Michigan Manufacturers in the News

As you probably know by now, we’re pretty excited about manufacturing, particularly Michigan manufacturers. More and more attention is being focused on the industry between the most recent Manufacturing Day events from last week, to the latest Oakland County survey of manufacturers to identify needed skills.

 

We couldn’t resist replaying some of our favorite news feeds from the last ten days or so. Member Company and MMTC client Total Door hosted a best practice tour on October 1^st. Guests were treated to a behind the scenes look at the Waterford facility. Total Door’s dedication to innovation and investment in advance manufacturing processes has uniquely positioned them to gain ground in an industry overtaken by imports. Most of the independent American manufacturers have been absorbed by two large foreign conglomerates with over 85% of the industry controlled by these two firms. Total Door’s commitment to Oakland County and local sourcing has helped it to achieve an incredible 98% of local sourced materials, including 25% recycled steel, 80% post-consumer content and 20% post-industrial recycled materials.

 

Another Member company, Kremin Inc., was identified as one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies by Inc. Magazine, and reported by MLive.com. Kremin is preparing for its 30^th anniversary in November and is ready to expand and double its staff in the next two years. As a precision machine shop serving the aerospace, defense and automotive industry, Kremin has really diversified its customer base, leading to its recent growth surge. Inc. editor, Eric Shurenberg said, “They are the hidden champions of job growth and innovation, the real muscle of the American economy.”

 

Member Company, Perceptron, recently had its Helix Gauging System, a laser vision inspection unit, featured in GM’s corvette news release. While the corvette is built in Bowling Green, KY, Perceptron’s Helix Gauging System plays a key role in monitoring critical build features. Use of the new system has helped GM’s KY plant improve its tolerance targets by at least 25%.

 

And yet another Michigan manufacturer and Proud to Manufacture in Michigan program member, Dematic is helping its customers prepare for Halloween season. As a supplier of logistics systems for distribution centers and warehouses, Dematic’s RapidPick solution is helping retailers to pick smarter, faster, and more accurately. Bring on those costumes and accessories!

 

Dynamic Conveyor, another Proud to Manufacture in Michigan Member Company, was recently selected for the 2013 Michigan Excellence Award, by its peers and competitors, through a business survey conducted by the Small Business Institute for Excellence in Commerce (SBIEC). Recognized as having enhanced the commitment and contribution of small businesses through service to its customers and community, Dynamic is reinforcing Michigan’s positive reputation for being consumer driven. Dynamic’s innovative custom conveyor systems have been well received and are ideal for food, pharmaceutical and other applications where cleanliness and sanitation are required.

 

Member Company, Burr Oak Tool, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new state-of-the-art facility in Sturgis. Pictures from the event can be found on its Facebook page. Be sure to ‘Like’ them. The ceremony was Tuesday, October 8^th. We’re excited to see the growth and expansion, and soon to hear about the new jobs for Michigan.

 

Are you a Michigan manufacturer? We’d love to add you to the program. Are you making great products in the great lakes region? Making headlines? If you have news to share, please send us a link at kknapp@mmtc.org and you may see it here in the coming weeks.