Michigan
UP small businesses represent Michigan at virtual South by Southwest Conference in Texas
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Businesses from throughout the Great Lakes State, including the U.P., are attending the 38th edition of the annual South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television and music.
The conference encourages the businesses to band together with state government leaders this week to help promote the Mitten State as a place to consider calling home, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC).
The MEDC said it and the state’s population growth effort Let’s Grow Michigan will join Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D) and the state’s first-ever Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe to partner with 53 businesses and organizations to introduce the best digital gift “swag bag” in state history at the famed cultural festival that runs through March 16.
The MEDC said exclusive deals and discounts will be offered to visitors attending Michigan-hosted events at SXSW and are designed to inspire the hundreds of thousands of conference attendees expected to arrive in Austin to consider Michigan as their next destination to explore, experience and envision as their new place to launch a career, start a business and call home.
Michigan has presented gift bags to attendees at previous SXSW conferences, but the number of businesses participating in this year’s offering surpasses any prior distribution, MEDC officials said.
“Michigan is the birthplace of countless innovations that have changed the way we all live and move through the world,” Doe said. “We’re showcasing some of those makers and creations at SXSW, while highlighting the incredible places and opportunities our state offers to live, work and build a life. No matter what you’re into, there’s something for everyone in Michigan. Michigan’s presence at SXSW helps us to speak directly to the talent that we know can thrive in the Great Lakes State, whether they’re building their own company or supporting the vast number of Michigan’s existing tech leaders of all sizes and across industries. Our message is: Let’s grow!”
The MEDC added the annual SXSW Conference offers attendees a view of the future, celebrating innovation and technology and providing a forum for creative thinkers to discuss what’s next and connect to resources and community to build the future.
While SXSW is known for high-profile premieres and live performances, it has also become an early career hot spot for professional development, according to the MEDC. From tech startup competitions and future-focused exhibitors to global emerging talent and buzzworthy speakers, SXSW fosters creative and professional growth across a multitude of industries.
The MEDC added the festival’s demographic data show 62% of attendees are between the ages of 26 and 45, with 67% having a household income of at least $100,000. Among the main industries for total attendance in 2023 were marketing and advertising, creative industries and computer technology. Events like SXSW are opportunities to raise awareness of Michigan’s unique places, creativity and innovation among diverse talent sectors Michigan communities and employers are eager to recruit.
Doe is a featured panelist at SXSW’s influential Midwest House, an experiential embassy of the nation’s Midwest region to SXSW and a year-round catalyst for regions, innovators and creatives, the MEDC said. Gilchrist is featured on a panel during Tuesday’s 2024 SXSW Conference programming. Another SXSW panel will include Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson discussing “The Future of Air Travel: Innovation From the Ground Up.”
MEDC officials said they will join state leaders hosting sessions on a wide array of topics ranging from innovation, technology and economic opportunities to Michigan’s strong union heritage and the state’s role in building America’s premier Black tech ecosystem. Several Michigan-based outdoor recreation companies, such as Carhartt and Wolverine Worldwide will also be highlighted.
In addition, the MEDC said it is hosting a panel featuring Juan Atkins, regarded as the founding father of techno who made Detroit the birthplace of that music genre, and West Michigan tech founder and CEO, beverage entrepreneur and popular local DJ Andrea “Dre” Wallace, who will discuss the intersection of “Techno and Tech” followed by a happy hour showcasing Detroit-style pizza and Michigan beer.
Organizations from the U.P. include:
- Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill (Ironwood): Copper Peak will soon be the world’s largest ski jumping hill!
- Kall Morris Incorporated, dba KMI (Marquette): We are an orbital debris research and solution development company focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) to keep space clear for all.
- Rigoni’s Bakery Yooper Pasties (Ironwood): Old-world baked goods and home of Upper Michigan’s No. 1 pasty.
- Stormy Kromer (Ironwood): Iconic wool caps, plus jackets, vests, shirts and more!
- Swimsmarttech (Marquette): Enhancing beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies with the greater goal of ending drownings in our communities.
- Syncurrent (Marquette): We work with underserved communities to turn entrepreneurship into an economic engine.
All businesses and organizations from Michigan:
- Alfie Logo Gear (Traverse City): We’ll get you geared up. Spiffy logo gear, branded merch and creative solutions for companies, teams, events and more!
