Displaying items tagged: manufacturing
Auxo adds to Precision Products Group platform with deal for Ohio-based niche manufacturer
GRAND RAPIDS — Private equity firm Auxo Investment Partners has added to a platform of manufacturing companies with a recent deal for Ohio-based Saylor Technical Products LLC.
Return-to-office delays, economic pressures weigh on sales for MillerKnoll, Steelcase
Executives at MillerKnoll Inc. and Steelcase Inc. expect that their sales will ease slightly in the months ahead.
Southwest Michigan diesel engine remanufacturer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
NILES — A Southwest Michigan retailer and machine shop specializing in refurbished diesel engines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy less than two years after incorporating, citing mounting warranty claims and broader supply chain disruptions.
West Michigan metal fabricator invests $15.5M to diversify into EV space
A West Michigan metal fabricator is making significant investments to bolster its presence in the electric vehicle battery production sector.
Ford factory subsidies, at $690,000 per job, tally up to much more than other deals
LANSING — Michigan notched a win with Ford Motor Co’'s decision to build a $3.5 billion, 2,500-job electric vehicle battery factory in Marshall.
Hair products manufacturer to permanently close Grand Rapids-area production plant, lay off 68 workers
CALEDONIA TWP. — A New York City-based producer and seller of hair care products plans to close a Grand Rapids-area production facility by the end of the year, resulting in nearly 70 permanent layoffs.
Shape CEO discusses EV transition opportunity, state incentives strategy, inclusion in Ottawa County
Mark White sees the massive disruption in the automotive industry caused by electric vehicles as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Gotion floats bigger battery plant plan as it awaits approvals
Gotion Inc.’s multibillion-dollar electric vehicle battery factory proposal near Big Rapids has swelled by 1 million square feet and 200-300 additional jobs despite lingering uncertainty that the project will even happen.
Talent solutions take center stage at auto supplier symposium
GRAND RAPIDS — Tier 1 automotive supplier Gentex Corp. has hired roughly 500 new employees over the past two and a half months, making a major dent in the Zeeland-based company’s unfilled positions.
New MMTC president plans Industry 4.0, supply chain strategies
Ingrid Tighe brought more than a decade of experience in economic and workforce development to her new role as president of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, where she will help small and mid-sized companies adopt supply chain and automation strategies.
Gotion exec: $2.4 billion EV battery plant near Big Rapids ‘not a done deal’
Gotion Inc. hopes to move forward with a $2.4 billion EV battery parts plant in the Big Rapids area, but it has a backup plan that could involve leaving the state if the deal falls apart, said Chuck Thelen, the company’s vice president for North American operations.
Perrigo backs off on M&A to focus on integrating recent deals, reducing debt
GRAND RAPIDS — Perrigo Co. plc intends to pause M&A for the next couple of years to focus on improving performance and profitability as it works to reduce its debt load.
New statewide scholarship program aims to lure next generation of EV, mobility workers
State officials are partnering with major universities and auto-sector employers on a new statewide scholarship program aimed at developing talent in the electric vehicle and mobility space.
Amway 2022 sales dip on strong U.S. dollar, affiliate sale, withdrawal from Russia
ADA — Direct-selling giant Amway Corp. reported a slight sales decline in 2022 from the prior year, citing the strength of the U.S. dollar, the sale of an affiliated nutritional supplement company and the company’s withdrawal from Russia.
Gotion EV battery plant near Big Rapids needs 2,350 workers. Ferris State plans to train them.
Ferris State University is working to roll out an accelerated electric vehicle battery manufacturing training program to build a pipeline of workers for a planned $2.4 billion battery plant in the Big Rapids area.
Gotion reassessing $2.4 billion factory footprint in Big Rapids area
Chinese battery parts manufacturer Gotion Inc. is reassessing real estate plans for a $2.4 billion factory in the Big Rapids area after scrutiny from a township board.
Auxo grows wire harness platform with Tack Electronics acquisition
Auxo Investment Partners’ acquisition of a West Michigan manufacturer has both in-state and national growth opportunities for the Grand Rapids private equity firm.
Haworth eclipses pre-pandemic record with $2.5B in revenues, driven by new product sales
HOLLAND — Furniture manufacturer Haworth Inc.’s global sales reached a record $2.5 billion in 2022, driven in part by new products designed to help employers bring people back to the office and accommodate hybrid and remote work models.
Office furniture dealers see an unlikely resurgence
It’s been nearly three years since the COVID-19 pandemic upended office markets around the country, including in Michigan.
Buell partners with West Coast motorcycle designer on new Super Cruiser model
CASCADE TWP. — Fresh off a new round of fundraising, Buell Motorcycle Co. has unveiled a partnership with a well-known industry designer to launch a new Super Cruiser production concept for the West Michigan-based high-performance brand.
Amazon supplier Speedrack Products Group sells to ESOP to preserve local ownership, culture
WALKER — Speedrack Products Group Ltd. has become one of the latest West Michigan companies to transition to employee ownership.
Why Ford chose Marshall for $3.5 billion EV battery plant
Ford Motor Co. announced Monday plans to build BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant that would create 2,500 jobs in Marshall. But it wasn’t always destined for Michigan.
Language, child care, transportation: Gentex tackling key drivers of labor shortage
GRAND RAPIDS — Gentex Corp.’s recently announced plan for a satellite production facility in the city of Grand Rapids is the Tier 1 auto supplier’s latest phase of a multi-pronged effort at attracting talent.
Ford set to announce $3.5 billion EV battery plant in Marshall, sources say
Ford Motor Co. will announce Monday details of a massive electric vehicle battery plant it has decided to build in Marshall, two people with knowledge of the company's plans told Crain’s.
Residents raise concerns as Ford-CATL consider Marshall megasite for EV battery factory
As Ford Motor Co. and its Chinese battery partner close in on a home for a $3.5 billion EV battery plant, some residents are speaking out against development of the megasite in Marshall.
Gentex agrees to pay $4M to resolve SEC charges involving employee bonuses
ZEELAND — Tier 1 automotive supplier Gentex Corp. has agreed to pay $4 million to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges involving the company’s alleged accounting failures with executive and employee bonuses.
Auxo Investment Partners expands wire harness platform with 2 acquisitions
GRAND RAPIDS — Auxo Investment Partners has acquired two manufacturers that produce custom wire harnesses, cable assemblies.
Wolverine divests Keds brand to retailer DSW’s parent company
ROCKFORD — Not even a multi-year sponsorship deal with pop megastar Taylor Swift could right the ship for Keds, a flagging lifestyle footwear brand that Wolverine World Wide Inc. has owned for the last decade.
Shyft Group plans $16M expansion near Lansing to produce EV delivery vans
CHARLOTTE — Specialty vehicle manufacturer The Shyft Group Inc. plans to invest $16 million to expand its engineering and manufacturing capabilities in Charlotte to produce the company’s Blue Arc EV Solutions brand of electric commercial vehicles.
Valve supplier to lay off 40% of workforce in Marshall
A valve supplier in Marshall is planning to lay off 81 employees through the end of September, according to a notice filed with the state.