Rapid Growth

You Want a Job With That?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you ask Josh Cearlock and others, job multi-tasking is becoming more common in West Michigan, with some people holding down five or more. Is it just the economy, or is there a new, "creative class" emerging?

Learning to be Social

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

2009 may have been the tipping point for the widepread use of social media to reach audiences of all ages: everyone from listeners of Todd Chance's radio show to those who wanted to know the latest about ArtPrize. Looks like West Michigan is getting wired.

Time Off for Turkey Day

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To save you a trip to your computer on Thanksgiving Day, Rapid Growth won't be publishing on November 26 in observance of the holiday that celebrates all that we should appreciate in metro Grand Rapids -- a thriving urban setting with easy access to natural beauty. So kick back, loosen that belt a notch after the feast, and try to be thankful for what we have -- even if you are watching the 70th Thanksgiving Day "Classic" game between the Detroit Lions and long-time rival Green Bay. Rapid Growth will resume publication December 3.

G-Sync - Local Economic Secret Revealed

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though he's the first to concede math has always been a mystery to him, G-Sync's Tommy Allen stumbles onto a new study being promoted by Local First that really does add up.

Filling the Sports Grill Void

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

High school buddies Joe DiLeonardo and Kurt Suidinski spent months searching for the right location for their newly opened Peppino's Grill & Pizzeria in downtown Grand Rapids, finally falling "in love" with the century-old former Grand Rapids Taxi Cab Co. building. Take a tour of the city's latest sports lounge with Rapid Growth's Josh Tyron.

Curing the Doctor Shortage

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Experts say there may be a shortage of doctors to serve metro Grand Rapids, but an organization that recruits resident physicians says West Michigan has some good drawing cards to correct the imbalance. Here's why a small army of freshly minted doctors will be visiting the area soon.

G-Sync - The Present Is A Gift

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It is easy to become intimidated by the names that tower above. In fact, Tommy is pretty sure that sometimes it can make your contribution seem small. Hereâs a hint: âItâs not small.â

Caching In

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:32:17 GMT

Ryan Nelson sees a city with hidden loot lurking everywhere, and thanks to modern technology he can find it. Follow Nelson and other intrepid adventurers as they seek out buried treasure -- usually right under someone else's nose.

From Bake Sales to Art Markets

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Teri O'Driscoll did a little multitasking when she suggested that her school's Parent Teacher Student Association sponsor a market where artists using recycled materials could sell their wares. The result: raise money for City High, teach kids to be mindful of the environment and support local artists.

Becoming Little Chicago

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When Tom Almonte takes in a view of Grand Rapids from his office in city hall, he says he sees the same vitality of Chicago, albeit in a much smaller scale. And Almonte says others outside of West Michigan are making that same assessment.

Catching Your Breath Because Here We Go (Again)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You'd think that there would be a lull in activity in the first weeks of November, but G-Syncâs Tommy Allen says it's really the calm before the storm. Find out why.

A View of 38 Commerce

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Put on your hardhat, and take a tour of 38 Commerce with Chuck Hoyt of Locus Development and Rapid Growth videographer Josh Tyron. The mixed-use building under construction in downtown Grand Rapids will feature offices, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and apartments and condos, with parking for residents right to their doorsteps.

Beating Up on Blubber

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Even shadow boxing can be an exahusting workout under the watchful eye of Frank Perez, the owner of Frank's Knockout Fitness in the Stockbridge business district. See how the "sweet science" helps people get into shape.

Read All About It: Print is Alive and Kicking

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A guy in the print media who is smiling? It's Brian Edwards, and he's celebrating the launch of his new hardcopy magazine in mid Michigan. Read why Edwards thinks niche publishing is the port in the print media storm.

G-Sync - That (formerly) Human Touch

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I would kick Santa to the curb and say that the true community-building holiday celebration that trumps them all is Halloween â a time where our creativity can really shine without the aid of electricity, red velvet and popcorn garland.

Pioneer is Midwest's first to earn ABC's green-contractor certification for sustainability efforts

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pioneer Construction President Tim Schowalter says that the same actions the company took to practice sustainability were the practices ABC wants to honor with certification. He believes the designation gives credibility to Pioneer's efforts to be a leader in sustainability and will help it grow in the future.

