Design and Engineering Staff
Custom Rubber Corp. is the source for rubber solutions. We have the experience necessary to tackle any problem, and enjoy making our customers successful. Being certified to ISO 9001, Including Design, means that our organization has the processes and procedures in place to quickly and expertly handle any and all design requirements.
Charlie Braun - President, Design Engineer
Charlie "grew up" in the rubber industry, starting summer work running equipment at age 18. Since 1998, Charlie has been working full time at Custom Rubber Corp., quoting new business and assisting with mold design and ensuring our mission—Responsiveness ~ From Design to Delivery—is always in mind.
"The wealth of experience at Custom Rubber Corp. insures that no matter what the application or environment, we can assist in bringing a proven solution to conclusion."
Charlie has the education and experience to ensure that all customers receive the assistance they need.
- Harvard University, BA in fine arts
- Case Western University, Weatherhead School of Management, MBA
- APICS CPIM, 1995
- University of Akron Rubber Compounding I & II
- Advanced Rubber Molding Technology at the University of Wisconsin
- Past President, Association for Rubber Products Manufacturer's (ARPM)
John Bellett - Engineering
John has an extensive amount of experience designing parts and assemblies for a variety of applications and industries. While earning his Engineering degree, John contributed to the design, manufacture, and implementation of customized automated material handling equipment for several Northeastern Ohio companies. His real world experience in different industries allows him to take into account the application's environment when designing parts and helping customers to solve problems with rubber.
"Every job we design and manufacture provides us with an opportunity to learn. Every lesson we learn allows us to add value, through engineering, to the next job ."
John brings a unique blend of design training and real world engineering experience to Custom Rubber Corp.. In addition to 5+ years practical experience, John's education includes:
- Stark State College, Design Engineering
- Auto CAD Certified
- Mold Design Training Class
- Injection Molding Training Class
- Trained in Solid Works designing software
- Enrolled in Cleveland State for Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
Steve Maxham - Engineering
Steve has been in the manufacturing field for over 20 years. Steve brings his expertise in robotics, automation, designing, and technical problem solving to Custom Rubber Corp. and has us to become a leader in the rubber industry by introducing new technologies, not yet used before.
Steve’s engineering background has empowered him with an extensive skill-set of experience. He has spent the majority of his career working with robotic welding systems, developing better production processes, efficient welding programming, and improving fixture designs. In addition to the manufacturing field, he had also spent a brief time as a computer service technician for local hospitals.
“Transitioning from metal to rubber has been a challenging endeavor, but every day brings new challenges, new experiences, new rewards, and it makes a job worth doing.”
Van Walworth - Engineering Consultant
Van is a product design and development specialist, with particularly keen skills with resilient related products such as rubber. Van applies these skills as a hands-on practitioner, and through industrial consulting, independent research projects, international educator/instructor seminars, author, and technical presentations.
Van spends one week at a time at Custom Rubber Corp., approximately three to four times per year assisting the company with process improvement ideas, scrap reduction techniques, and training internal employees on rubber processing, trouble shooting, and problem solving.
In addition to 17+ years teaching and consulting, Van's education includes:
- Parker Hannifan, Chief Engineer
- Wynn's Precision, Vice President, Engineering
- Instructor at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Continuing Education