After one of the largest political upsets in recent history, West Michigan automotive suppliers have started assessing how a Donald Trump presidency could affect their industry. 

After 35 years under the ownership of founder Arlen Smith, Central Interconnect Inc. has been sold to new owners at the culmination of an 18-month-long process.

For today’s engineering graduates, technical expertise remains paramount, but companies are asking more of their young workers, especially when it comes to so-called soft skills and the basics of business. 

HART — After operating for a decade, The Starting Block has helped the West Michigan craft food movement grow from an idea into the fledgling industry it is today.

HOLLAND — Stepping into the showroom at Cento Anni LLC is a sensory experience. 

While West Michigan may lack the depth of resources and talent that some regions of the country possess when it comes to the medical device industry, it may have one key advantage: the affordability of its contract manufacturing. 

After several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Jed Welder knew that he needed a change. The 14-year military veteran grew up on a family farm but left at a young age for a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps before later transitioning into the U.S. Army. As his military career came to an end, Welder yearned for the freedom, challenge and accomplishment that comes through farming.

The Eastown Business District is poised to get its second brewery.

KALAMAZOO — Researchers at the Michigan Geological Survey hope a state grant will better position government, businesses and other stakeholders to understand the natural resources that lie under the ground. 

As waves of baby boomers continue to reach retirement age, many have faced the prospect of selling the manufacturing companies they’ve built over the years. 

GALESBURG — After more than 50 years operating in the same building, Impact Label Corp. has relocated its headquarters from Kalamazoo to Galesburg. 

ZEELAND — The talent crunch has created a conundrum for many West Michigan manufacturers. 

NEW BUFFALO — A trademark dispute between two craft brewers has turned into a holy war of sorts. 

When Brink Farms Inc. began construction on a rail yard off Turner Avenue in northwest Grand Rapids in 2014, the Hamilton-based bulk transportation firm hoped to alleviate capacity constraints and better serve customers shipping cargo south through the city. 

Citing a “challenging external environment,” Whirlpool Corp. reported flat earnings for its third quarter ending Sept. 30.

Despite relatively flat light vehicle production globally, Gentex Corp. generated double-digit sales growth in its third quarter, continuing a trend the company has maintained since the beginning of the year.

An ongoing saga of volatility in the global retail market has continued to drive down performance at Wolverine World Wide Inc.

It’s been a busy year and a half for David DeBoer.

When Tom Fehsenfeld decided to retire from the family business he led for the past 40 years, he found himself in a position familiar to many manufacturers exploring succession options. 

When Remos Lenio and Philip Blanchard set out to acquire their first company under a newly formed firm, the partners knew they had one chance to confirm what they saw as an unexplored market niche. 

While Bloem LLC had been hunting for in-house production capacity that would allow it to grow, the company found its solution in an unlikely place: an unsolicited email from one of its largest competitors.

When urban farming entered the mainstream thinking of community and economic developers, many prospective farmers envisioned a quick payday selling their products to high-end restaurants and other retailers. 

HOLLAND — As robotic technology continues to improve, manufacturers of automation equipment are finding their customers demand larger, more complex systems.

After 25 years with other institutions, Tom Lyons is returning to Michigan State University, where he first began his tenured career, to lead the Michigan State University Product Center. The Product Center provides coaching and mentoring services to entrepreneurs in the food processing and agribusiness sectors. Fresh into his new role, Lyons spoke with MiBiz about his long-term plans for the organization, which includes greater integration of services for entrepreneurs and expanding the capability of MSU Extension’s innovation counselors. 

CHARLOTTE — Spartan Motors Inc. has landed on the short list for a potentially large government contract to make the next generation of delivery vehicles for the United States Postal Service. 

After leaving their positions at Blackford Capital earlier this year, Jeff Helminski and Jack Kolodny have launched their own private equity firm with a goal to fill a gap in the market.

Zeeland Farm Services Inc. plans to invest $130 million into a new soybean processing facility in Ithaca, 45 miles north of Lansing.

A major player in Big Agriculture is poised to expand its influence in the industry.

GRANT — When Porous Pave Inc. began in 2008, the manufacturer of permeable paving technology had trouble tapping into the commercial market. 

BATTLE CREEK — Concerns over national security could spark wider access to a $100 billion industry for West Michigan manufacturers.