- Angling A.i. (Jackson): Revolving around the “do-it yourselfers” in the fishing industry, our products allow anglers to make high-quality baits at reduced prices.
- Athlytic AI Fitness Coach (Detroit): Apple Watch or iPhone app that gives you personalized insights into and coaching about your health and daily training.
- Audio Radar (Holland): Deaf and hard-of-hearing players can “see the sound” during game play with innovative Adaptive Surround Vision Technology.
- Badr Photography (Dearborn): Specializing in advertising food photography.
- Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo): The home of Oberon beer, and other unique and inspired craft beer.
- BetterPlay Studios (Ann Arbor): World-class gaming experiences to positively impact your mental health.
- BrandXR (Detroit): Bring your brand to life with Augmented Reality (AR)!
- Breadless (Detroit): Low-carb and 100% gluten-free dishes that are absolutely tasty!
- Bridge Street Exchange (Fenton): Lifestyle-based clothing and gift store with an emphasis on quality.
- Cafe Rica LLC (Battle Creek): The Cereal City’s top coffee spot for cold brews and brunch service.
- Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill (Ironwood): Copper Peak will soon be the world’s largest ski jumping hill!
- Corteva Agriscience (Midland): The world’s largest pureplay agricultural company — we offer farmers a comprehensive and diverse portfolio, from crop protection to seeds.
- Discover Kalamazoo: In Kalamazoo County, you’ll experience big-city excitement, with a twist of easygoing comfort.
- Experience Grand Rapids: Culture Pass GR is your three-day admission ticket to explore Grand Rapids.
- Farmish (Grand Rapids): A marketplace app that connects local farms with consumers and wholesale buyers.
- FPX Consulting (Dearborn): Business solutions for small businesses and organizations.
- Giggso (Bloomfield Hills): A no-code Model Ops observability platform for data science, engineering teams and business execs.
- Gilmore Car Museum (Hickory Corners): North America’s largest car museum.
- Great Lakes Crystal (East Lansing): A cost-effective source of large-area, high-quality, single-crystal diamond materials for advanced electronics and quantum technology applications.
- Holo Footwear Inc. (Grand Rapids): Created with a want to shake up the footwear industry — we create sustainable and attainable shoes made with recycled materials.
- IMAGIO Glass Design (Sterling Heights): A healthy alternative to tile and grout!
- Kall Morris Incorporated, dba KMI (Marquette): We are an orbital debris research and solution development company focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) to keep space clear for all.
- Krav’n Cookies (Saginaw): Sweet shop with over 50 cupcake flavors and more than 100 menu items, including Krav’n Cookies.
- The Lip Bar (Detroit): We’re maximum impact, minimal effort beauty must-haves designed for your complexion. Founded and owned by Women of Color.
- Lite Raise (Mount Clemens): Empowering students and organizations to increase their fundraising potential.
- Live Oak Coffeehouse (Midland): We’re a local gem, offering specialty brews and a warm ambiance for gathering and conversation.
- LoanSense (Ypsilanti): We reduce student loan payments and debt-to-income to help borrowers.
- Lodge Sound (Brighton): The future of outdoor audio! The first self-charging, weatherproof, premium wireless speaker for the outdoors.
- MaxPro (Rochester): Fit a weight room’s worth of equipment into any size space. MaxPro gives you the flexibility of a complete full-body workout, no dedicated space required.
- MoGo (Detroit): Sustainable, on-demand transportation.
- Own It (Holland): Leveraging biometrics to improve wellness, performance and quality of life.
- Paxahau Presents (Detroit): Dance music events promoter and producer of the Motor City’s iconic Movement Music Festival.
- Pearl Edison (Detroit): Streamlining energy efficiency retrofits, making electrification easy and affordable.
- Politics on the Go (POGO, Detroit): A civic tech company simplifying civic engagement for Gen Z and millennials through a gamified, nonpartisan app to revolutionize election research.
- Port City Emporium (Manistee): We carry art and artisan wares from over 40 artists, most from Michigan.
- Reaction Technologies (Ann Arbor): Building athletes’ spatial awareness and proper form using a heads-up display.
- Rebel Nell (Detroit): Sustainable jewelry brand supporting women transitioning out of shelter living.
- Revolin Sports (Holland): Sustainable pickleball paddles designed for obsessed players.