GVSU study says wind power development growing in West Michigan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Allegan County is considered one of four regions in Michigan presenting the highest potential for wind-generated electricity, according to the first of four reports to be released by Grand Valley State University's Wind Energy Assessment Study.

Klingman's now offers coupons through Yowza smart phone application

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Klingman's Furniture has turned to a novel way to market its coupons by becoming the first Grand Rapids-based company to turn to the iPhone application Yowza, a coupon-generating site created by the star of NBC's "Heroes," Greg Grunberg.

Peninsular Club to reopen Dec. 10 in downtown Grand Rapids in new location

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The oldest social club in Grand Rapids, the Peninsular Club, will reopen Dec. 10 in space the Louis Benton Steak House once used for its bar at 77 Monroe Center NW. The 128-year-old organization had been at the intersection of Ottawa Avenue and Fountain Street NW for 90 years until it was forced to sell its building and close last year due to dwindling membership and financial difficulties.

Allegiant Air offers new nonstop service from Grand Rapids to Ft. Lauderdale

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ford International Airport's newest airline recently launched a service from Grand Rapids to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, bringing its low-cost flight offerings up to five locations.

Kalamazoo architecture firm expands to offices in Grand Rapids' Ledyard building

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Acting on a hunch that the West Michigan economy will come back stronger than the rest of the state, executives of a Kalamazoo architecture firm decided to expand to Grand Rapids now to get a foothold.

Wyoming's first off-leash dog park includes niceties for pooches and owners

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After months of grassroots effort, Wyoming's first off-leash dog park opened last weekend

Grand Rapids coworking spaces fill gap in office market

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Changes in the way people work have opened up a new world of possibilities in the Grand Rapids office market, and several forward-thinking landlords have seized the opportunity to create collaborative coworking spaces.

Michigan manufacturers eye clean energy industry, prepare to diversify into wind and solar

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Michigan manufacturers are moving ahead with plans to step into the alternative energy industry in a big way â something that could retain existing jobs and create thousands more.

GVSU adds advanced nursing degree six years ahead of Colleges of Nursing's national goal

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the nursing profession requires more education, masters programs are going by the wayside to be replaced by the doctor of nursing practice â an advanced degree Grand Valley State University added this year, six years ahead of a nationwide goal.

Holland's plans for new $300K skate park includes land swap with Hope College

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Holland skateboard enthusiasts might soon have a new skate park to replace an outdated one at Lincoln Park. Hope College will contribute $250,000 toward construction of the skate park in a different area of the city in exchange for the Lincoln Park land.

Muskegon Lake shoreline restoration aimed at county's strongest economic development asset

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A $10 million restoration of Muskegon Lake's shoreline could spur the investment of some $30 million in economic development and create more than 100 jobs.

Rockford Sportsman's Club plans $1M Olympic, collegiate youth archery facility

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A proposed massive expansion to the Rockford Sportsman's Club could bring collegiate- and Olympic-level archery facilities to West Michigan.

Renewable energy generates new business for lakeshore electrical company

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One lakeshore electrical company has diversified its business by installing wind turbines and other renewable energy devices, helping it to survive in a rocky economy

College consortium to bring Spain-based alternate energy training to West Michigan

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Spain-based curriculum for training workers on totally new alternative energy technologies could be on its way to West Michigan â perhaps the first region in the U.S. to employ the training

Lambert Edwards expands in Grand Rapids, aims to add five jobs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the reasons Jeff Lambert says his company is ready to renovate the 10,000-square-foot building at 47 Commerce and relocate there is because Lambert, Edwards & Associates is poised for growth â again.

That growth includes the projected addition of two new public relations and investor relations positions in the next six months, and another two by the end of 2011. The company filled a fifth position last month, that of head of financial communications.

"We are interested in both seasoned veterans and young professionals with experience in corporate communications or agency public relations, investor relations or financial communications," says Lambert, president. "Our current needs are for people who have a track record of driving business results, are strategic thinkers, have great instincts and uncompromising integrity. We also need people with a beyond-West-Michigan perspective to serve our national and global clients."

