MEDC makes new Industry 4.0 push with partnerships, $3M investment
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is making a new push to place Michigan manufacturers ahead of the curve on Industry 4.0 technology.
Craft beverage producers adapt marketing approaches, deal with supply chain headaches as pandemic drags on
The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying shutdowns of bars, brewpubs, taprooms and tasting rooms had an undeniably negative effect on West Michigan craft beverage makers and their balance sheets.
Craft beverage suppliers see highs and lows during the pandemic
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dennis Grumm’s brand of can seamers went from a luxury amenity to a requirement for many craft beverage producers.
Craft brewers retool to maintain profitability
Looking back on a 2020 plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ed Collazo didn’t sound like a business owner who just saw his company’s revenue plummet by half a million dollars for the year.
Woman-owned, gluten-free brewery makes a craft beverage splash
Brewery Nyx LLC owner Jessica Stricklen recently unveiled plans for what will be the first gluten-free microbrewery in Michigan, to be located at 506 Oakland Ave. SW in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood.
Entrepreneur to launch Michigan’s first gluten-free brewery in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS — Jessica Stricklen plans to open the first gluten-free microbrewery in the state of Michigan in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood.
Auto supplier GHSP names new president
HOLLAND — GHSP Inc., a manufacturer of control systems and technology solutions, named a new president today.
Petoskey Plastics plans $30M expansion in Texas to meet demand
Petoskey Plastics Inc. — a manufacturer of plastic films, bags and resin — aims to meet surging demand in one of its business segments by expanding its operation to a new facility in Texas.
Designer Joey Ruiter leaves minimalist mark on vehicle, furniture industries
Geography adds to talent challenges for northwest Michigan manufacturers
As Michigan manufacturers of all segments continue grappling with a persistent talent shortage and skills gap, furniture-maker Metalworks Inc. has to contend with a unique set of hurdles.
Hudsonville VAR company looks to make inroads with tech giants
HUDSONVILLE — As extended reality technology creeps into the mainstream with big names like Microsoft, Facebook and Apple racing to develop the best experiences for end users, the industry still faces several hurdles to mass adoption.
Product diversification helped Haworth soften nearly 20 percent sales decline in 2020
HOLLAND — While furniture maker Haworth Inc. absorbed an expected hit to sales in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company cited its diversification as a way of easing the blow.
Restaurant service provider 86 Repairs raises $2 million in funding round
GRAND RAPIDS — 86 Repairs Inc., a company based in both Grand Rapids and Chicago that partners with restaurants to provide end-to-end repairs and maintenance for kitchen equipment, recently closed a $2 million round of seed funding.
West Michigan food processing incubator opens in Muskegon
MUSKEGON — An 8,000-square-foot food processing business incubator in Muskegon is now open and accepting new tenants.
Soft North American contract furniture market drags Herman Miller sales lower
ZEELAND — Office furniture maker Herman Miller Inc. continues to feel the sting as office workers stay home because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
GR food startup Basalt finds brick-and-mortar home in Eastown
GRAND RAPIDS — From the moment Steven Martinez-Thiel launched his Grand Rapids-based food startup Basalt, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to derail it.
Michigan emerging as top market for sports betting, online gaming
Another busy stretch of sports betting and online casino gaming in Michigan has put the state among some of the top markets in the country.
SpartanNash announces new CFO amid shake-up in financial leadership
BYRON CENTER — Food distributor and grocery store retailer SpartanNash Co. recently announced its new chief financial officer who will take over the post on Monday.
UV Angel installs pathogen control technology at Michigan State University
GRAND HAVEN — UV Angel has installed its pathogen control technology in high-traffic areas on the campus of Michigan State University.
New compliance registry poised to lift furniture makers’ profile, products
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) unveiled a new digital tool this month that is poised to bring greater clarity to the market and help both specifiers and buyers quickly gauge the safety and durability of products.
Grandville manufacturer producing safer storage product for stamping dies
GRANDVILLE — A West Michigan manufacturer has developed a product that makes the process of storing heavy metal stamping dies safer and easier — and the industry is taking notice.
Ferris State moves forward with $29.5M Center for Virtual Learning
BIG RAPIDS — With recent approval to begin construction on a new facility, Ferris State University will eventually have a new home for a variety of degree programs while helping the school to develop more dynamic and effective methods of online learning.
West Michigan restaurants bend categories to survive tumultuous 2020
Jeff Lobdell’s portfolio of restaurants took a nearly 40-percent hit to its top line revenue during a COVID-19 pandemic-rattled 2020 that took a hefty toll on the hospitality industry.
MLCC launches new online liquor ordering system for licensees
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission took measures this week to streamline the ordering process for its 14,000 liquor licensees across the state.
UFP Industries subsidiary expands Australia presence with latest acquisition
GRAND RAPIDS — Wood products manufacturer UFP Industries Inc. recently expanded its presence in the Australian market with an acquisition made by one of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
Allendale plastics manufacturer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
ALLENDALE — A West Michigan injection molder that was acquired more than two years ago has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic after investing in operational improvements.
Haworth closes North Carolina manufacturing facility, citing consolidation ‘accelerated by current economic conditions’
Holland-based furniture manufacturer Haworth Inc. has closed a production facility in High Point, N.C., that it had operated since 1991.
Survey: West Michigan manufacturers emerging from pandemic with strong 2021 outlook
While the COVID-19 pandemic made life difficult for a majority of local manufacturing companies, industry officials are still overwhelmingly optimistic when looking at the year ahead.
High schools, tech companies launch virtual options during atypical sports seasons
Even as a small northern Kent County school with an enrollment shy of 400 students, Kent City High School has viewers from all over the country tune in and watch its sports teams in action.
Leading By Design partner discusses talent development tools for executives
When coaching business leaders about concepts like talent development and growing an operation from the ground up, Elizabeth Rolinski has the professional experience that commands credibility. Rolinski spent more than a decade working in lithium-ion battery operations at Johnson Controls International PLC and later for Clarios, a former subsidiary that spun out of the international conglomerate and is now a subsidiary of Brookfield Business Partners.