Through years of experience in custom caster and wheel design and engineering, Caster Concepts has been able to provide specialized solutions for many specific caster and wheel applications. We have a dedicated staff of engineers and sales professionals who are experts in the business of motion and pride themselves on going beyond standard to meet each customer's demanding needs. We've built our reputation on customized products and service by providing unique solutions to the most challenging caster and wheel applications. Just ask our many customers who encompass dealers, fabricators and end users across the widest imaginable breadth of industries and applications.

Bill Dobbins
President and CEO
Caster Concepts, Inc.

CHALLENGE: Swivel sections were cracking after a few months of use
ORIGIN: Manufacturer
END CUSTOMER: Combustion Engine Lubrication Measurements
APPLICATION: Oil Consumption Cart
SOLUTION: CCI was able to solve the problem by supplying the company with CasterShox product

Testimonial: "When we first started running this equipment, it was very industrial looking, resembling a large Ice Box.  The boxes were green/grey NEMA 12 electrical cabinets.  We struck a deal with the original manufacture of the equipment for us to purchase the equipment in kit form, then build and sell it along with offering a year of support for the clients.  Originally, the cabinets were mounted to a rather rough looking uni-strut frame work and had hard phenolic wheels.

"What we do is very specialized work, as is the equipment we sell. It will measure oil consumption in PPB (parts per billion) with repeatability from day-to-day of about 2%.  We had to have something better than what we were building at first. We changed the wheels to shock absorbing, we powder coated the cabinets a bright cherry red, and had a new frame designed both to lighten and improve the looks.  The wheels were still a problem because we began noticing cracks on the frames of the swivels after a few months use, plus they did not sit level anymore.  That is when we started shopping for other options."

Chief Technologist, Combustion Engine Lubrication Measurements, San Antonio, TX

CHALLENGE: Provide low vibration on uneven floors
ORIGIN: Provider of silicon components
END CUSTOMER: Motor Manufacturing Unit of Automotive Company
APPLICATION: Transport products from one work station to another
SOLUTION: CCI was able to solve the problem by supplying the company with CasterShox product

Testimonial: "We designed a prototype cart to transport products, which are very delicate, from one workstation to another.  This application required a moderate weight rating and a smooth ride (on floors that aren't level).  Our products cannot be exposed to an extensive amount of vibration and the cart must be able to maneuver very freely.

"The CasterShoX 50 & 51 series casters exceeded our expectations by providing excellent performance such as, a very quiet and smooth ride with the durability that we were searching for in a medium to heavy-duty caster.  Because of the performance chracteristics of CasterShoX casters, we have since ordered more of the 50 & 51 series casters to use in other applications."

 
Engineering Specialist, Silicon Component Provider, Eaton, OH 

CHALLENGE: Providing durable, high performance, and quiet casters 
ORIGIN: Major Automotive Company
END CUSTOMER: Motor Manufacturing Unit of Automotive Company
APPLICATION: Various Facility and Assembly Uses
SOLUTION: CCI fitted the company with its maintenance free 57 Series casters combining the benefits of better ergonomics, higher performance, and a quieter ride.

Testimonial:  “I am writing to endorse the performance of the Caster Concepts products. We have been extremely pleased with the durability, ergonomic performance, and quiet operating noise level of the Caster Concepts product we selected over a year ago. As our facility has increased production levels, Caster Concepts product has responded. To this date, we have not replaced one Caster Concepts product.

“Moving into future projects, it is our full expectation that Caster Concepts products and services will provide solutions to the mobility needs of your company. We have been 100% satisfied with Caster Concepts and look forward to a long relationship.”

Assistant Manager, Major Automotive Company, West Point, GA

CHALLENGE: Approached with a request to create a custom casting for a new prototype with a limited time frame. Company was unable to find someone who could make the wheels in the time frame required. 
ORIGIN: Health Industries
END CUSTOMER: Laser Surgery Company    
APPLICATION: Front wheels for a cataract laser surgery machine
SOLUTION: Caster Concepts mass customization process was able to custom design and manufacture a caster to meet the size, strength material, and aesthetic needs of the customer all in the required time frame.

Testimonial: “Excellent, quick response, quick to deliver, willing to do whatever it takes. Provided recommendations to drive down cost and provide modification of off the shelf components rather than custom components “from scratch”.

