Mike Novak

Senior Filler Mechanical Specialist

When beverage manufacturers face persistent filler performance issues, recurring downtime, or mechanical problems that seem impossible to solve, Mike Novak is often the person they call.

Mike brings decades of hands-on experience in manufacturing, machining, troubleshooting, and high-speed beverage filling systems. His career began in precision machine shops throughout Northeast Ohio, where he developed a deep understanding of how complex mechanical systems are designed, built, and maintained. That foundation has become one of his greatest strengths—allowing him to identify wear patterns, root causes, and performance limitations that others often overlook.

After transitioning into the beverage manufacturing industry, Mike built a reputation for solving some of the most challenging mechanical issues found in high-speed filling operations. His expertise spans fillers, cappers, seamers, conveyors, machine modifications, custom fabrication, and performance optimization. Whether troubleshooting a chronic issue or helping a customer maximize throughput, Mike approaches every project with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.

What sets Mike apart is his unique combination of machining knowledge and field experience. Because he understands how components are manufactured and how equipment behaves under real production conditions, he can quickly diagnose problems, recommend effective improvements, and implement lasting solutions.

At Optimized Lines, Mike works directly with manufacturers to evaluate filler performance, identify mechanical constraints, improve equipment reliability, and recover lost production capacity. He also designs and fabricates custom components and upgrades that help customers extend equipment life and improve operational performance.

Together with Senior Controls Engineer Doug Greenwood, Mike forms one half of Optimized Lines’ turnkey filler optimization team—combining world-class mechanical expertise with advanced controls and programming capabilities to help manufacturers maximize the performance of one of the most critical assets on any production line.

Areas of Expertise

  • High-Speed Beverage Fillers
  • Mechanical Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
  • Filler Rebuilds & Optimization
  • Cappers & Seamers
  • Conveyor System Integration
  • Custom Fabrication & Machine Modifications
  • Equipment Reliability Improvements
  • Capacity Recovery & Throughput Optimization
  • Preventive Maintenance Strategy
  • Manufacturing & Precision Machining

Mike's Philosophy

“If I look at a piece of equipment long enough, I can usually figure out a better way.”

That mindset drives Mike’s approach to every project: understand the problem completely, find the true root cause, and deliver practical solutions that improve performance for the long term.