Industry veteran rejoins NA team to advance EMP upgrade solutions

Former aftermarket engineering director returns to lead equipment upgrade offering

Shot blasting industry veteran Mike Reaves has returned to Wheelabrator to head up our North American EMP (“Equipment Modernization Program”) team as a technical specialist.

Mike devoted nearly 20 years of his career to Wheelabrator, joining in 1997 and initially designing new equipment. He subsequently worked as engineering manager and across engineering services, quality assurance, and new product development.

In his ultimate role as director of aftermarket engineering, he was part of the team behind the multi-patented EZEFIT® blast wheel (living on in today’s EZX® technology) and built out our equipment upgrade offering. In parallel, he completed an MBA from Columbus State University, which prompted his move in 2017 into a chief operating officer role outside the world of shot blasting.

Almost ten years later, he rejoins us to shape our EMP offering for a new era – faster, smarter, more digital.

Marcus Montie, Senior Vice President of Norican North America, comments:

“If machines last decades, innovation can’t wait until the next equipment purchase. Mike saw this early on and built products and services around it. He pushed the limits of what you can get out of existing machines and was part of some of the most successful aftermarket developments of the past decades.

“He rejoins us at a time when digital tools and innovative wear parts enable us to inject new technology on existing shot blast equipment almost continuously. Mike will ensure customers get maximum performance and value from their installed machines. It’s great to have him back.”