What is Cascade Engineering?
Cascade Engineering is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) that’s been around since 1973. The company was born from a desire to do business differently — acting on conscience as much as capability. It’s about solving problems without creating new ones, innovating with integrity, and setting fresh standards for how people and the world are treated. Founded by Fred Keller, Cascade Engineering has stayed true to this original vision all along.
Main Benefits of Cascade Engineering
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Cascade Engineering stand out:
- Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)
- Founded in 1973 with a unique, conscience-driven mindset
- Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Specializes in large-scale plastic injection molding
- Operates multiple strategic business units serving diverse markets
- Markets served include infrastructure, containers, underground enclosures, furniture, automotive products, and more
- Supports supplier diversity initiatives embraced by corporations and government agencies
Strategic Business Units and Market Reach
Cascade Engineering isn’t just a one-trick pony. The company is made up of several strategic business units, each targeting different markets. From infrastructure projects to automotive products, and even furniture and underground enclosures, their reach is broad and diverse. This multi-market approach allows them to innovate and adapt across industries, making them a versatile player in the manufacturing space.
Core Competency: Plastic Injection Molding
At the heart of Cascade Engineering’s operations is large-scale plastic injection molding. This core competency is what drives much of their product development and manufacturing capabilities. It’s a specialized skill that requires precision, expertise, and a commitment to quality — all of which Cascade Engineering delivers consistently.
Commitment to Supplier Diversity
Supplier diversity is more than just a buzzword for Cascade Engineering. They recognize how important it is to corporations and government agencies today, and they actively contribute to this movement. By being a certified Women’s Business Enterprise, they add valuable diversity to supply chains, helping organizations meet their diversity goals while benefiting from Cascade’s expertise and innovation.
Project Impact: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 5: Gender Equality — Supporting women-owned businesses
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure — Driving innovation in manufacturing
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — Emphasizing problem-solving without creating new issues
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals — Enhancing supplier diversity and collaboration
Legacy and Vision
From its inception, Cascade Engineering has been about more than just business. It’s about a vision — one set by Fred Keller — that blends conscience with capability. Over the decades, the company has grown and evolved but never lost sight of this guiding principle. It’s a legacy of integrity, innovation, and respect for people and the planet. And that’s what keeps Cascade Engineering moving forward, even today.
