Engineering Innovation Drives Manufacturing Growth: How Custom Container Solutions Innovates in Milton, PA
When steel prices climbed nearly 40 percent, manufacturers nationwide were forced to absorb soaring costs or pass them along to clients. Custom Container Solutions (CCS), a leading Milton-based manufacturer of roll-off containers and custom steel fabrications, chose a bolder path: engineer a superior product. Led by Managing Member & CEO Todd Vonderheid, the CCS team responded with continuous innovation, investing directly in their workforce, production capabilities, and product redesigns.
To complement their internal engineering efforts, CCS tapped into its long-standing strategic partnership with the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Through the SBDC’s Manufacturing Innovation Center of Excellence, CCS collaborated with Bucknell engineering faculty and students to re-engineer their roll-off containers, aiming to reduce weight and material costs without sacrificing strength or durability. To help offset project costs, the SBDC assisted CCS in securing grant funding through the PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) Manufacturing PA Innovation Program.
“Our company is a direct beneficiary of the technical and networking support provided by the Bucknell SBDC, as its services have given us access to talented faculty and aspiring engineers to help us refine our products and look at our offerings from a new and untarnished perspective.”
— Todd Vonderheid, Managing Member & CEO, Custom Container Solutions
Leveraging these collaborative insights, CCS fabricated a full-size prototype unit for rigorous field testing, with plans to roll out the design improvements across their product line. Beyond engineering support, CCS also partners with the Pennsylvania SBDC’s statewide Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) to ensure seamless environmental compliance, from initial air quality permits to streamlined annual reporting.
Strengthening Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Pennsylvania’s manufacturing leaders drive our economy through resilience, vision, and hard work. The Bucknell SBDC is proud to serve as a strategic resource partner, offering manufacturing support, technical expertise, grant assistance, and environmental compliance guidance to help businesses overcome challenges. Sign up today to discover how our no-cost services can support your company’s next innovation.
