Name: Michael McMillan
Company: US Element
Position: Technical Sales
Supplier to the Industry
Years in Industry: 10

Michael McMillan’s career demonstrates the value of understanding a business from the ground up. Since joining US Element in 2016, he has advanced from general labor and crate building to becoming one of the company’s most versatile technical leaders. Early in his career, Mike taught himself to operate manual lathes, drills, and wire-processing equipment before helping implement CNC lathes, mills, and routers that expanded production capabilities and improved efficiency throughout the shop.

Today, Mike manages more than 60% of the company’s orders from quotation through shipment, combining responsibilities that span engineering, purchasing, production planning, and technical sales. His practical manufacturing experience gives him a unique advantage — when preparing a quotation, he understands exactly how the product will be built because he has built it himself.

His drive for improvement has led to meaningful operational advances. Mike spearheaded US Element’s transition from fabricated heater assemblies to laser-cut construction, reducing labor requirements by 15 to 20% on individual heaters. He also taught himself 3D modeling software, helping position the company to supply complete turnkey systems in addition to heating elements.

Beyond engineering and production, Mike has become a vital link between departments, ensuring lessons learned on one project improve the next. He has reduced quoting lead times, improved after-sales responsiveness, manages the company’s most complex shipments, and represents the company at industry trade shows. As he continues expanding his knowledge of accounting, operations, and business management, he is preparing for the next stage of leadership while helping shape the company’s future.

Nominated by: US Element