1. Introducing McIver Engineering & Controls
Absolutely. McIver Engineering & Controls is a full-service engineering company specializing in industrial automation solutions and UL 508A industrial control panel manufacturing. We design, build, and integrate automation systems that help manufacturers improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
Our headquarters is located in the greater Milwaukee area, but we serve customers nationwide. We work with industries ranging from packaging and material handling, food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, and more. Whether it’s a fully integrated robotic automation cell or a custom control panel project, our mission is the same: to deliver systems that work flawlessly and drive measurable business results.
2. Your Professional Journey
I started my career as a Mechanical Engineer. I was young, ambitious, and frankly — I had a lot to learn. Early on, I worked on large industrial automation projects without fully understanding all the moving parts including most of all, the customer’s mindset when buying automation. I made mistakes linking automation capabilities to business results early on, but I learned quickly that every mistake is the tuition you pay for your education in this business.
Over time, I developed a deep understanding of how to scope, plan, and execute projects synced with customer business expectations. I learned that great engineering is only half the battle — the other half is communication, trust, and leadership all towards the single objective of profitability for our clients. Those lessons carried me through years of building companies from small organizations with a few employees, into operations with several hundred employees. Now, at McIver, I’m putting that same formula to work again.
3. From Mistakes to Mastery
My early mistakes taught me the importance of building strong foundations with every employee, customer, and for every automation project. One time, I hired a third party machining company that went bankrupt in the middle of the project. It caused delays and cost us trust. That experience changed how I lead today — now, supplier validation, original scope validation, design validation, rigorous testing, and customer collaboration are non-negotiable steps.
When it comes to industrial control panels, for example, I’ve learned it’s not just about building a panel to spec — it’s about understanding how it will operate in the real world, under real production demands.
4. Vision and Inspiration
I love renovating and building new. Not just machines, but companies. What inspired me to lead McIver was the chance to take a skilled engineering team and give them the processes, training, and culture to reach their potential. I’ve seen what happens when you combine technical mastery with operational discipline — you get an unstoppable company that delivers real value to customers.
That’s what I’m here to build again, one project and one customer at a time.
5. Keys to Industrial Automation Success
For me, the three critical skills in industrial automation are:
- Scope Management: Customers expect to achieve their revenue and profits per the original contract – Keeping everyone informed of scope creep with priority over must have vs nice to have keeps everyone on point.
- Problem-Solving: Every project has surprises — the ability to adapt and solve problems under pressure is vital.
- Customer Communication: Great automation projects are built on collaboration and transparency.
6. Building from the Ground Up
Every company I’ve grown started with the same principles:
- Create Clear Processes: Define how projects are executed from day one.
- Implement Continuous Learning: Encourage everyone to keep developing their behaviors & skills.
- Prioritize Mentorship: Invest in teaching a winning culture and digital skills so the next generation can surpass you.
7. Mentorship and Team Development
I tell my engineers:
- Think like the customer — your design isn’t complete until it solves their real-world problem.
- Own your work — if something goes wrong, identify you made a mistake publicly, fix it and learn from it.
- Never stop asking “why” — understanding why something is being done allows commitment to the task at hand.
8. Innovation in Automation
We stay ahead by partnering with technology leaders like FANUC, Cognex, Allen Bradley and others; investing in our own R&D; and making professional development part of our culture. Every industrial control panel or industrial automation system we build benefits from the latest thinking in automation safety, efficiency, and connectivity. Our goal isn’t just to meet today’s needs — it’s to anticipate tomorrow’s.
9. Marketing Automation Expertise
We don’t just market a product — we market our team to gain trust. Most of our best work comes from referrals and repeat business because customers know we deliver. That said, we invest in trade shows, customer case studies, and sharing our expertise online. When we talk about a custom industrial control panel or automation cell, we show how it actually improved a customer’s production.
10. Customer Relationships
We build trust by listening first. We make sure we understand the customer’s process before concepting or designing a solution. We communicate openly when challenges arise and work together on solutions. That’s how you turn a one-time project into long-term partnerships.
11. Long-Term Success
In automation, long-term success is about quality, training, and scalability. If you cut corners early, you’ll pay for it later. If you invest in your people and systems, you can scale without losing what made you great in the first place.
12. Future Vision
Five to ten years from now, I see McIver as a recognized leader in custom industrial automation across multiple industries. We’ll have expanded our engineering team, increased our in-house manufacturing capabilities, and built a reputation for excellence in industrial control panels and full-scale automation system integration.
13. Advice for Aspiring Engineers and Leaders
- Fail early, learn fast — your first mistakes are your best teachers.
- Build relationships — technical skills matter, but people skills build careers.
- Never stop learning — the automation industry moves fast; stay curious.
14. Overcoming Setbacks
When a project goes sideways, we focus on solution-first thinking. I ask, “What’s the fastest way to get this back on track without sacrificing quality?” Then, after delivery, we review as a team and put safeguards in place so it doesn’t happen again.
15. Most Satisfying Moment
One of my proudest moments was creating a double in size strategy in three years involving everyone from customers to employees, then achieving our strategy in just under two years. The work was incredibly hard, but the customer to supplier to employee engagement, all aligned to one objective, was something we will all never forget.
for more information visit us at https://mcivereng.com/