Our Company
A History of Service
For nearly three-quarters of a century, Cass Screw Machine Products has consistently delivered high-quality machined parts to its customers. Beginning in downtown Minneapolis in the 1940s, Cass has always placed its primary emphasis on customer service, stretching to meet our customers' needs and growing with them. As a result, we've become more than a Midwestern machine shop. We're a player in the global market, shipping parts to the Czech Republic, China, and Mexico, for example. Now, as always, we "go the extra mile" for you.
In the Beginning
With a belief that customer service should always be a top priority, Lester E. Cass started Cass Screw Machine Products in 1944. It was a small, single-machine shop.
Despite economic recessions, the company grew and expanded. In 1965, Cass moved the shop from downtown Minneapolis to 4748 France Ave. N. The new building held the machine shop, office, quality and tool rooms and the shipping department. In 1980, an 8,000 square-foot addition gave the company some breathing room. As the company continued to grow, adjacent buildings were acquired. Today, Cass Screw Machine Products' campus includes five buildings.
More People, More Machines
Cass Screw Machine Products continued to grow, adding more machines and more machine operators to meet the demands of its customers. In addition to screw machining, the company also offers grinding and CNC machining more services than most of its competitors.
All in the Family
Lester Cass believed in employing people who cared about the company and about continuing the work he started. He hired Marvin Greenwald, a Korean War veteran, as a machinist in 1953. Marvin's brother, Dale, joined the company the following year, working as a machinist trainee. Lorraine Wise was hired as an accountant and later became Secretary-Treasurer. Cass went into semi-retirement and these three key people operated the company according to his plan. When Cass died in 1979, they executed the buy-sell agreement he chose and continued to manage and nurture the company. Lorraine passed away in 1995. Marvin went into semi-retirement the following year.
Today, Cass is run by three people with humble beginnings in the company, Dale Greenwald; Marvin's son, Greg, who began as a machinist, became an auto supervisor, then moved into the front office; and Steve Wise, Lorraine's son, who drove the delivery truck and ran machines, while completing his B.S., before starting in the office in 1985.
Our People, the Power behind Cass
Our large array of machining tools would be worthless without the people who run them. Our people really make the difference between Cass and other machine shops. We invest heavily in them and treat them like members of our family. The result is low turnover, longevity and high productivity. They take pride in knowing what they're making, and for whom. As one of our employees said, "Our quality sells the parts. The parts sell the company."