Lambert says LE&A is the largest public relations firm in West Michigan, with dozens of West Michigan clients and 100 others in 20 states and five countries. He adds that with offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit, LE&A is Michigan's only statewide PR firm.

"Our tag line is 'The PR firm that can read an income statement' and that really sums up our difference as an agency â we focus on bottom line results and the business impact of public relations and corporate communications," Lambert says. "We posted revenue of $4.3 million in 2008 and are on track to report revenue of over $6 million in 2009 as a result of both organic growth and the acquisition of Detroit-based John Bailey & Associates."

Source: Jeff Lambert, Lambert, Edwards & Associates

Related Articles
PR firm Lambert Edwards hosted ArtPrize at 47 Commerce, now plans to relocate there
Grand Rapids investor relations firm expands to California, adds five West Michigan jobs

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Owners of start-up Holland company aim to revolutionize the North American truck industry

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two Holland entrepreneurs are aiming to revolutionize the North American truck industry by introducing drivers to an innovative Austrian-designed truck trailer with side panels that lift up with a push of a button.

Bob Hakken, 52, and Duke De Leeuw, 47, signed a deal this month with Wingliner International to become the sole distributors of Wingliner System kits for sale in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The start-up venture, Wingliner North America Inc., would produce and sell the kits used to transform new truck chassis into a Wingliner truck, bringing jobs to West Michigan and helping truck owners greatly reduce transportation operating costs.

The partners hope to begin contracting out the manufacture of component parts and the assembly work to local Holland-Zeeland companies in early 2010. Visits to Plascore, Inc. in Zeeland, Genzink Steel of Holland and BuhlerPrince Inc. of Holland have taken place but no deals have been signed, Hakken says. He estimates the work could result in creating five to 10 new local jobs next year.

"We just really believe in this product and see a bright future," says Hakken. "This could really snowball into something really big because it's cost effective. We're very excited."

Unlike traditional truck trailers seen on North American roads, the side walls of a Wingliner can be moved into any position. They can be brought to rest flat on the truck roof in 10 seconds using an hydraulic circuit started by a push of a button. Loaded goods can more readily be accessed in the shortest possible time from the trailer's sides and back. The company says there can be an enormous reduction of time and operating costs with every loading and unloading process compared with conventional trucks.

Wingliner North America plans to produce a variety of Wingliner kits containing the components needed to transform the chassis of any type of new commercial vehicle -- truck, trailer, semi-truck, swap trailer, container or dump truck -- into a Wingliner.

Only a handful of Wingliner trucks exist in America. One has been used since 2004 by another Holland company owned by Hakken and De Leeux: Wagner Wood Products. The demo Wingliner vehicle was discovered while the pair was searching for a better delivery system for their newly purchased distributorship of small hardwood and plywood goods at 80 W. Lakewood Blvd. Hakken says company drivers immediately recognized a "tremendous impact" on time-saving efficiencies while making loading and unloading products. "It's all about efficiencies," he says.

"In the trucking industry, pent-up demand is growing," Hakken says. "So many fleet owners have been sitting on the sidelines due the economy. But as that turns, they'll be faced with replacing equipment on the road. They'll be looking for ways to become more efficient."

Wingliner International was started in 1996 in Salzburg, Austria after Johann Strasser Sr. invented the Wingliner System. Since then, thousands of Wingliner kits have been sold all over the world, including China, Europe, Japan, South America and Australia.

Source: Bob Hakken, Wingliner North America, Holland; Wingliner International website

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Gentex Corp. is looking to hire nearly 40 engineers; may also hire more production workers

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Automotive supplier Gentex Corp. is trying to make its recruitment process more convenient and confidential in its latest efforts to recruit between 30 to 40 engineers for its Zeeland plant.

Bruce Los, Gentex vice president of human resources, says engineering applicants are encouraged to apply online at the company's website by Monday, Nov. 23 to be considered for an interview. After recruiters conduct an initial screening of the applicant's credentials, qualified candidates will be contacted for private interviews on Thursday, Dec. 3 in Grand Rapids.

