In this insightful interview, Dustin Lippert, Q-Free’s Hardware Operations Manager in Tucson, Arizona, shares his extensive experience and the critical role our U.S. manufacturing facility plays in delivering high-quality traffic management solutions.

With over 13 years at Q-Free, Dustin’s leadership has been integral in driving our manufacturing strategy, emphasizing quality, efficiency, and innovation. From navigating the challenges of the pandemic to the company’s commitment to adhering to Buy America, Build America (BABA) guidelines, Dustin discusses how Q-Free continues to push the envelope in hardware production.

As the industry shifts towards more software-driven solutions and the integration of AI in traffic management, Dustin offers a look at the future of manufacturing and how Q-Free is preparing to lead in this evolving landscape.

Dustin, to start, could you share a bit about your background and industry experience?
I began my career in the automotive industry as a technician diagnosing electronic failures in vehicles. That experience helped me transition into the traffic industry as a cabinet and controller assembler when a neighbor who worked in the assembly department referred me to Q-Free.

I have climbed the ladder at Q-Free, starting as a cabinet assembler before moving on to roles as a controller assembler, an electronic test technician, a production supervisor, and now serving as the Hardware Operations Manager for the Tucson production facility.

My diverse journey has helped shape my approach to manufacturing and quality control, aligning with Q-Free’s dedication to innovation and excellence.

What significant projects have you worked on that you’d like to share?

Our biggest accomplishments are always the large shipments we make to customers. Recently, we shipped around 600 controllers to Florida and Texas, which are major milestones for our team.

A key initiative I’m particularly proud of is how we adapted to the Buy America, Build America (BABA) guidelines during COVID. By shifting production closer to home, we reduced lead times to 30–60 days, while some competitors faced delays of up to nine months.

What sets Q-Free’s production and manufacturing apart from competitors?

Quality is our top priority—it’s what defines our work.

Our early adoption of BABA has given us a competitive edge, especially with the Federal Highway Administration’s recent updates requiring all traffic control equipment to comply with these standards.

And, of course, our people are our greatest strength. Our local manufacturing team in Tucson can ship most orders within 30 days. This not only benefits our customers but also supports local economies and reduces the environmental impact of overseas shipments, aligning with Q-Free’s global ESG initiatives.

How do you see the market evolving over the next 5–10 years?

Continuous improvement will remain at the core of our manufacturing approach. Lean principles, team collaboration, and improved resource utilization will continue to drive efficiency.

The industry is also shifting toward more software-driven solutions, with AI playing a growing role in traffic management. Q-Free will be at the forefront of combing software innovation with reliable hardware to offer smarter, more efficient solutions.