Investing in the USA: Albion Advances Popular 310 & 410 Kingpinless Caster Series

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USA-made, laser cut and upgraded three-year warranty

ALBION, Michigan – Sept. 15, 2016 – Albion, the leading heavy-duty caster brand of Colson Group USA, has made a major new advancement in its product offering, which reinforces its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. After significant capital investments in its two Michigan manufacturing plants, Albion has unveiled a series of product advancements to its already popular 310 & 410 Kingpinless Series, which leverages the new investments to deliver added customer value and create new opportunities.

Recent purchases and installations of a new laser cutter, computer numeric control (CNC) bender, multiple robotic welding cells and CNC machining equipment paved the way at their Michigan plants for a laser cut redesign of the 310 & 410 Series steel components and accessories. The products’ transition to USA-made also allows Albion to deliver and respond to the market needs faster than ever, reducing lead times by as much as 70 percent.

“Investing in U.S. manufacturing to produce the quality heavy-duty products the industry has known Albion for is an important strategic initiative at Colson Group,” said Heavy-Duty Product Director Scott Fisher. “We have an aggressive heavy-duty growth plan and we are excited to deliver the new product improvements on the USA-made 310 & 410 Series as the first step of our plans.”

The new designs and technology allowed for a variety of product improvements, including 3/8-inch thick legs on the 310 Series; weld eliminations for a cleaner part, smoother edges for safety; an industry leading zinc finish with a clear coat; and newly designed innovative brakes and toe guards – all backed by an upgraded three-year warranty. The 310 & 410 Series is constructed of high quality, heat-treated AISI 1045 laser cut steel and features a precision-machined raceway for improved ergonomics and superior strength in rugged and towed applications. The legs are fully welded inside and out to handle the shock impact and higher load capacities traditional casters might not withstand. With a large variety of 2-1/2” and 3” wide wheels, brakes and accessory options, the 310 & 410 Series offers load capacities of up to 5,400 pounds per caster, depending on the selected rig, wheel and bearing combination.

“We are committed to our initiatives to optimize our heavy-duty segment, including product portfolio and all support services. We are continuing to invest heavily in our USA heavy-duty team and manufacturing plants,” said Colson Group CEO Tom Blashill. “Through the combination of competitively manufacturing the best product close to our customers and providing world-class support, we will continue to expand our value proposition to the market and generate growth with our strategic partners.”

The new USA-made, laser cut 310 & 410 Series brochures are available online and in the new Albion catalog that will be available for shipment late this September. Multimedia files can be accessed here.

Watch the Installation of the new laser cutter machine:

About Albion

As material handling and heavy-duty experts for over 65 years, Albion’s proven mobility solutions are capable of the most challenging applications. From the largest offering of industrial casters and wheels handling over 30,000 lbs. per caster, to cutting-edge custom designs – Albion’s experience and technology ensure that every solution meets the performance and safety requirements unique to each customers’ needs. For more information, visit albioncasters.com.

About Colson Group USA

Colson Group USA is a subsidiary of Colson Group, the largest global manufacturer and supplier of caster, wheel and mobility solutions. For over 350 combined years, the drive and experience of Colson innovators have led to some of the most trusted and advanced mobility solutions in the world, including some of the most renowned brands: Colson, Albion, Shepherd, Jarvis, MedCaster, Pemco, Faultless, and Bassick. Colson Group’s products and solutions are backed by its unmatched customer service and supply chain optimization strategies. For more information, visit colsongroupusa.com.

