5/10/2023 - The Center was awarded $400,000 in federal funding designed to help companies in Michigan bolster their supply chains. The funding comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Expansion Awards Pilot Program, according to a Tuesday news release. The program is part of the CHIPS and Science Act, passed into law in August. Read the full article from crainsdetroit.com.
5/5/2023 - A company that makes suspension systems for military vehicles, a grassroots organization that takes a compassionate approach to working with substance abusers, and a technology center dedicated to supporting manufacturers were among local businesses honored Thursday in Mount Clemens. Read the full article at www.macombdaily.com.
4/6/2023 - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to advance U.S. manufacturing policy and economic competitiveness by establishing a National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The National Manufacturing Advisory Council – made up of manufacturers, labor representatives, and academic experts – would serve as a bridge between the manufacturing sector and federal government to improve communication on their needs. Read the full article from www.peters.senate.gov.
3/16/2023 - Bridgeport-based Amigo Mobility International Inc. had a problem. The nation's largest manufacturer of motorized manufacturing carts could not wheel them off the line fast enough to meet demand from stores flush with cash amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The family-owned company, whose biggest customers include Walmart Inc. and Kroger Co., has seen top-line growth of 25 percent for the past two years as it plans to hit $50 million in revenue this year. Headcount has grown at a similar clip, to about 145, with eight positions still open. With the help of a $10,000 grant through the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers Association, the company hired the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in 2021 to figure out why it couldn't churn out more than 80 units per day. Read the full article from crainsdetroit.com.
3/10/2023 - 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. Tighe earlier this year took over as MMTC’s president from Mike Coast, who served in the position for 21 years and 27 years total at the Plymouth-based organization that has regional centers across Michigan. Read the full article from www.mibiz.com.
3/8/2023 - Organizations with a high level of maturity can consistently turn challenges into opportunities. Organizational maturity is the measure of the quality of a company's operations. A company with a high maturity level is able to face challenges and seize on opportunities. Improving organizational maturity is a gradual process that emphasizes self-improvement. “In a maturing organization, two things are happening,” says Chuck Werner, Manager of Operational Excellence at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. Read the full article from www.smartsheet.com.
2/2/2023 - The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Plymouth Mich., has announced that Mike Coast, who has served as president for 21 years, is retiring after a 27-year career with the organization. Under his leadership, The Center has become a valuable resource for small to medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan. Read the full article from www.thefabricator.com.
2/1/2023 - Mike Coast, President of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center for the past 21 years, has announced his retirement after 27 years with the organization. As president, Coast has been responsible for a statewide network of five offices, its innovation and growth strategies, and for building and managing relationships with Michigan’s industry clients and state and federal governmental stakeholders. Read the full article from corpmagazine.com.
5/24/2022 - From cobots to data collection and analysis, Industry 4.0 is changing the way small and mid-size manufactures think about and grow their businesses. Yet with so many options for Industry 4.0 on the market, knowing where or how to begin this journey can prove challenging for companies who are busy focusing on the complexity of daily operations. Read the full article from mibiz.com.
5/24/2022 - The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) plans to merge its regional offices in the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City later this summer. Marquette-based Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit community development financial institution that works with small businesses and entrepreneurs, currently houses The Center-Upper Peninsula. Following the merger, Northern Initiatives plans to continue partnering with The Center both in the Upper Peninsula and across the state. Read the full article from mibiz.com.