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Advances in materials position plastics manufacturers for new markets, growth
Innovations in polymer science have produced plastics that are lighter than aluminum and relatively durable, causing manufacturers and their customers to take a new look at how to use the materials. Innovations in polymer science have produced plastics...
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‘STILL STRONG’: M&A helps plastics manufacturers diversify, find growth
Mergers and acquisitions activity among plastics manufacturers has been uneven as the supply of assets shrinks, demand grows and threats to the economy build. Mergers and acquisitions activity among plastics manufacturers has been uneven as the supply...
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Tight labor market drives ‘disruptive’ automation in plastics manufacturing
The desire to continue to grow and keep production in West Michigan despite a crippling labor shortage remains the principal driver for Byrne Electrical Specialists Inc.’s adoption of automation. The desire to continue to grow and keep production in...
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Q&A: Gene Hawkins Vice President of Engineering, ADAC Automotive
Gene Hawkins, vice president of engineering at ADAC, spoke with MiBiz about how the company is looking at R&D and where it sees the future of plastics in the automotive industry. ADAC Automotive, a Tier 1 manufacturer of vehicle entry systems, door...
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Yanfeng Automotive to sell off Grand Rapids-area operations
CASCADE TOWNSHIP — Automotive supplier Yanfeng US Automotive Interior Systems has entered into an agreement to sell the company’s Grand Rapids-area operations to a new automotive-focused private equity firm, MiBiz has learned. CASCADE TOWNSHIP —...
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West Michigan auto suppliers brace for continued upheaval
Regardless of when the historic UAW strike against General Motors Co. ultimately ends, the disruptive effect of lost production and earnings will linger, putting further strain on an industry already flagged by slowing sales and tariff disputes with...
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Gill Industries explores sale of downtown Grand Rapids plant to Spectrum Health
GRAND RAPIDS — Stamping manufacturer Gill Industries Inc. is exploring its options to sell its facility on Bond Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids as Spectrum Health has proposed a new $100 million building at that site. GRAND RAPIDS — Stamping...
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Amway sues unauthorized eBay seller for trademark infringement
ADA — Amway Corp. and parent company Alticor Inc. recently filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against an eBay Inc. seller based in Brooklyn, N.Y. ADA — Amway Corp. and parent company Alticor Inc. recently filed a trademark infringement lawsuit...
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Startups move indoors in race to find future farming solutions
Traditional, outdoor agriculture is profoundly dependent on climate, but high-tech indoor farms that grow premium, hyper-local produce for consumers year round may be commercially viable in the future. Traditional, outdoor agriculture is profoundly...
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M&A Awards: Values play primary role in Structural Concepts’ retirement-initiated sale
An emphasis on shared family values and the promise of continued investment and growth made last year’s sale of privately-owned Structural Concepts Corp. to private equity firm Mason Wells a “very friendly, reasonably smooth deal all the way along.” An...
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Manufacturing indicators point to long-promised economic downturn
On top of ongoing trade disputes and the disruptive GM strike, two statistical gauges of the U.S. manufacturing industry hit new lows, leaving economists and manufacturers preparing for a meaningful economic shift from a decade of growth. On top of...
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M&A Awards: Red Level leverages similar culture, values in deal for C/D/H
The February deal for Grand Rapids-based tech firm Conway, Dierking & Hillman Inc. allows Red Level Networks LLC to expand its client list, core I.T. services and reach across the state. The February deal for Grand Rapids-based tech firm Conway,...
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M&A Awards: Porter Hills merges with United Methodist Retirement Communities to better serve seniors
The March 2019 merger of Porter Hills Presbyterian Village Inc. in Grand Rapids and Chelsea-based United Methodist Retirement Communities Inc. brought together the strengths of two like-sized and like-minded organizations. The March 2019 merger of...
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M&A Awards: Helminski pilots Auxo to grow companies while maintaining what’s ‘sacred’
Jeff Helminski, co-founder and managing partner of Auxo Investment Partners in Grand Rapids, successfully leveraged his atypical experience and path into the world of private equity in multiple deals last year. Jeff Helminski, co-founder and managing...
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UP IN SMOKE? Local vape manufacturers unlikely to survive flavor ban
GRAND RAPIDS — Before Ron Pease became the CEO of Mister-E-Liquid LLC, a Grand Rapids-based manufacturer of e-liquid used in electronic cigarettes, he smoked a pack a day for 15 years. GRAND RAPIDS — Before Ron Pease became the CEO of Mister-E-Liquid...
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Viking Products taps into demand for lightweight campers
CENTREVILLE — As consumer demographics shift and the economy slows, smaller products have become a big consideration for recreational vehicle manufacturer Viking Products Inc. CENTREVILLE — As consumer demographics shift and the economy slows, smaller...
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LOOKING OUTSIDE: Family businesses gain fresh perspective, stability with non-family leadership
Two years before Craig Wassenaar stepped into the role as president and CFO of Skytron LLC, a Cascade Township-based medical device company owned by the Mehney family, the plan for his next role with the business was already well underway. Two years...
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UFPI acquires Pallet USA, restructures
GRAND RAPIDS — An affiliate of Universal Forest Products Inc. (NASDAQ: UFPI) has acquired Hartford, Wis.-based Pallet USA LLC, expanding Universal’s industrial product-capacity and services in the Midwest. GRAND RAPIDS — An affiliate of Universal...
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Amway cuts 47 positions, more layoffs to come
ADA — Global direct-selling giant Amway Corp. has eliminated 47 information technology positions in another round of cuts to its workforce, the company confirmed to MiBiz. ADA — Global direct-selling giant Amway Corp. has eliminated 47 information...
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Michigan’s attractiveness grows among aerospace manufacturers
Michigan is the most attractive state in the Midwest for new aerospace manufacturing businesses. Michigan is the most attractive state in the Midwest for new aerospace manufacturing businesses. That’s according to a recent report from...
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