At Cresswood Shredding Machinery, excellence is not just a goal – it’s a standard that we strive to meet every day. For over 35 years, we’ve been relentlessly focused on one mission: designing and manufacturing the world’s most robust shredders and grinders. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement has helped us lead the industry in low-RPM, single-shaft shredding technology.
Engineering & Design: Crafting the Future of Shredding Solutions
The foundation of our success lies in our dedication to crafting products that are not only durable but also efficient and versatile. Our single-shaft, low-RPM design is at the heart of everything we do. This approach enables us to deliver maximum performance, reliability, and energy efficiency across a wide range of applications, from recycling and scrap recovery to secure document destruction and biomass processing.
Our engineers understand that different industries have unique needs, which is why we design our shredders and grinders with flexibility in mind. Whether you’re dealing with pallets, wood scrap, paper, plastic, or mixed-source materials, our machines are built to handle it all. With customizable cutting head geometries and indexable cutting teeth, Cresswood’s shredders and grinders maximize throughput and ensure uniform particle sizes, meeting even the most demanding material processing requirements.
Continuous Improvement: The “Destroyer” Series
Since the very beginning, Cresswood has been committed to continuous improvement. Our single-shaft shredders and grinders have earned a reputation for durability and high performance – and there’s a reason they’re known as “The Destroyer.” These machines are engineered to withstand even the harshest grinding conditions, making them ideal for applications such as secure destruction, scrap recycling, and biomass processing.
One of our key strengths is our ability to continuously refine and improve our products. We are constantly innovating to enhance their performance and longevity. Our Ever-New Technology is one example of this ongoing effort. Developed with maintenance operators in mind, it makes replacing wear components and performing machine rebuilds faster and easier. By focusing on critical wear points, we’ve extended the lifespan of our machines and reduced downtime, all while keeping total cost of ownership low.
Research & Development: Advancing the Industry
Innovation is at the core of everything we do. At Cresswood, we invest heavily in research and development to ensure that our products evolve in line with industry needs. Our engineering team’s commitment to precision manufacturing has resulted in continuous product improvements year after year. For instance, the Destroyer series grinders now incorporate enhanced durability and renewability features, ensuring that our customers can rely on our machines for years of trouble-free operation.
Our ability to innovate is also reflected in our work with challenging materials. Whether it’s a new rotor design for film shredding or a custom solution for a unique material, our engineers thrive on solving complex problems. The result? Shredders and grinders that not only perform but excel in some of the most demanding applications.
Meet the Engineering Team: The People Behind the Machines
At Cresswood, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. Our engineering team is the driving force behind the innovation and excellence that defines our brand. Let’s take a moment to spotlight some of the dedicated individuals who make it all happen.
Mark Anderson, VP of Engineering – 31 Years
“Our whole motivation all along has been to react to customer needs, that’s how we got into the shredding equipment,” says Mark Anderson, our VP of Engineering. “We’ve been fixing problems and improving the machine for 35 years. I feel blessed to work here because it gives me the freedom to be creative in solving engineering challenges.”
Mark’s leadership has been instrumental in driving Cresswood’s growth and innovation. His passion for engineering and commitment to customer satisfaction are reflected in every product we design.
Greg Allison, Engineer – 22 Years
Greg Allison, a senior engineer at Cresswood, has worked with the company for 22 years. He believes in continuous personal and professional growth. “Always strive to be better than yesterday. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse,” says Greg. “I’m grateful to work for a company that cares about each other and provides opportunities for growth. And Jack Cress, our founder, is the kindest, most caring man I’ve ever worked for.”
Greg’s dedication to continuous improvement is evident in his work, and he is a key contributor to Cresswood’s reputation for engineering excellence.
Steve Sarver, Engineering Manager – 8 Years
Steve Sarver, our Engineering Manager, has been with Cresswood for 8 years. According to Steve, the key to the team’s success is its commitment to collaboration. “Our customer is not just the person buying the equipment, but also the talented team across sales, service, fabricators, machinists, and machine builders,” Steve explains. “We pride ourselves on being a cohesive team, ready and able to serve one another quickly and accurately.”
One of Steve’s most memorable projects was developing a new film cutting rotor design. “Cresswood is very capable of being a major player in the film shredding industry, but a proper rotor design is a key component,” Steve reflects. “With Mark’s help, we created a rotor design that has proven very effective in the field. Seeing it go from concept to design to a successful final product was one of the most satisfying accomplishments of my career.”
Jeff Lauher, Engineer – 2 Years
Jeff Lauher, who joined Cresswood in 2022, brings over 12 years of design and manufacturing experience, including expertise in high-precision environments and Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff has worked with NASA, aerospace OEMs, and the Department of Energy, gaining valuable skills that align perfectly with Cresswood’s commitment to innovation and quality. As a father of three and a local resident of Cortland, Jeff is also inspired by Cresswood’s strong focus on charity and community impact. His expertise with SolidWorks, a powerful CAD and CAE tool, has had a significant impact on Cresswood’s product development, allowing the team to create 3D drawings of over 124 parts and digitally build their low-rpm grinders and shredders. Jeff’s contributions continue to help Cresswood modernize its operations, enhance design processes, and improve the customer experience.
A Culture of Collaboration and Care
What sets Cresswood apart is not just the technology we build, but the culture we nurture. From our engineering team to every department, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Cresswood fosters a workplace environment where team players thrive, and where the values of trust, respect, and care for one another are paramount.
For employees like Steve, Cresswood’s commitment to its people is a key part of what makes working here so special. “Cresswood puts the interests of its employees first. It’s a place where you can work hard, be a team player, and contribute to something meaningful. The company’s charitable endeavors reflect its Christian beliefs and values, which carry over into how management treats its employees,” Steve shares.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
As we reflect on 35 years of success, we’re more excited than ever for what the future holds. Our engineering and design teams are continuously exploring new ways to improve our shredding and grinding solutions, ensuring that Cresswood remains at the forefront of the industry.
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