Twelve Michigan food processing and agriculture companies will travel to Shanghai and Shenzhen, China next month on a trade mission with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

FRUITPORT — A connection Chris Witham made five years ago at a trade show in Anaheim, Calif. culminated in a major investment that will position Motion Dynamics Corp. for growth in the medical device industry.

As automakers have invested in high-profile technologies and lightweighting, they’ve also started to pay more attention to the place in their vehicles where drivers spend the most time: the interiors. 

NILES — One Southwest Michigan supplier of industrial coatings aims to double the size of its organization through a new expansion project.

The possibility of unattended driving, courtesy of Google or Apple, seems like a futuristic luxury, something out of a Dick Tracy cartoon in the memories of Baby Boomers. And yet, automakers are citing timelines that put it right around the corner. 

Despite ongoing concerns about a talent gap, employment in West Michigan’s construction industry continues to rise. 

GRAND RAPIDS — The planned opening of two Florida centers this fall will mark the first steps in a national growth strategy for Grand Rapids-based Neurocore LLC in the years ahead.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Valley Health Corp.’s decision to get out of the HMO business follows continued losses and years of dwindling membership, combined with pressures brought on by the federal Affordable Care Act.

GRAND RAPIDS — A strong marketplace combined with recent consolidation involving community banks lured Level One Bank from its base in suburban Detroit to the Grand Rapids market.

GRAND RAPIDS — Two teams of nonprofits in Grand Rapids this year received grants from national organizations focused on racial disparity in health outcomes.

When Bill Welter was searching for a location to start a distillery in 2010, he chose a site in Three Oaks, Mich. over his home state of Indiana.

Employers plan to stick with moderate pay raises for workers next year and at the same time put more emphasis on one-time payouts and merit bonuses.

Reda Jaber could have gone in a few directions after graduating in 2014 from the University of Michigan with a trio of graduate degrees.

With more limited resources compared to for-profit businesses but an equal need for talent, nonprofits must turn to other incentives for attracting and retaining qualified, passionate people.

As Rich Wolowski prepares to be the first non-family member to assume the role of CEO at Wyoming-based Gordon Food Service Inc., he says he’s laser-focused on maintaining the company’s customer relationships. Wolowski, who continues to serve as president and COO until Nov. 1, will oversee a growing company with 17,000 employees spread around the United States and Canada and annual revenue reportedly in excess of $11 billion. Wolowski spoke with MiBiz about preserving the corporate culture at GFS and his desire to maintain the organization’s small company feel during a period of growth. 

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Sept. 19, 2016.

• M&A: Zeeland-based BiaCare Corp., a manufacturer of compression garments and bandages, was acquired by SIGVARIS Group, a Swiss maker of medical compression textiles. BiaCare was founded 12 years ago and employs 22 people in Zeeland, according to a statement. The company developed a range of compression products with velcro wraps to treat lymphedema, lipedema and chronic venous insufficiency. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. SIGVARIS pursued the acquisition as part of its international growth strategy for medically complex compression applications, calling BiaCare “a pioneering leader” in the segment. For BiaCare, the deal “significantly increases our ability to provide physicians and therapists the compression solutions they need,” according to President Keith Hoffman.