Crystal Ball 2019 Manufacturing Outlook: Headwinds, talent challenges tamp down forecast for manufacturing sector
Whether the West Michigan manufacturing industry continues on an ongoing growth trend in 2019 or veers into a contraction remains uncertain. Economist Paul Isely, associate dean for undergraduate programs in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, uses automotive, furniture, agriculture, and “amazingly nowadays” aerospace manufacturing to find the pulse of where the region’s economy is headed in the coming months and years.
Crystal Ball 2019 Manufacturing Roundtable: Manufacturing execs shift focus to internal operations, efficiencies in 2019
West Michigan-based manufacturing executives think 2019 marks a good time to take a pause from the recent breakneck pace of capital investments and acquisitions to focus on operations. That’s the general consensus from local manufacturing leaders across a range of industries who participated in a forward-looking roundtable discussion with MiBiz earlier this month.
BUYING SPREE: With flurry of deals, office furniture companies seek to fill product gaps
Whether via acquisition or partnership agreements, West Michigan’s office furniture makers are looking to fill product holes with their recent spate of deals.
4 industry perspectives on how automation is reshaping manufacturing
Spurred on by tax reform, a need for innovation and the current talent shortage, manufacturers increasingly have embraced automation on their shop floors.
Bringing Home to Work: ‘Resimercial’ office products dominate at NeoCon
CHICAGO — After years of shifting between private spaces and open office floor plans, the office furniture industry seems to have settled on a happy medium.
Despite uncertainty, talent concerns, manufacturers remain bullish on economy
Even with the underlying uncertainty caused by the presidential election, West Michigan manufacturers remain generally optimistic about the year ahead.
Freedom of choice: Employers seek blended office settings to offer workers options
CHICAGO — After several years of vacillating between open office concepts and private spaces, the so-called “pendulum shift” in office furniture seems to have settled into a new normal.
Kent County to explore sustainable business park at Byron Center landfill
BYRON CENTER — West Michigan could become a hub for innovative waste processing companies in the coming years.