“Overall excellent results on the product”  

Product Designer, Laser Surgery Company

CHALLENGE: Customer was experiencing long lead times and quality issues with their current supplier. The wheels would wear out quickly and become brittle on the edges. 
ORIGIN: Distributor
END CUSTOMER: Power Generation Equipment Company
APPLICATION: The Company makes a bus bar that needs to be moved from work station to work station. In order to move the bar, special rollers were needed.
SOLUTION:  CCI worked with the distributor and the end customer to test special rollers with different durometers in order to provide the user with a caster that would provide functionality and durability. 

Testimonial: “Very pleased with the quality, speed, and service received.

“Great quality, quick delivery and if there is a problem Caster Concepts will resolve quickly" 

 Major Power Generation Equipment Company

CHALLENGE: Creating a customized casting for a unique track running rack
ORIGIN: Lighting Systems Company
END CUSTOMER: Major Theatrical Production
APPLICATION: Lighting System Rack
SOLUTION: CCI worked with the customer to create a custom caster that would fit the specifications and movement requirements of the project

Testimonial: "We approached Caster Concepts about customizing the CasterShoX wheels for a theatrical lighting product that is under development," said the CEO of the Lighting Systems Company.

He continued by stating, "The technical staff at Caster Concepts was extremely helpful in the design phase of this project and I am happy to report that the wheels are working perfectly in our application.  I am certain that we will turn to Caster Concepts for assistance in the future."

CEO, Lighting Systems Company, Vancouver, BC Canada

Testimonial:  "Caster Concepts helped me decide the proper caster to utilize," stated the Project Engineer of the Material Handling Equipment Company. "They gave me an understanding of how the caster is made as well as confidence to purchase.  I was able to get a 3D model to make sure that the caster will fit and the turning radius cleared.  Their service was exceptional.  All of my questions were answered in the same day that I asked.  They were especially great to work with on modifications.

"The casters are impressively large. The welds are clean and the unit overall looks heavy duty.  Although, we have not installed the casters yet, the swivel bearing seams tight and smooth to turn.  That’s very important in order to handle the harsh conditions that it will undergo."

Project Engineer, Material Handling Equipment Manufacturer, Medina, OH

CHALLENGE:  Manufacturing specialized equipment for portable fall protection systems
ORIGIN: Specialized Safety Equipment Manufacturer
END CUSTOMER: Customers in need of unique solutions and modifications for their protection and mobility needs
APPLICATION: Portable Fall Arrest Systems
SOLUTION: Worked with company to create unique and custom castings for their fall protection products

Testimonial:  "First on behalf of everyone involved with this company we would like to thank you for your continued business relationship with us," said the Technical Designer of the Specialized Safety Equipment Company. "We manufacture specialized equipment that requires rugged casters. The casters provided by Caster Concepts have made a significant improvement with our equipment and our clients have made very positive remarks since we switched to your product.

"You have helped tremendously each time we have requested product and the delivery time has been cut in half. Prior to obtaining the casters from Caster Concepts we had issues on delivery times, product not in stock and other issues that caused delays with our equipment.

"These issues have been eliminated even to the point when we call and request a rush item.

"Again I want to thank you for all the help your company has provided to us."

Technical Designer, Specialized Safety Equipment Manufacturer, Bridgeport, WV

CHALLENGE: Only one critical part of a Caster was failing the Swivel Lock
ORIGIN: Distributor
END CUSTOMER: Tire Manufacturing Facility
APPLICATION: Power Drawn Carts
SOLUTION: Retrofitted the Caster with Customized Replaceable Swivel Lock

Testimonial: "Due to excessive abuse under heavy loads in a very rugged environment, a competitor's casters were failing. These casters were used to maneuver power drawn carts in a tire facility. Only a critical part of the caster was failing the swivel lock and for cost reasons, the end user did not want to replace the entire product. The distributor that serviced the account approached Caster Concepts for a quick, viable solution.

"I approached Caster Concepts in 1992 because my customer did not want to replace whole casters which were otherwise functional. At that time, I was totally unknown to Caster Concepts. I went with my tail between my legs and asked them to engineer a solution to my customer's unique problem. Although my customer was not going to replace the entire caster, Caster Concepts willingly took on the challenge. They had no guarantee of a return on their investment because, at that time, they didn't know whether we would be bonafide customers.

