Introduction
Choosing the wrong caster for a hospital bed, IV pole, or surgical cart isn't just an inconvenience — it can mean floor damage, staff injuries, and failed equipment in environments where reliability is non-negotiable.
North Carolina's healthcare sector includes 108 licensed acute-care hospitals across more than 130 facilities with over 23,000 beds, supported by approximately 268,000 healthcare professionals. Keeping that infrastructure mobile and compliant starts with the right casters.
This guide covers the top 10 medical caster manufacturers and suppliers serving North Carolina, evaluated on product range, healthcare specialization, and service capability — so you can find the right fit for your facility.
TL;DR
- Medical casters must meet strict requirements for load capacity, noise control, floor protection, and infection control
- North Carolina has a robust medical caster supply ecosystem, from local NC-based manufacturers to national suppliers with strong regional presence
- Evaluate suppliers on medical-grade materials, brake reliability, corrosion resistance, and vendor support programs
- Humphries Casters supplies top-ranked U.S. hospitals and the #1, #2, and #3 long-term care organizations nationwide
Medical Casters in North Carolina's Healthcare Sector
Medical casters are swivel or rigid rolling assemblies specifically engineered for healthcare environments — hospitals, surgical centers, long-term care facilities, and medical labs. They differ from standard industrial casters in several key ways:
- Noise-dampened wheels for patient floor environments
- Antimicrobial materials that resist bacteria and fungal growth
- Non-marking wheel compounds that protect finished flooring
- Controlled braking systems for safe, reliable positioning
North Carolina's healthcare industry represents a significant market for medical mobility solutions. The state's 108 acute-care hospitals employ 268,000 healthcare workers and contribute to a manufacturing sector worth $108 billion (14.5% of state GDP).
Major health systems driving demand include Duke Health, UNC Health, Atrium Health, Novant Health, and WakeMed.
Sourcing from a supplier with documented healthcare experience matters — the requirements for clinical environments are specific enough that general industrial experience rarely translates directly. The list below covers the most reliable options available to NC healthcare buyers.
Top 10 Medical Caster Manufacturers in North Carolina
These companies were selected based on product quality, healthcare market experience, NC presence or service coverage, and client trust—not simply company size.
RWM Casters
RWM Casters is headquartered in Gastonia, NC and has built a strong reputation as a manufacturer of heavy-duty and specialty casters. Their dedicated medical product line covers shock-absorbing, stainless steel, maintenance-free, and kingpinless caster types for hospitals, surgical centers, and labs.
Why healthcare buyers choose RWM: RWM invented the Kingpinless™ caster and offers sealed raceway systems for debris-free operation—essential in healthcare environments where hair, lint, and bodily fluids can compromise standard casters. Their corrosion-resistant finishes withstand frequent disinfection. Custom fabrication capabilities serve healthcare OEM needs with load capacities from 100 lbs to over 18,000 lbs.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Shock-absorbing, stainless steel, kingpinless, and maintenance-free medical casters; custom fabrication |
| NC Headquarters | 1225 Isley Drive, Gastonia, NC 28052 |
| Best For | Hospitals, surgical centers, medical labs, and OEM medical equipment manufacturers |
Allied Caster & Equipment Co.
Allied Caster, based in Charlotte, NC, is one of the largest stocking caster distributors in the U.S. They carry over 50,000 caster combinations, including a broad selection of medical-grade casters from top brands, serving healthcare clients across the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
The standout difference: Their local inventory enables same-day availability for NC buyers—equipment downtime directly impacts patient care, and Allied's stocking depth reduces that risk. They carry specialty casters for hospital beds, stretchers, and medical equipment with central and directional locking systems, precision ball bearings, and non-marking wheels. Their technical support team helps facilities select the right caster without long lead times.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Wide-ranging stocked medical and institutional caster inventory from multiple brands |
| NC Location | 3841 Corporation Circle, Charlotte, NC 28216 |
| Best For | Facilities needing fast replenishment or multi-brand sourcing in the Carolinas region |
American Caster & Material Handling
American Caster operates a location in High Point, NC and offers a broad catalog of casters, wheels, and material handling components for medical and institutional applications. They maintain over $1 million in inventory across locations and stock over 35,000 different caster combinations.
Where American Caster excels: Their High Point location ships same-day (in by 10:00 AM, out by 2:00 PM) and supports Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery for OEM manufacturers—a meaningful advantage for medical equipment production schedules. Their inventory includes stainless steel and institutional casters suited to healthcare logistics and facility management across central NC.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Medical, institutional, and commercial casters; multi-brand inventory |
| NC Location | 2407 Surrett Dr, High Point (Archdale), NC 27263 |
| Best For | Mid-size healthcare facilities and MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) buyers across central NC |
Humphries Casters
Humphries Casters has been solving mobility problems for clients in the medical, industrial, and institutional markets since 1988. While headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Humphries serves healthcare facilities nationwide—including top-ranked hospitals and the #1, #2, and #3 long-term care organizations in America—making them a go-to resource for NC medical buyers who need specialized expertise, not just catalog fulfillment.
