Todd Kassal of Illinois: Blending Tradition with Technology—How
Quantum Computing Is Reshaping CK RubberTrack
An Inside Look at How One Project Manager Is Future-Proofing Manufacturing Through Innovation
In Illinois, where steel, sweat, and precision craftsmanship form the backbone of manufacturing, Todd Kassal, Project Manager at CK RubberTrack, is redefining what it means to lead. Not by shouting orders or chasing trendy tech, but by smartly integrating quantum computing techniques into the operational fabric of a business that’s as hands-on as it gets.
CK RubberTrack manufactures durable rubber tracks for construction and agricultural equipment— products that need to be tough, reliable, and ready to roll. But behind the sturdy exterior of those tracks lies a production process that’s anything but simple: volatile supply chains, shifting demand, complex logistics, and razor-thin margins. That’s where Kassal is making his mark—not just managing complexity but optimizing it using quantum-inspired tools.
The result? A traditional company that’s now operating with next-generation intelligence.
Rethinking Project Management in the Quantum Era
To Kassal, project management isn’t just about Gantt charts and checklists—it’s about strategic orchestration. That means making high-quality decisions fast, especially when faced with competing priorities and incomplete information. Quantum computing, with its ability to model probabilities, optimize massive data sets, and simulate multiple outcomes at once, fits that challenge perfectly.
“We don’t need a quantum computer on the shop floor,” Kassal says with a grin. “What we need are smarter ways to make decisions—especially when the clock is ticking and the margin for error is thin.”
Kassal has introduced quantum-inspired optimization models—algorithms designed to mimic quantum systems but run on classical computers. These models help CK RubberTrack streamline planning, anticipate disruptions, and allocate resources with newfound precision.
The Forecasting Fix: Preparing for What Comes Next
One of Kassal’s first major initiatives was overhauling demand forecasting. Like many manufacturers, CK RubberTrack used to rely heavily on historical averages and seasonal cycles. But in an unpredictable market—marked by supply shocks, weather extremes, and shifting construction trends—that approach wasn’t cutting it.
Kassal deployed quantum-based probabilistic forecasting tools, capable of analyzing complex interdependencies and running simulations across thousands of scenarios. These tools factored in variables such as:
• Historical sales data
• Macroeconomic trends
• Equipment leasing cycles
• Material availability and pricing
The results? Forecast accuracy jumped dramatically. The company reduced excess inventory while simultaneously avoiding costly stockouts.
“We’re no longer reacting—we’re predicting,” Kassal explains. “And that’s a game-changer in manufacturing.”
Quantum-Powered Supply Chain Optimization
In manufacturing, a weak link in the supply chain can bring everything to a standstill. That’s why Kassal focused next on supply chain resilience—using quantum-inspired algorithms to map out supplier dependencies, transportation risks, and cost-time trade-offs.
These models allowed CK RubberTrack to:
• Evaluate alternate sourcing strategies
• Respond to shipping delays with dynamic rerouting
• Optimize order batching to minimize freight costs
In one case, a sudden spike in container costs from Asia threatened to double logistics expenses. Kassal’s system modeled new routes through alternate ports and shifted some volume to domestic suppliers, avoiding the worst of the impact.
“Being proactive in logistics used to mean making a lot of educated guesses,” he says. “Now we have concrete, data-backed options.”
Shop Floor Efficiency: Quantum Logic Meets Rubber and Steel
Quantum logic isn’t just helping Kassal plan from the office—it’s also transforming how the factory floor is run. Production scheduling is a complex web of machine availability, shift scheduling, maintenance windows, and variable lead times.
With quantum-enhanced scheduling algorithms, Kassal can now generate plans that account for all those constraints in real time. The system recalculates instantly when conditions change—say, a machine goes down or a rush order arrives.
Since implementing the system, CK RubberTrack has:
• Increased overall production efficiency by 25%
• Reduced costly rescheduling by 40%
• Improved on-time delivery rates across customer segments
“It’s like having a chess master playing ten games at once—except the chessboard is our operations,” Kassal says.
Training Teams to Embrace the Tech
For all the sophistication of quantum tools, Kassal knows that culture eats strategy for breakfast That’s why he spent as much time educating his team as he did building systems. From the warehouse to the executive suite, he’s helped people understand what quantum-inspired tech can (and can’t) do—and how to use it to their advantage.
He rolled out training modules, user-friendly dashboards, and collaborative pilot programs. Employees could offer feedback, ask questions, and see results unfold in real time.
“It wasn’t about saying, ‘Here’s the tech, now use it,’” Kassal explains. “It was about saying, ‘Here’s how this tool helps you do your job better.’ That’s how we got buy-in.”
The Next Phase: Innovation at the Molecular Level
Kassal’s innovation journey doesn’t stop at planning and scheduling. He’s now collaborating with R&D to explore how quantum simulations can drive new product development, especially in testing new rubber compounds.
With quantum models, engineers can simulate the physical properties of potential materials—like elasticity, heat resistance, and wear tolerance—before ever mixing them in a lab. That could reduce testing cycles from months to weeks and give CK RubberTrack a significant edge in durability and product performance.
“This could change how we innovate,” Kassal says. “Faster prototypes. Better products. Less waste.”
Tradition Meets Transformation
What makes Kassal’s story remarkable isn’t just his use of quantum computing—it’s that he’s applying it inside a traditional business. He’s not wearing a lab coat or working at a think tank. He’s on the ground, managing real projects, guiding real teams, and delivering real results.
By blending practical operations management with advanced technology, he’s helping CK RubberTrack evolve from a solid manufacturer to a smart manufacturer—one that’s built not just to survive but to lead.
Final Takeaway
In a world filled with hype and abstraction, Todd Kassal is doing something rare: turning advanced technology into actionable results. His work at CK RubberTrack proves that quantum computing—when applied thoughtfully—can solve the complex, messy, high-stakes problems faced by manufacturers every day.
For Kassal, quantum computing isn’t a trend. It’s a tool. And in his hands, it’s helping reshape the future of American manufacturing—one optimized decision at a time.