What’s happening: An Albion-based manufacturer continues to expand operations in its long-time Calhoun County home, adding 3,000 sq. ft. of dedicated advanced engineering space. Caster Concepts completed a $2 million, 16,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility expansion in 2023.
Who they are: Caster Concepts is an industrial, heavy-duty wheel and caster manufacturer founded in Albion in 1987. The company has grown significantly since its founding, and this most recent expansion in rural Calhoun County marks the company’s fifth such expansion since 1995.
What they built: The latest expansion from Caster Concepts includes a 3,000 sq. ft. advanced engineering center. The new center is to include space and equipment for 3D solid modeling, EA Analysis, rapid prototyping, quality assurance testing, and design review and collaboration. The new advanced engineering center further facilitates Caster Concepts’ ability to match the right product to customers’ specific needs and applications.
Why it’s important: "This expansion is all about attracting new engineering talent to the Caster Concepts team," says Bill Dobbins, President, Caster Concepts. "Our engineers will have even more advanced precision machinery and the newest tools needed to meet the unique challenges our customers bring to us every day."
Community partner: The company is notable for its work in Albion and the surrounding community, which includes education and technology initiatives for local kids and teenagers. Caster Concepts, in partnership with Conceptual Innovations, founded
INNOVATE Albion, a teaching and training center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and robotics in Southwest Michigan. Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission awarded the company the 2022 Corporate Impact Award in 2023.
Caster Concepts is located at 16000 Michigan Ave. in Albion.
Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.