Why healthcare buyers choose Humphries: They go beyond standard catalog fulfillment with services most distributors don't offer:
- Product trials and samples before committing to a purchase
- Warranties that exceed the manufacturer's standard coverage
- Prototype support and competitive production pricing for OEM clients
- Sourcing for hard-to-find configurations that standard distributors can't supply
- Onsite in-service demonstrations for larger equipment like hospital bed movers
Their medical casters include non-marking polyurethane wheels, stainless steel options for sterilization environments, and central locking systems compatible with Hill-Rom, Joerns, Invacare, Hausted, Midmark, and Stryker equipment.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Medical, institutional, and industrial casters and wheels; onsite in-service; blanket order programs; custom sourcing |
| Service Area | Nationwide, including all NC healthcare facilities |
| Best For | Hospitals, long-term care organizations, and OEM medical equipment manufacturers needing expert-level support and evaluation programs |
Colson Group / MedCaster
Colson Group is one of the largest caster manufacturers in the world, and its MedCaster brand is specifically engineered for healthcare applications including hospital beds, IV stands, medication carts, and case carts. MedCaster products are available through a network of authorized distributors serving NC healthcare buyers.
The standout difference: MedCaster's products are built for specific healthcare applications rather than adapted from general-purpose designs. Key features include:
- Antimicrobial properties that inhibit bacterial growth
- TPR and polyurethane wheels that are non-marking and floor-protective
- MRI-compatible non-magnetic options for imaging suites
Their compliance with healthcare standards and strong brand recognition make them a reliable choice for medical OEMs.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Hospital bed casters, IV stand casters, medication cart casters, case cart casters |
| Availability in NC | Through regional distributors including Allied Caster, Service Caster, and CasterDepot |
| Best For | Medical OEMs and facilities needing brand-recognized, compliance-ready medical casters |
TENTE Casters
TENTE Casters is a globally recognized manufacturer with a strong presence in the medical caster segment. Their products are widely used in hospital beds, surgical carts, and diagnostic equipment, with US headquarters in Hebron, KY serving the NC market.
Where TENTE excels: TENTE specializes in central locking systems that secure multiple casters simultaneously, directional locks for precise positioning in long corridors, and hygienic designs that minimize contaminant-trapping crevices. They comply with DIN EN 12531 standards for hospital bed casters and hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certifications. Their European engineering and finish options appeal to medical OEMs with higher aesthetic and performance standards.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Swivel casters with central locks, directional locks, and hygienic/antimicrobial options for medical carts and beds |
| Availability in NC | Through U.S. distributors including CasterDepot and Conveyer & Caster |
| Best For | Medical cart OEMs and hospital procurement teams seeking premium European-engineered casters |
Hamilton Caster
Founded in 1907 in Hamilton, OH, Hamilton Caster is a well-established heavy-duty caster manufacturer. While primarily focused on industrial applications with load capacities up to 100,000 lbs, they offer stainless steel and shock-absorbing casters that can serve non-patient healthcare areas.
Where Hamilton fits in healthcare: Hamilton's strength is heavy-duty load capacity. Their stainless steel and shock-absorbing casters work well for facility management, laundry operations, and heavy material handling within hospital logistics. They do not have a dedicated medical product line comparable to MedCaster or TENTE, so they're best suited for non-clinical equipment rather than patient-care applications.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Heavy-duty industrial and institutional casters; stainless steel options |
| Availability in NC | Through regional distributors |
| Best For | High-load medical equipment applications such as operating tables and large mobile units in non-patient areas |
Service Caster Corporation
Service Caster Corporation is a national online caster supplier offering an extensive catalog of medical-grade casters, stainless steel options, and institutional casters. Their online platform explicitly lists hospital bed casters, IV stand casters, MRI-safe casters, and stainless steel options.
Why facilities use Service Caster: Their online catalog with medical-specific filters helps NC buyers quickly identify the right caster for a given application. They offer custom manufacturing for specific stem types and wheel materials. Fast shipping and no minimum order restrictions make them accessible to facilities of all sizes—whether ordering one replacement or a bulk quantity.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Medical-grade swivel casters, stainless steel casters, antimicrobial options, institutional casters |
| Availability in NC | Ships nationwide, no NC branch required |
| Best For | Facilities needing fast, low-minimum-order access to medical casters with strong online support |
Caster Connection
Caster Connection, headquartered in Columbus, OH, is a research-and-innovation-focused caster manufacturer and distributor that serves medical and institutional clients nationally. They offer over 170 medical-grade caster SKUs, including their CC Apex line designed for quiet operation and floor protection.