The company is looking to fill electrical, software, computer, and technical engineering project positions due to rising sales. Applicants must also hold a bachelor's degree in engineering.

"At job fairs, we'd get 600 people lined up, but people happily employed don't want others to know they are poking around a bit," Los says. Rather than risk tipping their hand to co-workers or employers, the candidate might avoid the job fair altogether, he adds. Others may not be able to break away from their job for a day to attend a fair or have the time to drive to the company's Zeeland headquarters for an interview.

"This is a way to test drive (contact with Gentex) and get to know us a bit," Los says. "We have not exactly recruited this way. It's based on feedback we've gotten back from candidates that, again, in this economic environment, it's risky if you do have a job to be out looking around."

After shedding nearly 500 jobs over the past year and a half, the manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products has begun hiring production workers as well. Since July, Gentex has called back from between 100 to 150 workers who were laid off last December, Los says.

"Sales are going very strong right now," Los says, noting sales of the company's smart beam optimization system and rear camera display mirror are among the leaders. "But with the coming holidays, we're cautious about not bringing on too many people. We'll wait and see how orders progress after the year."

The additional hires would join a Zeeland workforce of 2,300.

In its financial results released for the third quarter ending Sept. 30, Gentex reported a 33 percent increase in net sales on a sequential, quarter-to-quarter basis, from $117.3 million in the second quarter of 2009 to $155.7 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Source: Bruce Los, Gentex Corp. vice president of human resources, Zeeland;
Gentex website.

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia

New venture with Chinese manufacturer brings nearly 200 high-paying jobs to GE Aviation in Cascade

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nearly 200 new engineering technology workers will be hired at the GE Aviation facility in Cascade Township, thanks to a new joint venture announced between General Electric Co. and a Chinese aerospace manufacturer, AVIC System.

The new yet-unnamed avionics company will be launched by mid-2010 in either Beijing or Shanghai, China, but some design and engineering work is planned for workers at the GE Aviation offices at 3290 Patterson Ave. SE, says Jennifer Villareal, spokeswoman for GE Aviation.

GE officials says the new venture will offer fully integrated, open architecture avionics and services for future commercial aircraft programs. GE will build on its extensive avionics capabilities and its China Technology Center in Shanghai to create a technology center of excellence to serve the commercial aviation market. AVIC will build on more than 20 years of experience providing integrated avionics systems for various types of aircraft.

Hiring locally for these highly paid office jobs is expected to begin immediately and continue through 2010, Villareal says. GE Aviation, formerly known as Smith Aerospace, employs 1,300 locally. To learn more about applying for these opportunities, click here. (www.geaviation.com/joinus/)

"It's a good thing," Villareal says of the expansion into commercial avionics. "It's adding on to our capabilities and is complimentary to our business."

GE Aviation is part of a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati that is known as a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft.

Source: Jennifer Villareal, GE Aviation
Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.

Two West Michigan manufacturers create 50 new jobs, retain 350 with $21.2M investment

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two West Michigan manufacturers will invest some $21.2 million in capital improvements to retain 350 jobs and create an additional 50 positions. The news came this week after the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board approved tax credits for Consolidated Resource Imaging, LLC (CRI) and Steelcase, Inc.

CRI plans to invest some $3 million to relocate its 11 employees from Allendale to an undisclosed location in Walker. Most of the investment will be in computers, technical and research equipment for the aerospace systems manufacturer.

CRI will create 50 new jobs with an average weekly wage of $1,099, including healthcare benefits.

Between MEGA's High-Tech Tax Credit program and 12-year tax abatement from the city of Walker, CRI's tax incentive will be $873,915.

Steelcase received approval for a Retention MEGA of $4.7 million over eight years for keeping jobs tied to significant new investment.

That investment will be the proposed $18.2 million renovation of the company headquarters at 44th and Kalamazoo to equip and expand the facility to handle the relocation of 350 Steelcase employees from the Corporate Development Center in Gaines Twp.

"Steelcase is obviously a pillar of our West Michigan economy and this investment shows their commitment to West Michigan," says George Bosnjak, Right Place Inc.'s business development manager. Right Place, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and others worked with Steelcase and CRI, helping them navigate the tax incentives, choose a new work site and relocate employees efficiently.