First Ever Caster App: Caster CAD 3D App Now On Android Devices

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Approximately one year after the launch of the industry’s first caster model app, Colson Group USA is pleased to announce that Caster CAD 3D is now available for Android devices. The updated app allows users across multiple mobile platforms to explore Colson Group’s interactive 3D caster catalogs ‘on-the-go’. App users can quickly configure a part number and download or deliver CAD models and datasheets to anyone with an email address. “We have had great success with Caster CAD 3D,” said Brad Kish, Director of Marketing/Communications. “Our customers have been asking for an Android version since its original launch, and we are now happy to deliver on this request. The Android app features the same great functionality as our iOS app, allowing fast delivery of great caster content—including 2D/3D CAD models and our very popular interactive 3D PDF datasheets. It is the content our customers need to allow them to walk away with all the pertinent specifications and allow easy integration into their designs. We have received tremendous feedback on how it is saving many of our customers’ time, and ensuring that they have a viable and trusted product specified.” The benefits of Caster CAD 3D are:
  • Downloadable 2D or 3D CAD models are completely free and in a user’s native CAD format
  • Interactive models can be easily configured for user-specific needs
  • Interactive 3D PDF datasheets give you all pertinent specifications and a 2D drawing
  • World-View allows visualization of a model on physical products
  • Models, visualizations, and data sheets can be quickly shared with teams
The 3D CAD Models are compliant with major world standards and are suitable for use in current CAD systems. Caster CAD 3D is a free app and is now available on Google Play and the App Store.

Colson Group USA Receives Business Award

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Colson Group USA is pleased to receive the Manufacturing/Distribution Large Business Award, as was bestowed by Cornerstone Alliance this morning, February 11, 2015. As part of their annual business recognition ceremony, the Cornerstone Alliance recognized Colson Group USA for the development of our new world-class Distribution Center, located next to our existing St. Joseph manufacturing plant. Kevin Osborn, Vice President of Operations, accepted the award on the company’s behalf. Read more about the meeting via Moody on the Market, a Southwest Michigan business insight blog.

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit economic development organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s “Great Southwest.” Learn more about Cornerstone Alliance here.

Colson Group USA Establishing World-Class Distribution Center

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Colson Group USA, the country’s leading caster and wheel manufacturer, announced today that as part of its ongoing strategy to align its business to drive growth it will be establishing a new world-class distribution center (DC) in St. Joseph, MI. The 170,000-square-foot DC, which will be located next to its St. Joseph manufacturing facility, is planned to be fully operational by year-end.

Colson has made multi-million dollar investments in advanced equipment and technology in its five U.S. manufacturing facilities over the past 18 months. Currently, the company’s distribution activities are supported within these manufacturing facilities. Establishing a world-class DC will allow the manufacturing locations to focus on manufacturing excellence as Colson prepares to further increase production of its made-in-USA products.

“We want to enhance our distribution capabilities while allowing our plants focus on manufacturing excellence,” said Tom Blashill, Colson Group’s CEO. “Distribution plays a significant role in our customers’ experience, and we look forward to delivering our full range of product solutions from our world-class DCs,” Blashill added.

Colson stated plans to continue to expand its west coast DC located in Chino, CA to support its customers in the western part of the country.

Colson Group USA Launches Caster App

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Colson Group USA introduces its new app for iPhone and iPad: Caster CAD 3D. As the global leader in caster and wheels, Colson Group USA offers the most complete product line in the world. Caster CAD 3D offers interactive 3D product catalogs for each of Colson Group USA’s brands and available product series. App users can quickly configure a part number and download CAD models and data sheets for their various caster and wheel needs. “Fast delivery of relevant, valuable product content is our mission,” said Brad Kish, Marketing Manager. “Our customers and sales professionals can leverage this new technology to instantly deliver CAD models and datasheets for our industry leading selection—and then quickly integrate them into their designs. This saves the customers time, and assures them that they have a viable and trusted product built into each design.” The benefits of Caster CAD 3D are:
  • Downloadable 2D or 3D CAD models completely free and in a user’s native CAD format
  • Interactive models can be easily configured for user-specific needs
  • World-View allows visualization of a model on physical products
  • Models, visualizations, and data sheets can be quickly shared with teams
The 3D CAD Models are compliant with major world standards and are suitable for use in current CAD systems. Caster CAD 3D is now available free on the App Store, and requires iOS 7.1 or later. ABOUT COLSON GROUP USA Colson Group USA is the largest operating unit of Colson Group, the largest manufacturer of caster and wheels products in the world. Colson Group USA oversees some of the most renowned brands of casters and wheels in the world: Colson, Albion, Shepherd, Jarvis, MedCaster, Pemco, Faultless, and Bassick. These brands have been technological leaders in caster advances for more than 350 combined years. The drive and experience of Colson innovators have led to some of the most trusted, highest quality and advanced mobility solutions in today’s world.