Author: Craig Guttmann

It’s hard to believe that ChatGPT was launched only 3 years ago. Today, you can’t spend more than a minute online without seeing something that can be done using AI – whether for your business, home, travel or self-improvement. There’s no question that AI is amazing, and we’re using it in all kinds of ways at Algood – especially in data analysis and data-related decision-making (and to generate the image for this post). But the more we use AI, the more we recognize its limitations, especially in reflecting our customer focus and our values. At least today, there are some things that I wouldn’t try to replace with AI. Here are five of them.

An experienced and knowledgeable CSR is invaluable. When you’re looking for advice or recommendations, you need someone with the experience and the smarts to help you find the right product for the right job at the right price point. In addition, an inside salesperson can suggest the ideal solution based on the precise application and the environment in which the casters will be used. The likelihood is that the CSR has encountered similar circumstances before and can base a recommendation on that. All of that is a tall order for AI.

Similarly, a knowledgeable and personable salesperson is a trusted problem solver. Beyond the details of how you need to use casters, your decision will be improved by a salesperson who understands your business, your goals and your priorities. Some of our most impressive success stories have come from a deep understanding of what one of our customers was trying to accomplish – whether that was strategically or competitively. Ultimately, it’s knowledge that can only be gained over time through a relationship. While you might try to write a five-page AI prompt that incorporates all those details, my guess is that AI isn’t up to the challenge.

Attentive and responsible employees prevent problems. An experienced team member can recognize when something isn’t right – almost like a sixth sense. Whether it’s being able to see the most minor defect or hear the faint ping of an equipment flaw, it can save the wasted time and expense of imperfect products leaving the production floor. While we deploy sensors and other quality assurance technologies, some issues can only be identified through human intelligence, not artificial intelligence.

Engineers or designers who communicate with customers create better products. A well-trained product designer isn’t only interested in technical details. Asking the right questions or requesting appropriate information can make the difference between casters that perform well in the field and those that don’t. By speaking with a customer’s engineers or business leaders, you can determine the product’s intended functionality and the market it’s intended to serve. That’s a task AI would be hard-pressed to accomplish.

Well-recruited and well-developed employees are a game-changer. If I had a dollar for every good-looking resume belonging to a candidate I would never hire, I could buy a lot of lottery tickets. Likewise, we have successfully hired many people based on their capability rather than their experience. Just because someone has worked for a caster or a material handling company doesn’t mean they can help us meet our customers’ needs. There’s a certain degree of instinct involved in selecting employees, and a great deal of nurturing is necessary to make them successful. AI programs can filter resumes and write training manuals, but they don’t have what it takes to create a winning team.

There’s no denying the profound impact AI is having and will increasingly have on our lives. While it has incredible capability, as of today, there are some things I’m just not prepared to trust to AI. That may change in the future, but for the five items above, I’m sticking with HI – human intelligence. Leave me a comment and let me know if you agree.

Next week is Thanksgiving in the U.S., and we wish all our American customers and suppliers a happy and safe Thanksgiving and long weekend.

While Thanksgiving in Canada was in October, we’re definitely thankful for our success in meeting our customers’ needs and for our capable, dedicated employees who make that happen every day.

When you’ve been in the caster manufacturing industry as long as I have, you learn one fundamental truth: success isn’t just about making a great product; it’s about making the right product at the right time—whether that means delivering a one-off custom caster or ramping up to mass production without missing a beat. At Algood, we’ve built our reputation by mastering the balancing act between customization and high-volume production without sacrificing the craftsmanship that sets us apart.

Customization and mass production are often viewed as opposites—one requiring flexibility, the other demanding efficiency. Many manufacturers see a zero-sum game where they must choose one over the other. At Algood, we reject that notion. We seamlessly integrate both custom solutions and high-volume production, delivering outstanding lead times and dependable delivery dates without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship.

Achieving this balance is no easy feat. It requires precise production planning and real-time adaptability. Our teams meet daily to refine production schedules and weekly to strategize engineering adjustments. Good lead hands—experienced professionals overseeing the manufacturing process—ensure that smaller custom jobs fit into our workflow without disrupting large-scale production runs. It’s a juggling act we’ve perfected into an art form.

