Episode 03: Adam Mashburn
Interview with Adam Mashburn, Maintenance Supervisor, Makita Tools
Episode 4: Show Notes
Have you ever wondered if Makita Tools uses Makita tools to make Makita tools? Well, today’s guest has the answer! In this episode, we are joined by Adam Mashburn, Second Shift Maintenance Supervisor at Makita Tools. Adam shares the touching story of how repairing sewing machines with his dad sparked his passion for manufacturing and led him into the world of engineering technology and his current role at Makita Tools. He explains some of the biggest challenges he has faced in his role, some of the lessons he’s learned from it, and shares his advice for anybody wanting to pursue a similar career. Adam also sheds light on the company structure at Makita Tools, what his day-to-day activities typically entail, and how the company’s preventative maintenance schedules work, as well as the safety programs and protocols that they have in place and how they are expanding into two new buildings to make room for growth. For an insightful look into the inner workings of Makita Tools, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
An introduction to Adam Mashburn and how he discovered his passion for manufacturing.
How he came to work for Makita Tools and what his role entails.
The best resources that have helped Adam along his journey.
Some of the biggest challenges that he has faced in his role at Makita.
Adam’s advice to somebody who wants to pursue a similar career.
Insight into the company structure and use of temporary employees at Makita Tools.
Some of the biggest lessons that Adam has learned over his career.
How communication is often the most challenging problem in any role in manufacturing.
The key elements to running a smooth operation.
Insight into Adam’s family’s fascinating genealogy.
Some of his typical day-to-day activities and how the overall process works.
Insight into Makita’s preventative maintenance schedules and the tech they use to keep track.
Get a glimpse into the catalog of tools that they manufacture at Makita Tools.
Some of the safety programs and protocols that Makita has in place.
Learn about the tools that they use and how they use Makita tools to make Makita tools.
Some of Makita’s energy efficiency initiatives.
Adam debunks the myth that maintenance people are lazy.
Why Makita is building two new buildings to make room for growth.
What Adam would choose if he could have one thing automatically approved in 2022’s budget.
How Makita has been affected by supply chain issues.
How Adam uses a Makita drill on a daily basis.
Tweetables:
“I would encourage getting a trade. Go for machining or electrical. I think electrical is a really big thing to go for these days. If you can get some kind of education on electrical, that will take you a long ways.” — Adam Mashburn [0:08:37]
“Be patient. Don’t let your frustrations overtake you. If you get frustrated, it puts blinders on you and you can’t look at the big picture and it makes it a lot harder to find the source of the problem.” — Adam Mashburn [0:09:26]
“I feel like one of the biggest challenges [was] communication. I feel like communication is always the most challenging problem in every role in manufacturing that I’ve ever had.” — Adam Mashburn [0:10:02]
“A lot of people say that maintenance people are lazy and they don’t do a whole lot, and I can assure you that is definitely not the case!” — Adam Mashburn [0:25:43]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Engineering Technology at Western Carolina University
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
The Industrial Movement on Twitter
The Industrial Movement on LinkedIn