- Rigoni’s Bakery Yooper Pasties (Ironwood): Old-world baked goods and home of Upper Michigan’s No. 1 pasty.
- Robal Tech LLC (Detroit): Reduce HR workload! Put talent and workforce management into one single sign-on. Try us free for 30 days.
- Short’s Brewing (Bellaire): Michigan’s largest independent craft brewer (plus award-winning Starcut Ciders).
- SISU Custom Fit Mouthguards, an Akervall Technologies Company (Saline): Specializing in advanced oral protection.
- Sniffer Robotics Inc. (Ann Arbor): Sniffer Robotics is a leading environmental technology-enabled services firm providing methane emissions monitoring services for ground applications.
- Soldadera Coffee (Grand Rapids): Authentic Mexican coffee experiences through premium products.
- SOVA Night Guard, an Akervall Technologies Company (Saline): Advanced dental protection for nighttime use.
- Southwest Michigan First (Kalamazoo): With vibrant, artistic communities, family-friendly entertainment options and over 80 public access lakes, you can thrive in Southwest Michigan!
- Stormy Kromer (Ironwood): Iconic wool caps, plus jackets, vests, shirts and more!
- Swaddelini (Holland): A seamless 3D knit sleep sack made with zero closure systems.
- Swimsmarttech (Marquette): Enhancing beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies with the greater goal of ending drownings in our communities.
- Syncurrent (Marquette): We work with underserved communities to turn entrepreneurship into an economic engine.
- TripSlip (Detroit): Digital permission slips making field trips equitable and easy to manage.
- Visit Detroit: Mobile-exclusive passes offer savings at some of the best craft breweries and pizzerias in metro Detroit.
Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.
Sterling Stamping Plant is the largest in the world
Ed Daniels, vice president of North America injection and stamping operations, discusses the process of producing metal parts for Stellantis models.
Warren — Hulking metal presses line one wall of Stellantis NV’s cavernous stamping plant here, punching out the raw shapes of Jeep doors, Dodge hoods and Ram tailgates in rapid succession.
Nearby, swinging yellow robots continue the tightly choreographed work, gluing and pressing and welding smaller components to the sheet metal that eventually will start to resemble the shape of a truck or SUV.
Seven miles north, in Sterling Heights, Stellantis operates an even larger stamping plant — the biggest in the world, at 2.7 million square feet — that does much of the same work, churning out various shapes of steel and aluminum 24 hours a day.
Together, these lesser-known links in the manufacturing supply chain support all of Stellantis’ big North American assembly plants — from next-door Warren Truck Assembly Plant, where the Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV is built, to facilities in Windsor and Mexico that make minivans and pickups.
Inside Stellantis’ Huge Detroit Stamping Plants
The Detroit News recently got a rare look inside the automaker’s Sterling and Warren stamping plants, which are key to the company’s turnaround plan.
The Metro Detroit stamping plants, the automaker’s only two such facilities in the United States, have at times struggled in recent years, facing major job cuts and worker morale issues amid slowing sales and shifting production plans. But under Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, the facilities are expected to cram in more workload — and add staff — as Stellantis begins a new five-year strategic turnaround plan, which includes a heavy focus on its most profitable North American market.
The carmaker’s goal: grow sales by more than a third to 1.9 million annually by 2030 as it launches 23 vehicles, including 11 all-new models. The company also is directing billions of dollars of investment into its U.S. manufacturing footprint due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“Stamping has never really been viewed as the sexy side of automotive manufacturing, we’re relatively invisible,” said Ed Daniels Jr., vice president of North America injection and stamping operations. “Because when you look at the commercials and advertisements, it’s always a beautiful Ram rolling off the assembly line or climbing the side of a mountain.
“But we’re the inception of that vehicle,” he said. “This is where raw materials are turned into commodities and parts.”
The Detroit News recently got a rare look inside the two plants that combined employ about 3,000 people. The automaker wanted to show off a newly-installed blanking press at Warren Stamping and other machinery like a high-speed transfer press and a robot that spots flaws in the metal.
Hiring expected
The blanking press unspools long coils of metal and chops them up into pieces that can then be shaped into roofs, fenders and floor pans. Stellantis shipped the massive machine to Warren from its idled Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois last year.
After upgrades to the machine, executives said it’s able to produce as many as 120,000 metal blanks per week. It will save Stellantis money since the plant will no longer need to pay a supplier to break down the coils before the metal arrives there.