"CRI does very technical work that benefits other companies nationally, if not globally," Bosnjak says." It's the kind of high-tech company many people wouldn't expect to find in West Michigan and another example of the kind of technology and expertise that's available here."

To receive the MEGA incentives for creating or retaining jobs, companies must prove they've created or retained a specified number of jobs for each year of the incentive period.

Source: George Bosnjak, Right Place, Inc.

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Paragon D&E takes big leap into future by investing $3.5 million in mammoth milling machine

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Paragon D&E, a Grand Rapids-based mold supplier, continued its drive to provide innovative, leading-edge services to customers by investing $3.5 million in a huge milling machine for large-scale precision molds and machined parts.

The Italian-made equipment, a double gantry 5-axis FIDIA milling machine, is about the size of a car wash that 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, says Dave Muir, president of Paragon D&E. "People can't fathom the size of this unless they see it," he says.

The investment represents a "significant leap forward" for Paragon D&E to meet the needs of industries that demand large, highly precise molds and machined parts, he says. It took nearly a year to prepare the site and install the machine at the company's plant at 5225 33rd St. SE.

Muir says the company did not have a specific job in hand when it ordered the machine, but has since landed several contracts to utilize it, including some from the U.S. Defense Department.

Over the last five years, the company has sought to diversify its customer base that now includes companies in the aerospace, alternative energy, automotive, heavy truck, agriculture and other industries. "We're almost in any industry that you can think of that would need our technology," he says.

The company is seeking NQA-1 qualification so that it will be able to work on materials and components used by the nuclear power industry.

Beside the cost of new equipment, Paragon D&E also has made a significant investment in its employees, leveraging the team approach to all projects. With annuals sales of approximately $30 million, Paragon D&E employs about 140 skilled tool makers, machinists and support staff. Muir estimates between 10 to 20 new employees could be brought on board next year.

Source: David Muir, president of Paragon D&E

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Fledging Logical Lighting Systems moves to Muskegon alternative energy center

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in downtown Muskegon is the new location of a fledgling company focused on reducing energy consumption by expanding the use and application of environmentally friendly Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.

Logical Lighting Systems LLC moved into MAREC this fall, the business incubation space operated by Grand Valley State University at 200 Viridian Drive in the Muskegon SmartZone. Logical Lighting seeks to research, test and bring to market affordable and dependable replacement LED lamps for incandescent and florescent lights.

Though LED lighting costs significantly more than traditional lighting, it greatly reduces electrical demand and eliminates the concern of deadly mercury and carbon dioxide emissions found in conventional lighting, according to Logical Lighting Systems CEO Jason Jespersen.

"LEDs are impervious to shock and cold," says Jespersen. "All components are recyclable and there are no hazardous materials involved. The light itself, if it's running 12 hours a day, will last 11 years or more."

"I have nothing but high hopes for the business," he says. The company and its employees will have access to on-site lab facilities for product testing and evaluation, meeting and office space, as well as GVSU's business consultation and support services. "It's a great atmosphere and wonderful people to work with."

With commercial buildings such as hospitals, shopping malls, public places and office buildings accounting for 51 percent of total energy consumption for lighting in the U.S., there is an enormous opportunity for energy savings, Jespersen says. It's projected that more than 70 percent of all lighting in commercial buildings will be LED-based by 2030.

"My goal is to leverage the assistance of some of the people in the facility to help steer the company in the best direction for West Michigan and to explore the expansion into other states," Jespersen says. He hopes to get a return on investment within two years or less. Logical Systems also specializes in the design and installation of energy monitoring equipment.

MAREC opened in 2003 to serve as a business incubator and research and development center for alternative and renewable energy technologies and to serve as a demonstrator of those technologies.

Source: Jason Jaspersen, Logical Lighting Systems LLC

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com

Digital Services, Inc. spins off new division; hires two new employees

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kentwood-based Digital Services, Inc., a media duplication company founded in 1993, is growing again with the spin off of its third division, a new production company called DVS Creative.

