the occasion dictates what I\u2019m drinking. I\u2019m a big fan of local sports, so tailgating often means light lagers. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As for his style on the craft side of things, \u201cI\u2019m not a hoppy guy, but a blonde ale is good. I\u2019m more on the subtle side.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What beer is in your fridge currently?<\/h3>\n

His fridge, on the other hand, is not so subtle when it comes to copious amounts of beer. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not to mention that he also likes to support Winnipeg\u2019s 27 craft breweries, so there\u2019s a plethora of craft blondes taking up space in his beer fridge, too.  Yes, beer fridge. That combined with a pool table, a TV for sports, a pit for bonfires, and music – we say it\u2019s time to head to Kevin\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOur place is the place to hang out and drink some beers and enjoy the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who are you outside of work?<\/h3>\n

People are more than just their careers, so we had to check in to see more of who Kevin is outside of work. We\u2019ll let him tell you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m into sports. We watch a lot of sports, but I play some too. I go to the gym every day. I coach basketball. I played it. My two kids play it. I play golf, go fishing. I\u2019m into the outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It makes sense now why Kevin is a hands-on manager. That\u2019s just his style.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m sitting down, then I\u2019m probably falling asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We understand. There\u2019s just too much out there to learn and explore to be sitting for too long.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work isn\u2019t everything, no matter how much one likes their job. And as evidenced by our conversation with Kevin about his passion for his career and his personal life, Kevin appears to be enjoying both very nicely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We thank him for that. Because without an understanding that every person has a different passion for something, outside of work, Kevin wouldn\u2019t be the manager he is. And Malteurop wouldn\u2019t be the company they are.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s the people that make a company great, not the other way around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cheers. To the farmers. The maltsters. The brewers. The Innovators.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kevin Kull was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with both his grandfather and father working in the same malthouse as he does now.   By: Living a Stout Life   About Malteurop Malting Company (MMC) We are a collective of craftsmen devoted to making exceptional malt. We are innovators, designers, scientists, farmers, brewers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Meet the Maltings Manager for Malteurop Canada: Kevin Kull, Malt\u2019s Best Wingman","_seopress_titles_desc":"Meet the Maltings Manager for Malteurop Canada: Kevin Kull, Malt\u2019s Best Wingman. Kevin is based out of the MMC plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employee-spotlight"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=788"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malteuropmaltingco.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}