The blanker addition is a big deal for the plant and signals that the company wants to bring more work in-house and invest in the facility over the coming years, said Romaine McKinney III, president of United Auto Workers Local 869, which represents workers at the factory.
The plant has already brought back all of its laid-off UAW workers, and McKinney said he anticipates more hiring to get underway if sales grow and new Stellantis vehicles come to market.
In another corner of the Warren facility, one of the fastest press lines in the world — known internally as the Hellcat — pushes as many as 15 pieces of metal through per minute. Dies that weigh up to 50 tons apiece squish the material into the shapes of doors and hoods before robotic arms snatch them out and place them on conveyor belts. Midway through a shift, workers can reconfigure the machine to make a different component, a process that takes just five minutes.
Robots check for quality
Curtis Booth, who manages Warren Stamping, said manual processes inside the plant have become increasingly automated, and safer, over the last couple decades, even as the automaker’s two stamping factories still utilize some presses that were installed in the 1960s.
The latest high-tech addition is the Automated Body Inspection System, or ABIS. It’s a camera system mounted on a robot that automatically checks the quality of components and flags anything in need of repair.
Auto plants of all kinds are increasingly turning to these types of camera systems, infused with artificial intelligence, to catch flaws in sheet metal and other components before they are shipped. Booth said worker visual inspections are still used. But in some cases the human eye has too much subjectivity, and the ABIS removes the guesswork.
Greg Bauer, who manages Sterling Stamping, said his plant has added staff over the past year, and expects to continue hiring as more work is assigned to the facility. There is no space at the plant to add more presses, but officials have figured out how to increase efficiency — quickly toggling back and forth between making doors for a Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger on on a single machine, for example.
“We want to bring high-volume parts into the plant, and we want to maximize the capacity of the equipment,” Daniels said.
lramseth@detroitnews.com
MENOMINEE, Mich. (WLUK) — 24-year-old Ethan Raymond Masters of Menominee was arrested on sexual assault charges June 30th, according to the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies learned of an incident involving a 24-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl which happened in Menominee June 22nd. Following a sexual assault investigation, police charged Masters.
Masters was arraigned July 2nd on 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree. He remains in the Menominee County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
Menominee City Police and the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory of Marquette assisted with the investigation.
Michigan
Michigan immigration advocates react after Supreme Court ruling on Temporary Protected Status
Twenty-four thousand immigrants in Michigan have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), but a recent Supreme Court decision could put their protection in jeopardy.
TPS is a humanitarian protection granted to U.S. immigrants fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries, often from natural disasters or political instability. The status allows immigrants from the designated countries to live and work in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned those for 356,000 Haitians and Syrians in a recent decision. While the court’s decision directly impacted Haitian and Syrian immigrants, it also established that the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to determine TPS status without judicial review or input from the courts.
That means that the Secretary of Homeland Security can eliminate TPS for any immigrant group that is currently in the U.S. under protection. That puts 1.3 million immigrants in the U.S. at risk of deportation. In Florida, 113,000 healthcare workers with TPS are at risk of deportation. The Haitian population in Philadelphia is also expressing concerns about what comes next for them.
“The Supreme Court turned its back on our moral and legal commitments to people seeking safety,” said Christine Sauvé, manager of Policy and Communication at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. “The decision eliminates legal protections for people fleeing danger and allows the Trump Administration to really advance its mass deportation agenda.”
Left without the ability to live or work in the U.S., these Haitian and Syrian immigrants with TPS now face deportation. But going back home could still be incredibly dangerous.
“It’s not really an option to go back to their home country,” said Melanie Goldberg, immigration attorney with the Institute of Metro Detroit. “In the case of Haiti, they don’t even have an airport in Port-au-Prince that’s operational. Yet they say it’s safe for these citizens to go back.”
In Michigan, immigrants with TPS have contributed $349 million to the state’s economy, a sign that they are deeply embedded in the community, according to Sauvé.
“Many TPS holders have been in our communities for a very long time,” Sauvé said. “They’ve really spent decades building their lives here in Michigan. We welcomed them here, only to see that completely ripped away with the stroke of a pen.”
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center encourages Haitian and Syrian immigrants with TPS, as well as any immigrants in the U.S. with a TPS designation, to seek out a qualified legal service provider and review the “Know Your Rights” Materials on the MIRC’s website
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