2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year for us at Conveyer & Caster. Not only are there some great projects in the works – both internally and with our customers – but it’s also our 60th year in business! While we’re looking forward to what’s to come, and hopefully being able to hold some events in our building, we also wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on our past and where we’ve come from throughout the years.
The Beginning
During the recession in 1934, Albert T. Stohr Sr. graduated from Penn State as an electrical engineer. Unable to find employment, he sought the help of his father-in-law, who was the general manager of Bond Foundry Casters. Albert was made a caster salesman throughout western PA, OH, and MI. Then, he worked for distributers, selling material handling equipment in the Cleveland area.
Conveyer & Caster’s humble beginning officially dates back to September of 1961, when Albert T. Stohr Sr. officially founded the company in a small building down on Detroit Avenue with 5 employees – 3 of which being stockholders. Albert T. Stohr. Jr. started working as an employee at Conveyer & Caster in January of 1962. Upon the sudden death of his father in 1964, Albert T. Stohr Jr. took leadership of the company at the young age of 23. Albert borrowed money from Society Bank to help buy out several stockholders.
1970s: Continued Growth
In 1970, the company was moved to an old Studebaker dealership on Detroit Avenue, enabling Conveyer & Caster an opportunity to grow, and also open office branches in more distant cities.
Rowe Bumpers – a company specializing in manufacturing and distribution of quality dock and dock safety equipment – was acquired in 1979.
1980s & 90s: Third Generation
Albert eventually welcomed his two sons into the company after they gained work experience outside of the family business. Current CEO Jeff Stohr joined the company in 1989 after working for technical sales for Parker Hannifin. Current President Trevor Stohr followed in 1992 after working as a sales and marketing representative for Shell Oil.
2000s: Mergers & Acquisitions
Conveyer & Caster became Conveyer & Caster – Equipment for Industry in 2006 following a merger with another long-time Cleveland-based material handling distributor Equipment for Industry, Inc. Equipment for Industry was founded in 1955 and served customers in Ohio and western Pennsylvania with general lines of material handling products, including shelving, pallet racking, mezzanines, and in plant offices. Rick Andrews, formerly the President of Equipment for Industry, continues to serve Conveyer & Caster as Vice President.
Advanced Belting & Conveyor Co. was acquired in 2007, adding capacity for turn-key conveyor solutions, belt fabrication, and installation, service, and repair of conveying equipment. John Fitzgerald, founder and former President of Advanced Belting & Conveyor, Co. is currently Service Manager of Conveyer & Caster.
Anderson Wood & Metal Works, Inc., of Erie, Pennsylvania was acquired in 2008. Founded in 1986 by Jim and Sandy Anderson, Anderson Wood & Metal served their customers by providing custom fabricated equipment and specialized lifting solutions.
2010s: Growth For the Future
Storage Systems Co. of Cincinnati was acquired in 2013. Founded by Bill Judd in 1969, Storage Systems specialized in complex storage solutions, auto dealership shelving and cabinetry, and mezzanine systems.
2019 was a landmark year for us as we became an integration partner of Hytrol conveyors and expanded and moved into our current location in Westlake, OH. This 76,000 square foot building has plenty of workspace, meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, a product demo room and showcase, a workout room, and even an entertainment room complete with a bar, shuffleboard table and golf simulator.
2020s & Beyond: Fourth Generation
While 2020 was definitely an interesting year for many businesses, we were excited to welcome another generation to the company as Jeff’s son Travis Stohr joined the company in June of 2020. After working externally at SpyGlass – another local Cleveland company – and learning the value of working on teams and experiencing the positives and negatives of nurturing customers, Travis helped form a new Customer Development division at Conveyer & Caster.
Currently, we have 44 team members across 11 locations in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York.
We’re really looking forward being able to safely welcome our friends, family, vendor partners and customers into our headquarters in Westlake since we never had the chance in 2020. We would not be where we are today without all of you, and we look forward to being able to celebrate the past 60 years with you!
