INDUSTRIAL CASTER & WHEEL MANUFACTURER – COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2024
Aubin Industries, Inc., an industrial caster and wheel manufacturer who has revolutionized efficiency by achieving an 80% reduction in the push-pull forces while maintaining a commitment to the “customer centricity.” Aubin is dedicated to designing, improving, and manufacturing precision products with the 21st Century innovations. The firm develops each product through direct conversations with customers, carefully listening to their challenges to create tailored solutions with an innovation and application driven approach. This customer-centric process has been its standard practice since 1994, resulting in a portfolio of thousands of products that address specific customer needs. “We are the sole industrial caster and wheel manufacturer pioneering true ergonomic innovations” said Stefanie Aubin Price, President and CEO of Aubin Industries, Inc. The firm continues to lead by example, demonstrating how direct customer engagement fuels innovation and drives the industry forward.
INNOVATING TO REDUCE PUSH-PULL STRAIN
In the material handling sector, ergonomic innovation is not just beneficial; it’s essential. Challenges such as workplace injuries and escalating workers’ compensation costs have long plagued this sector, driven by the physical strain of moving heavy objects. Aubin Industries has stepped into the breach with a game-changing solution – the patented Swivel-EAZ® PRO dual swivel caster system. Traditional casters often falter under the demands of alignment and direction, but Aubin Industries’ Swivel-EAZ® PRO operated on a revolutionary three-axis system for smooth motion in ay direction. This enhances mobility and reduces wear and tear on the casters and the human body. Most impressively, this innovative system slashes push-pull forces by up to 80 percent (as validated by third party US university testing and the CDC), dramatically decreasing the risk of injuries, reducing associated compensation costs while improving productivity and reducing strain on employees.
Despite a market with similarly marketed offerings, such as iron and steel core wheels and a standard lineup with single swivels, brakes, and various caster types, Aubin Industries differentiates itself through its unique value proposition. The company does not just sell products but engages in a cycle of continuous improvement based on direct feedback from its customers improvement based on direct feedback from its customers through comprehensive test programs. “We prioritize communication, actively listening to their concerns and collaborating to find optimal solutions,” adds Price. In addition, Aubin Industries offers wide range of casters and wheels, accommodating capacities from 100 pounds up to 30,000 pounds per caster, showcasing dynamic versatility.
Across its entire product line, regardless of the load or size of the object being moved, Aubin Industries significantly reduces the effort required. For example, industry standards indicate that moving a 2300 pound cart with two regular swivels and two regular rigid casters demands approximately 96 pounds of force. Using Swivel-EAZ® PRO dual swivel and standard rigid setup, the effort is reduced to just 33 pounds. The company also manufactures products tailored for various industries. These include aerospace components, custom “U” Groove wheels designed for specialized applications, and medical-grade equipment specifically for use in surgical environments.
Aubin Industries prioritizes direct customer engagement by visiting their warehouses to perform detailed assessments and understand their specific needs. Drawing from over 80 years of experience, the company has built a comprehensive database through customer collaboration and testing. The database has enabled the firm to develop a matrix guiding product recommendation. This matrix considers critical factors such as load capacity and operational environment, ensuring that each recommendation is ideally suited to the client’s unique requirements.
DELIVERING QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE
Aubin Industries is committed to providing products with optimal performance and extended lifespan. The company focuses on longevity, reliability, designing installations that require minimal maintenance and deliver consistent performance over time. “Our goal is for our next iteration with you to focus on expanding your installation or addressing new challenges rather than troubleshooting recurring issues,” emphasizes Price. Aubin Industries excels at turning innovative concepts into tangible realities, selecting the finest materials to push the boundaries of traditional design. Whether it involves enhancing swivel mechanisms, improving ease of movement or achieving top-tier quality standards in hardware, innovation is ingrained in every facet of its operations. Unlike other manufacturers, Aubin Industries’ mission transcends mere production; it aims to educate, solve problems, and deliver the highest caliber products to its customers.
A recent collaboration with major aerospace manufacturer highlights Aubin’s impact. Tasked with moving large equipment within tight confines, the client struggled with standard casters that would often buckle under pressure. Aubin Industries introduced its 30,000-pound Swivel-EAZ® Super Duty PRO swivel caster to address this concern. The modification drastically reduced the maneuvering time from 4 hours to 45 minutes. The aerospace manufacturer was highly satisfied with the results, prompting Aubin Industries to supply casters for the project. The intervention streamlined operations for the client, showcasing the efficacy of Aubin Industries’ specialized caster solutions. Once customer experience Aubin Industries’ products and casters, they refuse to settle for imitations because they recognize and appreciate the superior quality.
The integrity of Aubin Industries’ manufacturing process is unimpeachable. All production stages, from material selection to the final assembly, are managed in-house, ensuring each product is quintessentially American-made and adheres to the highest standards. the company’s legacy of innovation dates back to 1995 with the introduction of precision bearings to the caster and wheel industry in Aubin’s newly developed donut tread Half-Round, wheel, evolving to the popular ergonomic wheel and widely adopted new swivel designs.
Phil Aubin founded Aubin Industries in 1994, and it has remained a family operated entity, now under the leadership of Price since 2023. Initially specializing in solid urethane wheels, the company has significantly expanded its offerings under Philip Aubin’s inventive guidance. One of his notable innovations, the half-round wheel, quickly became popular among major automotive manufacturers. However, when a larger company replicated his design, Philip strategically shifted to patenting his designs, safeguarding the firm’s intellectual property and ensuing the uniqueness of its solutions. Recognizing the importance of sharing knowledge to address industry challenges, Philip Aubin developed a passion for educating others. His commitment to innovation and education has made him well-regarded within the industry.
Aubin Industries thrives on collaborative spirit encapsulated by the motto “United we stand, divided we fall.” The company cherished the contributions of every team member, from the production line to logistics, each playing a pivotal role in the company’s success. The effectiveness of each group’s role is crucial to Aubin Industries’ success, which is rooted in a work environment that fosters passion and dedication. Ensuring top-notch service, tailored solutions, and genuine attentiveness to their needs exemplifies every aspect of collaboration. Looking ahead, Aubin Industries is poised to introduce new equipment to enhance precision in operations. The upcoming launch of a new addition to its Swivel-EAZ® wheel line and the recent introduction of the Swivel-EAZ® PRO Elite caster designed for medical applications – highlight the company’s commitment to precision and safety in ergonomic products. Through continuous innovation and a focus on solving practical challenges, Aubin Industries remains at the forefront of its field, setting the stage for future advancements.
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