Mike Kren, manager at DVS Creative, says the company was created to meet the growing demand of clients from its long-established sister company, DVS, a media duplication and asset management company. DVS Creative will focus on video production, post production, editing, DVD and CD authoring, and video encoding/compression.

"Around 2000, we were getting clients (at DVS) who were asking us to handle other services, such as video production, so we started with the (production) management and outsourced other work to freelancers," Kren says.

The work wasn't a core specialty at that time of DVS, which excelled instead at video and optical disc duplication. However, with the growing number of clients seeking production work, the logical step was to spin off the work of this growing area to a new sister company and bring its freelance work back in house, he says.

With the spin-off, Kren left his job as DVS production manager to become DVS Manager. Two other DVS employees joined him and two new ones were hired: Jason Ferguson, a project manager from West Edge Media of Grand Rapids, and Terry Rayment, a motion graphics designer and former freelance designer.

"By bringing them on (board), we're able to handle a wider variety of projects," Kren says. "We can offer a higher level of service, especially since Jason brings a lot of field experience with video production and Terry has an eye of an artist who is very, very creative."

The third sister company is Pelco Solutions, a design and development firm of mobile and web-based applications acquired in 2007.

Digital Services, the parent company which started 16 years ago in the basement of its founder, Paul La Vigne, now employs nearly 30 workers, Kren says. All three companies are located at 4592 40th Street S.E.

Source: Mike Kren, DVS Creative

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com

Zeeland company hits pay dirt with organic waste recycling, add four employees

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For more than 15 years, Spurt Industries has been a successful compost processing and wood waste recycling company. The Zeeland-based firm accepts organic materials such as discarded pieces of wood and fallen leaves to generate top quality soils and mulches that are sold to landscapers, garden centers and retail shops.

But 1 ½ years ago, owner Tom Turner began thinking of new ways to hit pay dirt with organic materials. He realized that companies were paying big bucks -- perhaps $80 to $90 a ton -- to haul and dispose of their solid waste in landfills, Turner said. Yet between 75 percent to 85 percent of that waste was valuable organic material.

Turner reasoned that he could haul the organic material away at nearly half the cost if the customers would separate organic waste -- such as food scraps, coffee grounds, paper, grass clippings, and cardboard -- from solid waste. Spurt could process the organic waste by mixing it with yard waste at his Zeeland company, and then resell the end product as nutrient-rich soil.

That "green" idea sprouted into a new Spurt program called SORT -- Specialized Organics Recycling Team -- that has blossomed into a thriving business today. Nearly 50 companies, including Amway, Metro Health Hospital, Steelcase and San Chez Bistro, have recognized the value of separating the organic waste from junk solid waste, he says.

"We're very excited about it," says Turner. "I picked up eight customers in the last 1 ½ months. These companies have a goal to recycle. We provide the training and try to make it as easy as possible. Our goal is to have four times the volume within another year or so."

SORT allowed Turner to expand his workforce this year from seven to 11 employees this year alone. He hopes to add one or two more workers next year. Turner also opened three more locations, one each in Ada, Bryon Center and Wixom.
Not bad for pay dirt.

Source: Tom Turner of Spurt Industries

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

GRCC culinary institute to offer new career options for chef entrepreneurs

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In February, Grand Rapids Community College will offer its inaugural training through the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education for culinary students who want to become personal or private chefs.

Candy Wallace, founder of San Diego-based American Personal and Private Chef Association (APPCA) spoke to GRCC culinary students this week about The Personal and Private Chef Certification Class and the career options available, such as becoming a private chef for one client or becoming a personal chef for several clients.

"Many second-career culinary students want to be a personal or private chef, a food writer, or have other involvement," Wallace says. "I created APPCA about 20 years ago for myself because I never wanted to cook in another restaurant and never wanted another employee, but still wanted to cook for a living, wanted to cook for private clients but not just one client."

GRCC's course provides training in traditional culinary skills as well as in sanitation, nutrition, marketing and writing a business plan. It will offer personal chef certification. Established chefs will have an option to take a two-day course for the certification. GRCC is the only public institution offering this course through the APPCA, Wallace says.

