Business Details
39 Years
experience
Trusted Engineering Solutions for Ports, Cranes & Aerospace
Casper Phillips & Associates (CP&A) was founded in 1987 by Bill Casper and Rich Phillips, building on pre-established global recognition as structural engineers specializing in container cranes. Our multi-disciplinary team of licensed engineers in the US, Canada, and China delivers specialized consultancy services to port, industrial, and aerospace clients. With over 35 years of expertise in crane engineering, we hold multiple patents, including the ship-to-shore (STS) crane base anti-seismic isolation system (BASIS). Our holistic approach addresses unique challenges in active marine terminals, ensuring designs meet rigorous standards while maintaining terminal operations.We serve global clients with advanced structural, mechanical, and crane engineering solutions, supported by proprietary software and bilingual engineers fluent in Chinese and English. Our aerospace projects include Boeing collaborations, such as stealth aircraft infrastructure and seismic upgrades for the world's largest building by volume. CP&A combines technical excellence with personalized client service, prioritizing clear communication and tailored solutions for complex engineering challenges.
Services
Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Crane Engineering
Finite Element Analysis
Aerospace Engineering
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of specialized crane engineering expertise with global project experience.
- Our patented seismic isolation systems enhance container crane safety in high-risk zones.
- Bilingual engineers fluent in Chinese ensure seamless communication for international clients.
- We provide multi-discipline engineering services licensed across the US, Canada, and China.
- Our holistic approach balances terminal operations with infrastructure upgrades in marine projects.
Services
Crane Engineering
CP&A specializes in comprehensive crane engineering services for container cranes, ship unloaders, gantry cranes, and material handling equipment. Our expertise spans procurement, design review, modifications, and failure analysis. With over 35 years of experience, we offer patented seismic isolation systems and custom solutions for challenging environments. Our services include condition surveys, expert witness testimony, and crane purchase planning to optimize wheel load calculations and design specifications.
Structural Engineering
We provide advanced structural engineering for industrial, port, and aerospace applications. Our team designs steel and concrete structures to withstand seismic, dynamic, and environmental loads. Services include finite element analysis, dock structure assessments, and seismic upgrades using non-linear friction dampers. We specialize in complex projects like Boeing's Everett assembly building, ensuring compliance with international codes while optimizing existing infrastructure capacity for modern crane installations.
Finite Element Analysis
CP&A employs finite element analysis (FEA) for structural and mechanical engineering challenges. Our capabilities include linear static, non-linear static, and non-linear time history analyses. We use FEA to evaluate container crane structures, machinery platforms, and specialized aerospace components. Our proprietary software enables precise modeling of complex systems, supporting seismic analysis, contact problems, and fatigue-resistant designs for rocket motor testing frameworks.
Flame Straightening
Our flame straightening services repair deformed steel structures using controlled thermal processes. This method restores pre-accident geometry for bridge girders, crane booms, and industrial equipment. We apply thermal upsetting techniques developed by the Holt family, combining metallurgical expertise with practical engineering. This cost-effective solution addresses plastic deformation in cranes and bridges while maintaining material integrity and structural performance.
Mechanical Engineering
CP&A's mechanical engineering services cover power transmission systems, custom machinery, and failure analysis. We design hoisting systems, linear travel mechanisms, and specialized equipment for hazardous environments. Our team develops retrofit solutions for aging cranes, including load sensing systems and trolley drive upgrades. We also provide forensic analysis to identify mechanical failures and implement preventive design improvements for industrial and aerospace applications.
People
Jeff Hubbell
President
Jeff has 35+ years of structural engineering experience, specializing in industrial facilities and material handling systems. He has led major crane modifications for the Massachusetts Port Authority and worked extensively with Boeing on critical 24/7 facilities across multiple locations.
Mike Zhang
Vice President
Mike brings 30+ years of mechanical and structural engineering expertise, focusing on crane design and third-party peer reviews. He has conducted QA/QC audits and accident investigations globally, utilizing advanced analysis tools for heavy industrial systems in aerospace, offshore, and shipbuilding sectors.
Andrew Hanek
Senior Engineer
Andrew has 10+ years of experience in container crane design and port equipment. He specializes in procurement specifications, site inspections, and software development for structural analysis. His work includes STS crane peer reviews and long-span truss system load path analysis.
Neil Hartman
Civil Engineer
Neil has 8 years of structural design experience with expertise in wood, steel, and concrete structures. He combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on construction experience to deliver practical engineering solutions for diverse infrastructure projects.
Tom Hubbell
Structural Engineer Emeritus
Tom has 35+ years of structural engineering experience, developing specialized software for time-history analysis. His programs optimized Boeing's facility upgrades, reducing retrofit costs by 65% while maintaining structural integrity for aerospace manufacturing operations.
Questions
What engineering services does CP&A specialize in?
We specialize in structural, mechanical, and crane engineering for ports, aerospace, and industrial clients. Our expertise includes finite element analysis, seismic design, flame straightening repairs, and custom crane solutions.
How long has CP&A been in business?
CP&A was founded in 1987 by Bill Casper and Rich Phillips, providing engineering services for over 35 years with a focus on crane and structural engineering.
Do you offer international engineering services?
Yes, our engineers are licensed in the US, Canada, and China. We serve global clients with bilingual engineers fluent in Chinese and English to minimize communication barriers.
What makes CP&A's crane engineering unique?
We hold multiple crane-related patents, including seismic isolation systems. Our team offers full lifecycle services from procurement planning to failure analysis, with expertise in custom designs for challenging environments.
Can you handle complex structural repairs?
Yes, our flame straightening experts repair deformed steel structures using thermal upsetting techniques. We restore geometry for cranes, bridges, and industrial equipment while maintaining material integrity.
What industries do you serve?
We primarily serve port operations, aerospace manufacturers, and industrial clients. Our projects range from container crane engineering to seismic upgrades for aircraft manufacturing facilities.