Our ability to accommodate both custom and high-volume runs is directly linked to our fully integrated manufacturing facility. With an expert design and engineering team, an in-house tool and die centre, full stamping, injection molding, and CNC capabilities, as well as robotic welding and assembly—all under one roof—we possess both the production power and the castersmith expertise to meet our customers’ unique requirements. By investing in state-of-the-art equipment and the highly skilled personnel, we stay ahead of the curve and ready to scale production at a moment’s notice.

Many suppliers struggle with integrating custom manufacturing runs due to scheduling complexities or financial constraints. Custom solutions demand more time, skilled labor, and engineering expertise. However, at Algood, we put our customers at the center of our decision-making. Whether they need a small-run custom caster or thousands of pieces straight from our catalogue, we find a way to make it happen without compromising on quality or efficiency.

Customers often face the dilemma of choosing between a lower-cost, off-the-shelf caster and a more expensive custom solution. While the former may seem like the economical choice, it can lead to costly breakdowns such as equipment failures, floor damage, and prolonged downtime. We work closely with our clients to ensure they get the best value for their investment—both in performance and long-term cost savings.

Our dedication to meeting customer needs through adaptability is deeply rooted in our commitment to North American manufacturing. We believe customers should have the confidence that their requirements will be met right here in Canada and the U.S. That calls for the ingenuity, craftsmanship and commitment to quality that’s only found on this side of the ocean.

If you’re looking for a partner who understands the delicate balance between customization and mass production, you’ve found it. At Algood, it’s what we do best.

I consider myself more of a realist than an optimist, but I feel very positive about 2025. There are many reasons to believe the new year will bring economic prosperity. The new administration in the U.S. will significantly impact economic factors, many of which will affect the manufacturing sector. Global trends will also positively influence North American manufacturing. That, combined with several upcoming new developments at Algood, will enable us to do an even better job of meeting our customers’ needs in 2025.

The Canadian and U.S. economies were jagged in 2024, but they are stabilizing and becoming stronger. Interest rates in Canada have come down considerably, and every expectation is that U.S. rates will follow suit. This will fuel investment in manufacturing and other sectors. Anticipated energy policies will decrease the price of raw materials like steel and plastics, allowing North American manufacturers to become more competitive. In the past year, we have seen even more customers move away from offshore suppliers to avoid prohibitive lead times and uncertain supply chain assurances. Now, with the prospect of more favourable pricing, the trend toward reshoring will gain even more strength.

Internally, our R&D efforts are well positioned to meet both broad industry needs and individual customer requirements. In the first quarter of 2025, we will introduce a new full series of casters—the first in many years. These new products have been designed to meet the demands of many of the fastest-growing business sectors.

In addition, our internal design and engineering teams are increasingly developing configurations to meet unique customer specifications. In a growing economy with an increasing emphasis on specialization, this is a critical competency. Because of our ability to meet the needs of both the industry and individual companies, I am very positive about Algood’s ability to stand out in the new year.

Technology is also a reason for optimism. As AI applications and delivery mechanisms improve, businesses are gaining a better understanding of how they can put it to use. 2025 will be the year of AI. It will go from being something fascinating to an essential component of operating a business and will have a broad impact on companies and industries. That, in turn, will add efficiency and broad possibilities for growth to the marketplace.

At Algood, our superior integration of 3D modelling has me feeling very positive. As we introduce even more capacity to the CAD LAB™ on our website, we will empower engineering departments by providing them with access to drawings for thousands of caster configurations. We will increase our use of robots and cobots, enhancing productivity and ensuring we maintain our near-100% quality control rating.

Finally, I’m optimistic about the fourth generation of Guttmanns at Algood. Although Elie, who represents the third generation, has only been at Algood for a few years, my grandsons recently visited our facility and got their first lesson in caster manufacturing. No doubt, the future is secure.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all our customers, distributor partners, suppliers and colleagues all the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year. I hope you share in my optimism for 2025.