The standout difference: Caster Connection focuses on ergonomics and staff injury prevention—a differentiator in a market that often treats casters as commodity items. They publish white papers and case studies on push/pull force reduction, cite HCAHPS patient satisfaction scores as a metric improved by quieter casters, and test specifically for noise reduction and debris rejection (preventing hair buildup in wheels).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Ergonomic, institutional, and medical casters; national brand distribution; research-driven product development |
| Availability in NC | Ships nationally |
| Best For | Healthcare facilities focused on ergonomics and push-force reduction for staff injury prevention |
CasterDepot
CasterDepot has been a premier online caster supplier since 1980, offering a wide range of medical-grade and institutional casters that can be ordered and shipped to NC healthcare facilities without requiring local branch relationships. They distribute major medical brands including Colson, MedCaster, and TENTE.
Where CasterDepot stands out: Their no-minimum-order policy lets NC facilities order single replacements without penalty—useful when a piece of equipment needs an urgent fix. Same-day shipping for in-stock items, plus a broad selection of stainless steel, central locking, pneumatic, and antimicrobial casters, makes them a practical option for smaller facilities that can't justify bulk orders.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Offerings | Medical-grade, stainless steel, non-marking, and institutional casters; broad online catalog |
| Availability in NC | Ships nationwide from Wayland, MI |
| Best For | Small and mid-size NC healthcare facilities needing reliable online sourcing without minimum order constraints |
How We Chose the Best Medical Caster Manufacturers
We assessed companies on their documented experience supplying medical-grade casters, their product range covering key healthcare requirements (noise, infection control, load capacity, brake safety), and their ability to serve North Carolina facilities either locally or through national distribution.
The most common mistake buyers make: Choosing on price alone or sourcing from general industrial suppliers without verifying that casters meet healthcare-specific requirements—floor protection, non-marking compounds, antimicrobial materials, and regulatory compatibility.
The best medical caster suppliers offer support beyond the product itself:
- Product samples and trials for evaluation
- Onsite in-service for equipment demonstrations
- Blanket order programs for predictable inventory management
- Expert technical guidance for application-specific challenges
Suppliers who meet these criteria protect facilities from the downstream costs of a poor fit. Three technical guidelines shaped our evaluation:
- Load capacity: Each caster should handle at least 1/3 of total load weight (equipment plus patient/payload)
- Ergonomics: Casters that lower push/pull forces correlate to fewer workers' compensation claims
- Wheel material: Polyurethane or thermoplastic rubber prevents floor damage and noise complaints that hurt patient satisfaction scores
Conclusion
North Carolina healthcare facilities have access to strong local and national medical caster suppliers. The right choice comes down to matching a supplier's capabilities to your specific application — hospital beds, medication carts, surgical equipment, or large mobile units.
Evaluate total cost of ownership rather than unit price alone — and always request product trials before committing to large orders. The wrong caster can trigger real downstream costs:
- Floor replacement at over $10 per square foot
- Equipment downtime during critical care periods
- Workers' compensation claims from staff injuries
If you want a national distributor with a track record in healthcare, Humphries Casters has supplied top-ranked U.S. hospitals and the #1, 2, and 3 long-term care organizations in America since 1988. They offer product trials, expert sourcing for hard-to-find configurations, and warranty coverage that goes beyond what most distributors provide. Contact them at 800.733.4758 or Service@HumphriesCasters.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are casters in manufacturing?
Casters are rolling assemblies—typically a wheel mounted in a swivel or rigid frame—attached to the base of equipment to enable mobility. In manufacturing and healthcare settings, they allow heavy equipment to be repositioned safely without disassembly.
What makes a caster "medical grade"?
Medical-grade casters are specifically engineered for healthcare environments. Key features include:
- Non-marking, antimicrobial wheel compounds
- Sealed bearings that resist debris and fluid exposure
- Low-noise rolling for patient comfort
- Corrosion resistance to handle frequent disinfection
What wheel material is best for hospital floors?
Polyurethane and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) wheels are most commonly recommended for hospital floors because they are non-marking, low-noise, and gentle on polished tile and linoleum surfaces without sacrificing load capacity.
How do I know what load capacity I need for medical casters?
Divide total equipment weight (including load) by the number of casters, then add a 20-25% safety margin. Industry best practice recommends each caster support at least 1/3 of total load to account for uneven floors. Consult your supplier for precise ratings based on your specific application.
Do medical casters need to meet any specific certifications or compliance standards?
There is no single universal caster certification, but relevant standards include IEC 60601 (medical electrical equipment), ISO 22882 (hospital bed casters), and ANSI/ICWM (medical and institutional testing). Electrically sensitive equipment may also require static-dissipative or conductive ratings.
How often should medical casters be replaced?
Watch for visible wheel wear, swivel resistance, brake failure, or increased rolling noise—any of these signal replacement. High-traffic healthcare facilities typically evaluate casters annually as part of a preventive maintenance schedule.