Audrey Heckwolf, a former private chef for the Dick and Betsy DeVos family and owner of Grand Rapids-based Urban Chef, is a culinary instructor at GRCC and will teach the class. Heckwolf says that women chefs often find that the demands of restaurant kitchens â working during dinner hours, evenings, holidays, poor pay â force them to leave the profession once they start raising families.

"I have an 18-month-old and 10-week-old and I still have my own consulting business and coordinate and teach cooking classes," she says. "I can put the cooking on hiatus, but do the consulting and classes as they fit my schedule.

"As a personal chef, you can decide what your personal chef business looks like," she says, "whether it's food styling, food critic, cookbook author or event planning."

Source: Randy Sahajdack and Audrey Heckwolf, Grand Rapids Community College; Candy Wallace, American Personal and Private Chef Association

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

aimWest sponsors talk by Laura Fitton, co-author of "Twitter for Dummies"

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Social media newbies and experts alike will welcome one of Twitter's earliest experts when she speaks at a day-long seminar on social media sponsored by the non-profit local professional organization aimWest Thursday, Nov. 19.

Laura Fitton, co-author of "Twitter for Dummies" and founder of one of the world's first Twitter for Business consultancies, will speak at 12:15 p.m. at the Grand Rapids JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW at aimWest's 2009 Midwest Social Media ConFab seminar.

Fitton, the founder of her Pistachio Consulting will explain why Twitter has become a phenomenon for helping people network, distribute news and launch new businesses all over the world. Twitter has been described as a game-changer by many who fear they'll be left behind in the technology field.

Fitton is one of 15 speakers scheduled for seven sessions that will cover a wide range of social media topics, including tips on how to manage social media in the workplace, use it to grow a business and to boost productivity. The seminar will also offer tips on building a profile, marketing oneself on the Web, and why it's important to build and maintain one's personal brand. In one session, Rapid Growth Publisher Jeff HIll will serve on a panel of experts who will discuss how companies have used social media to grow their businesses.

aimWest is a non-profit professional association that supports and promotes the growth of the interactive and technology industries throughout West Michigan. Established in 2000, its mission is to promote Western Michigan interactive and technology organizations and related activities such as software, Internet, multimedia, telecommunication, electronic commerce, advertising, and more.

The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $125 for members; $195 for non-members. To register, go online to aimWest's website.

Source: aimWest website

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com

Schuler Books & Music is among the first retailers nationally to install new Espresso Book Machine

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Schuler Books and Music became one of the nation's first retailers to jump into the emerging print-on-demand publishing industry when it installed a new Espresso Book Machine last week at one of its Grand Rapids stores.

While customers wait and watch, the $75,000 machine at the Schuler's 2660 28th St. SE store will download, print, bind and trim a paperback with a full-color cover in less than five minutes, according to Bill Fehsenfeld, who owns the area's five Schuler Book stores with his wife, Cecile.

Books eligible for printing are those authorized by the publisher and/or authors and those in the public domain --a status granted when the copyright expires, usually about 75 years after the first printing, he says. The store is only one of six retailers in the United States to own an Espresso Book Machine sold by On Demand Books, LLC in New York City, Fehsenfeld says. Research libraries and distributors have had the machine for several years but those machines have not been available to the public.

"We've had a lot of interest," Fehsenfeld says. "It's such a novel thing and nobody really knows where this will go. Our industry is undergoing a lot of change. But over time, more publishers will make copies of their books available on demand. It's so much more economical."

The cost to produce a print-on-demand paperback depends on the number and size of pages, he says. Publishers charge a nominal fee to access their databases. A writer can become a self-published author by paying a $75 set-up fee and the cost for each page (around 4 cents to 10 cents). It's the self-publishing market that Fehsenfeld expects to be his biggest market.

"From what we've heard from other people, it's going to be from individuals who want their books published, whether it's for family cookbooks, memoirs, novels, poetry or family history," he says. The store began taking orders this week.

Source: Bill Fehsenfeld, Schuler Books & Music

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com

New matchmaker service for marketing professionals

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Marketing professionals in the metro Grand Rapids area have a new way to search for a job through an innovative and free on-line service called GR Marketing Match.