"Working diligently with us, Caster Concepts went beyond standard to retrofit the competitor's casters with a newly designed heavy duty swivel lock that withstood the abuse.

"Because of their overwhelming dedication, this customer is now my biggest account. That one action by Caster Concepts has snowballed into growing my business quickly and dramatically. My profits are way up. Caster Concepts' quick turnaround on special design is unlike any other in the business."

President, Material Handling Supplier, St. Louis, MO

CHALLENGE: Casters and grease used in Microwaves were melting
ORIGIN: Distributor
END CUSTOMER: Automotive Foundry
APPLICATION: Equipment Cart used in Microwave Ovens
SOLUTION: Produced a proprietary material that withstands extreme demands

Testimonial: "My customer had a piece of equipment with casters that went into a microwave. They were having extreme difficulty with the casters. The excessive heat would cause the wheels to melt and the grease to boil and disintegrate. In effect, the equipment would not function nor roll out of the microwave oven. Caster Concepts worked diligently with my customer to test materials for effectiveness. They put a lot of time into ordering multiple materials to try and find one that would hold up to a microwave. In fact, they actually made full casters for trials without having acquired the business. The time they put into it was very impressive. In the end, Caster Concepts was able to develop a proprietary material that could withstand the rigors of microwaves. They were the only caster company that was able to make it work.

"They have done a great job. Their outside sales support has been tremendous, both in pre-sale and post-sale support".

Branch Sales Manager, Industrial Sales Supplier, Sterling Hts., MI

CHALLENGE: Premature breakage of Swivels / Green Tire Build-Up
ORIGIN: Tire Manufacturer
END CUSTOMER: Tire Manufacturing Facility
APPLICATION: Transportation Carts in Tire Facility
SOLUTION: Joint Development of Custom Caster to overcome Environmental Issues

Testimonial: "Caster Concepts responded to our challenge by researching the type of defects and the cause of breakage. The corrective measures they took entailed multiple iterations this was not a one-time problem solution. It took multiple steps and involved coaching us in dealing with some of the environmental issues and other paradigms. Caster Concepts did exactly what I would expect a caster manufacturing firm to do they did their job and customized a solution for my application. They went far above and beyond our other suppliers in helping us with our problem. The ideas that were developed jointly between us have been shared with our other factories and Caster Concepts has been able to pass this expertise on to some of their own customers.

"Caster Concepts provides services that its competitors do not match, and competitors can match them, but they are not willing to service customers like Caster Concepts does."

Plant Engineering Manager, National Tire Manufacturer   

CHALLENGE: Material covering Drive Drum was excessively wearing out
ORIGIN: Automotive Supplier
END CUSTOMER: Automotive Final Assembly
APPLICATION: Conveyor Systems for the Automotive Industry
SOLUTION: Developed Customized Soft Polyurethane Covering for Drum

Testimonial: "We make conveyor systems for the automotive industry some close to 300 feet long. In this case, the rubber material surrounding the drive drum on the conveyor system kept wearing out and we were unable to move automobiles through the process. I approached Caster Concepts about the possibility of using its soft polyurethane on the drum as I had seen a special poly withstand constant usage on another piece of equipment at the plant. The Caster Concepts engineering staff indicated they could coat anything and asked specific questions about usage. I placed the drum in a box, sent it to them, and Caster Concepts went to work, specially machining and surfacing the material for the specific application. The soft poly material looks as good as the day I replaced the drum on the conveyor. It's a very durable material and I use it as a standard product on all our belt drive drums.

"The service from Caster Concepts is impeccable. They've bent over backwards. Some of the competition can't do the engineering and they just warehouse wheels. At Caster Concepts, if it's not on the shelf, they'll customize it for us, including stamping and dies. When it comes to service, Caster Concepts goes beyond the competition."

Project Engineer, Automotive Supplier, Warren, MI

CHALLENGE: Approached by a staging company that was looking for specialized wheels to move a large stage in very little time
ORIGIN: Distributor
END CUSTOMER: Portable staging company for entertainment at halftimes of major sporting events
APPLICATION: Portable Staging
SOLUTION: Caster Concepts customized a special pneumatic caster that was able to withhold the weight and moving requirements of the stage while still allowing for quick and easy portability