Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Queen City Engineering & Design's Inspiring Journey During the Pandemic

The pandemic changed the way many businesses operate, forcing them to adapt quickly. Amidst this turmoil, Queen City Engineering & Design emerged as a leader, demonstrating resilience and creativity. Featured this month in Cabarrus Economic Development, their story illustrates how they turned significant obstacles into opportunities, particularly in public transport and healthcare.

Featured in the Cabarrus Economic - Featured Manufacturer- Rex and Ashley Carriker’s Concord-based business has expanded and earned national recognition for innovation. From custom barriers to major contracts with companies like Lilly, they’re pushing the limits of what a local business can achieve.

A Critical Turning Point: Adapting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

While navigating their next steps during the pandemic, Rex and Ashley learned that Mecklenburg County DSS needed barriers for their LTV vans, which transport elderly citizens to appointments but had seen reduced use due to COVID concerns. Rex quickly designed and installed a custom solution, getting the vehicles back in service in no time.They both recall having a lightbulb moment…if Mecklenburg County needed this, then other counties probably did as well. So, with a baby on one knee, and a phone in the other, Ashley started making sales calls across North Carolina. Within 2 days, they had customers all over the state.CK Rider had been wanting a similar barrier for years to protect their drivers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funded these upfits and Queen City’s workload continued to expand.“As a small company, we would do things no one else would do and I think that really helped us,” said Rex. “We could customize our barriers and install them, and we could do it quickly, which was what was needed at the time.”

Recognized for Innovation: Awards and National Recognition

In 2022, Queen City Engineering & Design received the NC Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s Leadership Award for Innovative Practice. They are sought after to speak at conferences across the country to share about best practices and innovative solutions. Ashley also now serves on their Advisory Board. As they showed us around their 7,000-square-foot warehouse, Rex talked about what opportunities lie ahead for the company. Whatever they tackle next, the Cabarrus EDC and the Cabarrus County community are sure to support their small business and others like them.

Expanding Solutions: From Public Transportation to Healthcare

They also worked with Providence Day School to install barriers in between student and teacher desks that allowed them to be the first school in Charlotte that reopened after the pandemic began.Eventually the need for barriers expanded to medical facilities and Queen City secured contracts with the Atrium Health Emergency Department and the Southpark Emergency Room. Those installations helped protect essential workers, while continuing to provide care for patients who needed it.“We would not have had these opportunities and been able to implement them so quickly if we didn’t have the staff on hand who could both create and manufacture these products,” said Rex.

A Commitment to Community

What truly distinguishes Queen City Engineering and Design is their devoted connection to the community. They recognize that their role transcends engineering; it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives. By concentrating on practical solutions for real-world problems, they have earned respect and trust as a partner in public transport and healthcare.

Their journey signifies the remarkable strength of innovation and determination. While many businesses faced uncertain futures, Queen City Engineering and Design not only navigated these challenges but flourished by remaining committed to their mission of service to the community.

A Lasting Impression

Queen City Engineering & Design's experiences during the pandemic exemplify how challenges can be converted into opportunities. Their capability to adapt and innovate not only benefited their business but also created a lasting, positive impression on the community.

As they continue to innovate in engineering solutions for public transportation and healthcare, their journey serves as a powerful lesson. It reminds us that with creativity, commitment to service, and community focus, we can overcome even our toughest challenges.

Inspiring Journey During the Pandemic