Connect with us

Michigan

Michigan small businesses benefit from overseas trade missions

Published

on

Michigan small businesses benefit from overseas trade missions


The backbone of Michigan’s economy has and continues to be manufacturing, which is why two times a year the state sends 10 small businesses overseas only to return with new customers.

Big picture view:

Advertisement

It’s all thanks to Troy’s Automation Alley and it has worked to the tune of $2.3 billion in new business.

This story starts in the middle with, well, the middle man.

“We want to see our children stay here like everybody,” said Tom Kelly, the CEO of Automation Alley. “And we have to create vibrant communities. One of the backbones of Michigan is manufacturing.”

Advertisement

Kelly leads the team at Automation Alley in Troy. Think of them as the bridge that brings Michigan manufacturers directly to the customers.

“There are 12,000 manufacturers in Michigan, we have 4,000 as members,” he said.

Advertisement

He says they have a formula that is proven – and works.

“We take them to these foreign countries, we set up appointments with companies that want to buy their products, and we help them close the deals,” he said. “Since we started, we have generated over $2.3 billion dollars for small manufacturers.”

The two trips coming up with take ten of these small businesses to Querétaro, Mexico in February and Paris, France in June of next year.

Advertisement

“By the way, here’s the kicker, it’s actually subsidized by the State of Michigan,” Kelly said. “So we can cover up to half of your travel expenses on these trade missions because guess what? It’s a huge win for the State of Michigan if you become a net exporter of your product to other countries.”

For those who may be thinking this is only a free trip – think again. Automation Alley has been putting on these trade missions for years.

Advertisement

“We have the relationships, we know who they should be meeting with, and people are people all over the world,” Kelly said.

Those relationships usually lead to lasting relationships, he added.

Automation Alley is an non-profit funded through donor businesses who know the value of Michigan manufacturing.

Advertisement

While the trade missions are important, it’s not all the only thing that happens here.

“Trade missions are only twice a year,” Kelly said. “We have programming all year long that helps you understand Artificial Intelligence,  help you make a choice  on what robot should I buy. What kind of systems do I need to consider, what are my peers doing in manufacturing that I can emulate and be successful like them.

Advertisement

“All of these things are available free of charge to all 12,000 manufactures in the State of Michigan.”

If you’d like to find out how to sign up your business to take advantage of the trade missions or other programs, just visit automationalley.com

The Source: Information for this report is from an interview with Tom Kelly, the CEO of Automation Alley.

Advertisement

Small BusinessTroyMichigan



Source link

Michigan

“Rosie the Riveter” statue unveiled at Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial

Published

on

“Rosie the Riveter” statue unveiled at Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial



Frances Mauro Masters watched as a Rosie the Riveter statue was unveiled on Tuesday in Royal Oak, Michigan. The 103-year-old was the inspiration for the newest addition at the Michigan WW2 Legacy Memorial.

The city of Royal Oak shared a video of the unveiling, with Masters standing beside it. According to the city, Masters worked at the Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti during World War II.

The statue was created by sculptor Oleg Kedria, who also created a statue that was installed at the memorial in 2023. That statue depicted a soldier reading a letter.

Advertisement

John Marten, board president of the WW2 Legacy Memorial, said the Rosie the Riveter statue is part of an expansion of the memorial that included an expanded Walk of Honor, which includes bricks with the names of people who had a role in World War II.

“Rosie represents the significant contribution of home front women to the Arsenal of Democracy, who kept production lines rolling. We are especially honored that 103-year-old Frances Mauro Masters, a riveter from the Ford Willow Run WWII bomber plant in Ypsilanti, is the inspiration for the face of the statue,” Maten in September.



Source link

Continue Reading

Michigan

Michigan forecast makes a wild swing from snow to 60 degrees by the weekend

Published

on

Michigan forecast makes a wild swing from snow to 60 degrees by the weekend


After our weekend snow event, any flurries still lingering early today were expected to taper off by this evening.

But then our warming trend arrives. We’ll see our temperatures gradually creeping up as we head from Wednesday toward the weekend. By Saturday, some areas in West Michigan and southern Michigan could hit 60 degrees.

Here are the forecast highlights from the National Weather Service offices across the state:

Light rain and snow showers are moving across Michigan today with minimal impact expected. Temperatures will remain in the 30s to low 40s with breezy conditions making it feel colder.

Advertisement

In Northern Michigan, precipitation will begin as a mix of rain and snow this morning, with higher terrain areas seeing more snow while coastal and lower elevations experience primarily rain. Winds will be breezy, gusting 25 to 30 mph, especially near Lake Michigan, creating wind chills in the 20s. The Upper Peninsula will see light rain or snow showers by afternoon, mainly east of Munising.

For central and southern Michigan, lake effect snow is rapidly diminishing this morning. Grand Rapids and surrounding areas will see only a chance of light snow today, mainly north of M-46, with precipitation ending this evening. Southeast Michigan has a slight chance of light snow or rain with temperatures climbing into the mid-30s.

Weather officials warn that melting snow during daytime hours will refreeze overnight, potentially creating icy or black ice conditions on roadways for Wednesday and Thursday morning commutes, especially in the Upper Peninsula. Northwest winds near 40 mph are possible near Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw Peninsula on Wednesday.

A gradual warming trend begins Wednesday with temperatures moderating into the 40s across most of the state. By Friday, high temperatures will reach the upper 40s to low 50s as high pressure takes hold with lighter winds and quieter weather.

The weekend looks significantly warmer with temperatures climbing into the 50s and potentially reaching the low 60s in southern Michigan by Sunday. Another round of precipitation is expected Saturday into Sunday, though there remains uncertainty about the exact timing and track of this system.

Advertisement

Marine interests should note that a Gale Warning is in effect for much of Lake Superior through Wednesday, with potential for winds of 34-40 knots. Small Craft Advisories are posted for portions of Lakes Michigan and Huron through Wednesday evening.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.



Source link

Continue Reading

Michigan

Michigan residents wake up to first real snow of the season; more possible

Published

on

Michigan residents wake up to first real snow of the season; more possible


Many Michigan residents woke up to their first hint of winter Sunday.

Dropping temperatures led to the first snowfall in many areas of the state, with most residents seeing an inch or 2 of fresh powder.

Detroit Metro Airport recorded 1.2″ of snow in a 12-hour period, according to the National Weather Service in Detroit. Adrian showed a 24-hour total of 2″ from Saturday into Sunday. Freeland received the most snow in the southern half of the state, racking up 6″ in 19 hours.

Winter weather advisories remained in effect in the state Sunday night.

Advertisement

The counties of Bay, Saginaw and Tuscola had an advisory in effect, warning of lake-effect snow. Snow accumulations between 1-3″ were possible, with some areas possibly seeing higher amounts.

St. Clair and Macomb Counties, including the cities of Port Huron and Warren, had a winter weather advisory in effect through 4 a.m. Monday. Total snow accumulations between 2-4″ were possible.

“Lake effect snowfall will continue across the area this afternoon and evening, with the heaviest snow focused across the Tri-Cities region and the eastern Thumb into northern Metro Detroit,” the National Weather Service website said.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending