Todd Kassal of Illinois: Driving Operational Excellence at CK RubberTrack with Quantum Computing

How a Project Manager Is Leveraging Quantum-Inspired Technology to Redefine Manufacturing Efficiency 

In the heartland of American industry, innovation often starts quietly—inside offices where operations are mapped out, supply chains are untangled, and project timelines are tightly orchestrated. For Todd Kassal, Project Manager at CK RubberTrack in Illinois, innovation also starts with a question: What if we used quantum computing to solve this?

That question has propelled Kassal to the forefront of a quiet revolution within traditional manufacturing. While the phrase “quantum computing” may evoke visions of white-lab-coated scientists and billion-dollar research labs, Kassal has made it something else entirely: practical.

He’s not building quantum hardware—he’s using quantum-inspired algorithms to solve real-world challenges in manufacturing, logistics, scheduling, and operations. The result? CK RubberTrack is now more resilient, agile, and cost-effective than ever—thanks to a project manager who blends strategic thinking with next-generation technology.

Understanding the Quantum Advantage—Without the Hype

Kassal is the first to clarify what quantum computing means in his work. “We’re not running million-dollar quantum processors,” he says. “What we’re doing is using quantum logic—algorithms inspired by how quantum systems behave—to find better solutions to complex business problems.”

These quantum-inspired models can sift through massive volumes of variables and interdependencies, identifying optimal outcomes far faster than traditional software. And for a business like CK RubberTrack, which makes durable rubber tracks for heavy equipment, those capabilities have huge implications.

From juggling international shipping delays to optimizing production schedules and managing tight inventory margins, Kassal is using this technology to rethink how decisions are made.

From Forecasting Guesswork to Predictive Precision

For years, CK RubberTrack’s demand planning was based largely on historical trends—relying on seasonal cycles and prior-year sales. But with fluctuating construction patterns, geopolitical instability, and material cost swings, those methods became increasingly unreliable.

Kassal implemented a quantum-enhanced forecasting system that pulls in far more variables: weather trends, commodity price indexes, equipment utilization data, and real-time market fluctuations. The system doesn’t just offer one forecast—it simulates thousands of scenarios and identifies the most probable and impactful outcomes.

This shift resulted in:

• • A 32% improvement in forecast accuracy
• • Reduced surplus inventory by 20%
• • Fewer stockouts during high-demand periods

“We’ve gone from being reactive to proactive,” Kassal explains. “We’re not just responding to the market—we’re anticipating it.”

Supply Chain Resilience Powered by Quantum Optimization

Supply chains have become one of the most fragile aspects of global business. At CK RubberTrack, delays in raw material shipments, bottlenecks at ports, and shifts in supplier reliability could all derail production. Kassal applied quantum-inspired route and supplier optimization models to create a smarter, more adaptive network.

These systems analyze:

• • Cost fluctuations in real time
• • Supplier risk profiles
• • Transit times under different global scenarios
• • Tariff changes and fuel price trends

When a critical supplier in East Asia experienced a shutdown, Kassal’s quantum-based models helped identify an alternative in South America within hours—avoiding weeks of delay and thousands in expedited shipping costs.

“We didn’t panic—we pivoted,” he says. “That’s what this technology allows us to do.”

Reengineering Scheduling for Speed and Flexibility

In a busy manufacturing facility, schedule disruptions—from machinery breakdowns to unexpected rush orders—are inevitable. But traditional scheduling software is rigid and slow to adapt. Kassal introduced quantum annealing-inspired scheduling tools that factor in machine availability, workforce shifts, order priority, and delivery deadlines simultaneously.

By analyzing countless permutations, the system continuously generates the most efficient possible schedule—and can reoptimize on the fly when disruptions occur.

Since deploying the tool:

• • Production throughput has increased by 22%
• • Late orders have dropped by 40%
• • Idle machine time has been cut nearly in half

“Efficiency isn’t about pushing people harder,” Kassal says. “It’s about giving them smarter systems that remove friction.”

Creating a Culture of Innovation, Not Intimidation

One of Kassal’s greatest strengths isn’t technical—it’s cultural. Introducing quantum computing to a manufacturing company could have easily felt intimidating or abstract. But Kassal made it approachable.

He rolled out user-friendly dashboards that explain quantum-driven insights in plain English. He hosted lunch-and-learns, gave every department a voice in tool development, and ensured the technology enhanced—not replaced—people’s roles.

“We’re not here to replace expertise,” he says. “We’re here to amplify it.”

This inclusive approach built trust and buy-in across departments, transforming quantum models into tools that empower rather than overwhelm.

Innovating at the Molecular Level: The Future of Product Development

Now, Kassal is setting his sights on quantum simulations for material science—a potential game-changer for rubber track development. Traditionally, testing new rubber compounds involves long cycles of prototyping and field testing. But quantum modeling can simulate how different materials behave under stress, temperature changes, and wear conditions—before a single batch is mixed.

This could dramatically accelerate R&D and lead to lighter, stronger, more durable products.

“Material innovation is where the next big leap is,” Kassal says. “And quantum will help us get there faster.”

The New Face of Industrial Leadership

Kassal’s work is a testament to what modern leadership in manufacturing can look like: not just managing timelines and budgets, but actively reimagining how problems are solved.

By integrating quantum computing into CK RubberTrack’s operations, he’s:

• • Increased forecasting accuracy and responsiveness
• • Built a more agile, disruption-ready supply chain
• • Streamlined production scheduling to unlock new capacity
• • Created a collaborative, future-focused company culture

And he’s done it not by chasing hype, but by carefully aligning cutting-edge tools with operational goals.

Final Thought

In an era where manufacturing often feels like it’s playing catch-up with digital innovation, Todd Kassal is flipping the narrative. From his post in Illinois, he’s proving that advanced tech like quantum computing isn’t reserved for Silicon Valley giants or scientific labs—it can thrive in machine shops and logistics teams, too.

For Kassal, the mission is simple: Use the best tools available to solve real problems, create better systems, and empower people. That mission is already transforming CK RubberTrack—and it may just inspire a new model for how manufacturing leaders everywhere approach innovation.