Launched a few weeks ago by Craig Clark, owner of the Grand Rapids public relations firm Clark Communications, the service is aimed at helping job hunters and hiring managers connect with each other.

Unlike other employment sites, GR Marketing Match is aimed solely at local marketing and marketing communications professionals. Resumes of job hunters are e-mailed every other Friday to participating human resources personnel. They in turn are encouraged to forward them to appropriate colleagues who may be interested in hiring that individual.

"Many of these marcom jobs are not widely advertised, so you might not even hear of these opportunities," says Clark, who has had personal experience as a downsized victim. "Employers may not be seeing all of the best candidates. I just want to keep it focused on people helping people."

Clark is hoping GR Marketing Match levels the playing field so that marketing professionals who might not be "in the inner circles" of company contacts may have a better opportunity to showcase their talents. "It's not meant to replace Monster.com or Linked In," he says. "It's really meant to help connect people who are looking for a job to those who are hiring. Everyone that's signed up is dedicated to helping people because if this (loss of job) has not happened to them in the past, they know that it could very well happen in the future."

So far, about 60 hiring managers and 30 job hunters have agreed to participate in the service, Clark says. "We're averaging about two to three new subscribers (job hunters) a week."

Source: Craig Clark, Clark Communications

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

John A. VanDenBosch feed mill grows despite recession

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While other companies struggle during the recession, the John A. VanDenBosch Co. in Holland continues to grow with new equipment, climbing sales and plans to hire at least one new employee this year.

"It's been phenomenal," Dave VanDenBosch, company president, says in describing the firm's rising sales of wild bird feed, big game feed and pet food products. Over the past several years, sales have grown annually between 5 to 10 percent, hitting $24 million this year, he says.

"It's been a good industry to be in because it's somewhat recession proof," VanDenBosch says. "We anticipate continued growth."

Ironically, the company was established when the country was facing another economic downtown: the Depression. In 1932, it opened its doors to sell scratch feed for chickens and later expanded its product line. It's now run by third-generation family members.

The company now boasts new processing equipment in its Zeeland facility that was erected after a 2002 fire. The equipment blends and bags birdseed, grass seed and other animal feed. Three employees work there.

In addition to that, the company's corporate office and a large distribution center are located in Holland where 37 others are employed. Most goods are sold to retailers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois, he says.

Next year VanDenBosch hopes to build an addition to increase warehousing space.

Source: Dave VanDenBosch, John A. VandenBosch Co.

Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Grand Rapids' Service Express adds 25,000 square feet, 25 jobs

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Grand Rapids-based Service Express, Inc. plans to add some 25 knowledge jobs by the end of next year â 10 of them in Grand Rapids. In preparation for the growth, the company signed a lease agreement last month for a 25,000-square-foot warehouse/office space at 3854 Broadmoor.

The leased property doubles the company's square footage, which includes the 25,000-square-foot corporate headquarters at 4845 Corporate Exchange. The company's website says it offers customized service solutions for on-site hardware maintenance, focusing on IBM, HP, Sun and Dell mid to high end servers.

President Ron Alvesteffer says the 15 out-of-state jobs will come from the launch of four new markets: Pittsburgh, Penn.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Springfield, Il. and St. Louis, Mo. Memphis is a possible fifth.

The 10 new West Michigan positions will be for technical and internal operations jobs.

"We're running out of office space, conference room space, training space and we needed to create that," Alvesteffer says. "Instead of building on to the headquarters that we own, the lease rates are good right now and we can set ourselves up for future growth. We're just coming off a record month right now and we're planning 15 percent growth for 2010."

To some, that number might seem farfetched given the current economy, but Alvesteffer says Service Express will be up 12 percent at the end of 2009. Furthermore, he says the company has averaged 20 percent growth every year since 1997.

"It's not just about growth," he says. "We take great care of our employees and, in turn, they take great care of our customer and it creates this great momentum. That's the magic. We have a 98 percent customer retention rate."

Alvesteffer says the company has been one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For six years running and received the 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility.

Source: Ron Alvesteffer, Service Express, Inc.; NAI West Michigan

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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com.