Mohawk Valley-based Casestry Drives Innovation and Growth through NY MEP Partnership

Fast-growing local manufacturer has expanded workforce and customer base after tapping the region’s manufacturing experts to help scale operations and strengthen its supply chain

Founded in 2017 in Herkimer, New York, Casestry has grown from a small basement operation into a print-on-demand (POD) supplier of personalized products nationwide like custom phone cases, headphone cases, ring holders, coffee mugs and more. As the company started to take off, the founders, who both grew up in Herkimer County, knew they wanted to keep operations rooted in the Mohawk Valley—continuing to bolster the area’s manufacturing activity—but were running into operational challenges that needed to be addressed quickly.

To accelerate their growth, Casestry called on the New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP), a nonprofit network of expert advisors dedicated to helping small and mid-sized manufacturers innovate and scale. With the guidance of TDO Senior Project Managers Don Lynch and Bob Buttner, as well as Advanced Institute for Manufacturing (AIM) Director Cory Albrecht, Casestry unlocked significant operational improvements. The results speak for themselves:

• Casestry built an entirely new automated system and used more ocean freight systems, which decreased the per-unit cost by over 50% — adding up to $200,000 savings in total this year.
• By expanding its roster suppliers with TDO’s help, Casestry strengthened its supply chain continuity and resilience.
• Its stock-out rates dropped from 5% to 2%, generating an additional $225,000 in sales.
• Workforce stability was maintained in 2025, with 64 employees retained year-round, and the company’s first-ever production manager was hired to maximize efficiency on ongoing projects.
• Combined initiatives delivered $425,000 in impact—which Casestry has been actively reinvesting into its business.

Today, Casestry operates from a large production facility bustling with the energy of thousands of orders produced daily, with plans to expand. Showing no signs of slowing down, by the end of 2026, Casestry plans to bring its entire supply chain to the U.S. and eventually, within New York state.

“The support we’ve received from NY MEP has been transformative,” said Jared Marquissee, co-founder and COO of Casestry. “Their guidance helped us streamline operations, reduce costs significantly, and position ourselves for sustainable growth. We’re proud to be building a future where innovation and manufacturing in Herkimer can go hand in hand.”

In September, Casestry earned another significant recognition when it received a Leading EDGE Award from Mohawk Valley EDGE, which celebrates businesses that lead the way in their industries and drive the regional economy forward. This prominent recognition has given Casestry even more momentum heading into the new year.

“When Casestry first engaged the NY MEP, we could already see the untapped potential and opportunity for continued growth,” said Cory Albrecht, director at AIM. “Now with their refined processes—combined with the hometown grit and determination they show every day—we’re confident they will continue to excel and bring more manufacturing activity to Herkimer and New York State.”

“Casestry’s growth and their commitment to expanding the manufacturing industry both locally and statewide reinforce the major impact that the state and federal government delivers through their investment into the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership,” said Don Lynch, senior project manager at TDO.