Know Your Machine: My Conversation with Mike Escobedo
On Maintenance & Manufacturing Insights, Miguel 'Mike' Escobedo — Manufacturing Fabrication Manager at Jackrabbit Manufacturing, who started by sweeping floors in 1999 — shares why great operators truly know their machines, how data (not assumptions) finds the real problem, and why manufacturing is a team effort.
What does it really mean to know your equipment? On this episode of Maintenance & Manufacturing Insights, I sat down with Miguel "Mike" Escobedo to talk about manufacturing, maintenance, leadership, and that exact question. Mike has worked in manufacturing since 1999 — he started out sweeping floors and worked his way into leadership, and today he's the Manufacturing Fabrication Manager at Jackrabbit Manufacturing.
Great Operators Know Their Machines
One point stood out: the value of operators truly knowing their equipment. An experienced operator can tell when something sounds different, performs differently, or simply doesn't feel right. Mike believes operators should work alongside maintenance whenever possible — the more they understand the equipment, the better prepared they are to spot changes and help troubleshoot.
Let the Data Find the Problem
Mike shared a great example. A chamfering machine was producing inconsistent bevels, and the first assumption was that operators needed more training. Mike wasn't convinced. Instead of assuming, he collected data — had an operator produce a good bevel, then tracked results across more pieces and different material.
The data showed something was changing. Mike brought that to maintenance and engineering, and the team traced it to a tension spring that had been replaced during earlier maintenance — it had too much tension. Once corrected, the machine was consistent again. When something changes on the shop floor, good data and good communication find the real cause.
Manufacturing Is a Team
A company doesn't succeed because of one operator, technician, engineer, or manager. Everyone plays a role in getting a quality product out the door. Mike's journey from sweeping floors to manufacturing leadership is a great example of what happens when someone keeps learning, understands the process, and takes responsibility beyond a job title. We also got into Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, changing technology — and, because sometimes you have to step away from the machines, Mike's passion for barbecue.
Watch & Listen
Hear my full conversation with Mike Escobedo:
