NEWS

05.21.2025

Neapco Notables | Maggie Miko, Manufacturing Engineer

Neapco Notables | Maggie Miko, Manufacturing Engineer

At Neapco, we recognize that our strength lies in the expertise and dedication of our people. We cultivate an environment that encourages continuous learning and collaboration, empowering our team to innovate and achieve excellence every day.

In this edition of Neapco Notables, we spotlight Maggie Miko, Manufacturing Engineer at our Belleville facility. Maggie has a background in mechanical troubleshooting, loves to problem solve and her approach to teamwork and collaboration has helped keep operations running smoothly since joining in December 2022. Here, she shares insights into his role, experiences, and the lessons she has learned since joining our team.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up on the west side of Michigan, in an area that is surrounded by farms on a small lake. After high school, I continued my education at Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula, where I earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 2019. Following graduation, I returned to West Michigan and worked in injection molding and stamping plants in Holland and Grand Rapids.

I realized that plastic, and the smell of burning plastic, was not the right fit for me, so I moved and started looking for what was next. I turned to metals, which felt like a very good fit for me since it matched my background and interests.

Tell us about your current role at Neapco and what drew you to the company.

I joined Neapco after interviewing with about a dozen different companies. The thing that really drew me in to the company was the Belleville plant. I loved the size, the people I met and that I could work with aluminum and steel, which was right in my wheelhouse. My father worked in steel mills and my brother is also an engineer in a steel facility so joining Neapco just felt like a natural next step. Everything just kind of aligned.

Initially, when I first joined the company, I worked on straightening machines before expanding into friction welding. Today, my role focuses on making sure the equipment is running smoothly and efficiently. I write and fine-tune programs for the welders so they can optimize performance and also spend time troubleshooting issues and improving processes to help reduce downtime. I’ve found that I thrive in a fast-paced hands-on environment – and Neapco has allowed me to do just that. I love getting out on the floor and being part of the problem-solving process.

What is the most important lesson you have learned while working at Neapco?

One of the biggest lessons I have learned at Neapco is just how important teamwork is. The best projects are never done alone. You can have all the technical skills in the world, but the best solutions really do come from collaboration.

Some of the most successful projects I have been involved in have been with people from different departments with different backgrounds who are all sharing their expertise. It is just really impressive to see how much more we can achieve when we are collaborating as a group.

What do you enjoy most about working at Neapco?

One of my favorite things is the culture. There is no gatekeeping at Neapco and everyone is willing to answer questions and share knowledge. Also, the fast-paced environment and the tangible impact of our work make it incredibly rewarding. We have so many new and large projects in the pipeline, but I find the most enjoyment in small, everyday improvements. I love fixing the little things that bother the operators on a day-to-day basis and being about to make their jobs a little bit easier.

Another aspect I enjoy about working at Neapco is the sense of community at the company. A lot of our team member events are food-related, which I love. For example, we participate in chili cook-offs, and I have even won (an unexpected) award for the best cornbread. Those types of activities really bring us closer.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I volunteer at a local farm. I’m part of the barn team, so I spend weekends mucking stalls, feeding goats, and grooming horses.

I also have a passion for the outdoors. I love hiking and backpacking—my boyfriend and I are trying to visit all the national parks. So far, we have made it to 24. And last fall, we backpacked Yosemite, which was an incredible experience.

Interested in joining the Neapco team? Click here to take a look at our open positions.