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[This article was published by Jackson Magazine. Caster Concepts employee Douglas Backinger, was elected as one of Jackson’s 30 and Under Class of 2013, a group of young, successful Jackson area professionals.]
Douglas Backinger’s career is rolling along faster than the casters his company produces. In only three months at Caster Concepts Inc., located in Albion, the process engineer helped launch a new product that led to an order of 8,000 casters in August. He’s also running a new powder coating operation at the plant, among accomplishments.
Little wonder Backinger leads Caster’s Quick Response Manufacturing program- a company-wide strategy that focuses on reducing the lead time necessary to respond to customers, whether it be providing a quote or manufacturing a custom designed solution.
“It’s especially rewarding from me when I consider that as Caster Concepts continues to grow, we will continue to hire people from the community,” said Backinger, a Jackson native. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan.
Backinger lived and worked in New Jersey for aluminum producer Alcoa from 2010-13. After spending a Christmas with his family in Jackson, however, he was inspired to return to his roots. “I realized it was more meaningful for me to help grow a smaller company in a community I cared about than climb a corporate ladder.”
He returned to Jackson in June 2013 when he was hired as a process engineer at Caster. “My wife and I are really excited to be back in the community where we were raised, and we look forward to giving back,” said the 29-year-old, whose wife, Jessica Backinger, is another 30 and Under Winner.
Douglas Backinger is a supporter of 4-H; a member of the Jackson Area Manufacturer’s Association, and a donor to the Jackson Community Foundation, among community involvements.
