A Supply Chain so Deep, You’ll Need a Snorkel
One of the nation’s largest and most extensive manufacturing sectors, West Michigan is home to industry leaders in applied technology, sustainable practices and industrial design. The region has some of the nation’s largest industry concentrations in metals, plastics, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, production technology, automotive, office furniture and food processing. Some of our greatest growth, however, has come from new opportunities in alternative energy and materials, electronics and information technology, aerospace and defense, life science and professional services.
West Michigan’s manufacturers are also commercialization partners for the many research centers, innovators and universities found here. Organizations like the
Van Andel Institute, the
Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), the
University Research Corridor and
MSU Business Connect are collaborating with innovators and West Michigan companies to drive the development of everything from new, water-saving technologies, to wireless recharging platforms for electronic devices.
Success Stories
The stories of these West Michigan companies not only illustrate their adaptability and drive, but also the abilities of West Michigan manufacturers to commercialize new ideas.
Paragon D&E
Paragon D&E’s Italian-made, double gantry, five-axis FIDIA milling machine, is about the size of a car wash and can easily cut the entire fuselage of an F-22 Raptor fighter jet within a hair's width of tolerance. It's the largest of its kind in North America and one of perhaps only a handful in the world. In 2009, the Grand Rapids-based mold supplier invested $3.5 million in the technology, as well as a significant amount in its employees to provide large, highly-precise molds and machined parts created efficiently by self-directed teams. Paragon has since landed several contracts using the new capabilities including some from the U.S. Defense Department. The 2009 investments are just the latest developments in the last five years that has seen Paragon’s customer base expand to include companies in the aerospace, alternative energy, automotive, heavy truck, and agriculture industries.
TwistHDM, L.L.C.
Best in Show is just the latest honor for TwistHDM, L.L.C., an affiliate of Twisthink, L.L.C, and a leader in the development and commercialization of wireless capabilities to niche markets. TwistHDM was recognized by the International Parking Institute for its new LimeLight wireless lighting system. Already in use in several West Michigan manufacturing facilities, LimeLight wirelessly controls banks of lights using dimming, motion detector and light-sensing technologies. The system provides only the amount of light needed to illuminate an area at any given time, making energy usage much more efficient. An initial installation of 75 wireless, linked fixtures, each with three programmable fluorescent tubes, was installed in 2009 as a pilot project in the Ellis Parking Co. garage in downtown Grand Rapids. Twist estimates that national adoption of its technology in public parking ramps alone could save companies and municipalities nearly $800 million annually.
Fulton Innovations
Fulton Innovations, a fellow subsidiary of Amway Corp. made headlines in 2009 when Dell announced its new Latitude Z laptop would include Fulton Innovations’ eCoupled wireless charging technology. The wireless charging option combines a special coil built into the base of the laptop with a special stand with another coil. To recharge the laptop's battery, the stand plugs into the wall and a user simply sets the laptop on top of the stand without the need for additional plugs. Dell adopted the technology as a way to differentiate its product from competitors. Fulton continues to work with Dell, chip maker Texas Instruments and other partners to make the wireless charging technology as ubiquitous to technology consumers as the power windows on their cars.
AFID Therapeutics Inc.
AFID Therapeutics Inc. – a client of the Michigan State University (MSU) Bioeconomy Institute in Holland – has landed three federal orders for “a new high-purity reactant.” Some 1,500 pounds of the material has been purchased and will be used in launch systems. The carbohydrate-based substance is used in propulsion, and like AFID’s pharmaceutical products now in the marketplace, is based on plant material. The company said it is not explosive, but further details were not released due to the government’s national security concerns.
AFID’s founder, MSU Professor Rawle Hollingsworth, said the fact that the facility was designed for the type of R&D and scale-up processes his company needs was key to the AFID decision to operate there.
“But even more important, West Michigan has the experienced workforce in pharmaceuticals to draw on and the infrastructure to support AFID beyond this step.” Ultimately, AFID Therapeutics hopes to employ 10 engineering and chemistry specialists there, in addition to a similar number at its Lansing laboratory.
To learn more about our location advantages, contact us or talk to our Business Development team.