Tim Keenan and RJ King | DBusiness
Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Shady Lane Cellars on Target to Triple Out-of-state Wine Sales in 2023
Shady Lane Cellars in Sutton’s Bay expects to triple its out-of-state wine sales during 2023, now holding licenses to ship to 39 states.
“For 2023 we are on pace to triple the total sales and number of orders we sent out in 2022 through our wine club and direct to consumer online sales,” says Luke Hershey, e-commerce and wine club manager. “It is incredibly important.”
Those two sources currently make up 18 percent of Shady Lane Cellars’ total sales.
“This opens the door for us to continue to grow as a business outside of our tasting room,” Hershey says.
Traverse City tourism officials have been reporting a strong rebound in tourism and working toward attracting more groups, business travel, and out-of-state visitors.
“We’ve had the best January, February and March ever,” he says.
To ship wines directly to consumers out of state, Shady Lane Cellars must hold a license for each state. For the past six years, the estate winery has shipped its wines across Michigan as well as to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Thanks to a new partnership with Vinoshipper, Shady Lane Cellars now can ship its sustainable, Michigan-made wines directly to consumers in an additional 32 states. From Blaufrankisch and Pinot Noir to Pomeranz and Pinot Gris, all Shady Lane Cellars wines are available for online purchase and shipping to an expanded list of destinations.
Wine sales can be made directly at ShadyLaneCellars.com and shipped direct to consumers in 39 states.
While this increases access to Shady Lane Cellars wines for consumers, it also expands the benefits of wine club, which had previously only been open to residents in Michigan and in surrounding Midwest states.
“We have wine club members and customers who live elsewhere year-round or in the off season,” Hershey adds. “We can now continue to ship wine orders to them when they leave the state. It also gives us the opportunity to test what kind of customer base and market we might have in states that we had not previously explored.”
$4.7M Available to Help Michigan Businesses Address Talent Shortages
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) in Lansing has released a competitive Request for Proposals to support the development of new, or the enhancement of existing, employer-led collaboratives throughout the state. Grant awards totaling $4.7 million are available to organizations through the Sector Strategies Employer-Led Collaborative initiative.
An employer-led collaborative is a group of businesses coming together to solve a common or shared workforce problem. Employer-led collaboratives bring together employers, education and training institutions, workforce development organizations and other applicable partners such as economic development organizations and government, to create solutions to fill identified talent gaps.
“These grants will fund innovative solutions that support Governor Whitmer’s MI New Economy plan, creating more opportunities for Michiganders to develop high-wage skills and helping the state’s employers address critical talent shortages,” says Susan Corbin, director of LEO. “Workers will receive the training and support they need to secure a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.”
Successful applicants should focus on priority occupations that support the federal government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Priority will be given to occupations in the fields of construction and extraction; installation, maintenance and repair; production; and transportation and material moving. Proposals from other key industries in Michigan with a focus on agri-business; energy; health care; information technology; manufacturing (outside of automobile and mobility); and outdoor recreation/hospitality are also eligible to apply. LEO anticipates funding 10-20 awardees with one-time grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000.
Request for Proposal submissions are due by May 8 with awards announced on June 23.
To assist applicants in completing their proposal submissions, an informational webinar will be conducted by LEO at 9 a.m. April 14. Potential grant applicants can register to attend the webinar and learn more about this RFP opportunity by visiting Michigan.gov/MICA.
Stefanini Launches Applications 2.0 Practice to Bolster Business Decision Making
Stefanini Group in Southfield has launched its Applications 2.0 practice to more fully integrate its portfolio of customer services. This reorganization is designed to allow the company to better meet client goals and communicate results more effectively.
The launch of the Applications 2.0 practice merges Stefanini’s current applications practice with its SAP practice to now include specialization in enterprise resource planning (ERP), data, artificial intelligence, cloud, and analytics.
Clients tend to use multiple application sets, creating the challenge of needing to analyze numerous data sets to inform broader business decisions. Stefanini simplifies the process for clients in its new Applications 2.0 practice by centralizing multiple data sources into one central location to create an integrated service portfolio.
“We’re honing in on improving the client experience across the board this year, and that process begins with internal changes to ensure that we’re offering our clients as much value as possible,” says Sandy Sankara, vice president of applications at Stefanini. “The integration of our service portfolio to form Applications 2.0 will allow us to achieve client goals more effectively and present a more comprehensive, data-informed picture of the information they need to make critical business decisions.”
The company is projecting significant growth for the new practice area, with an increase of 30 percent organic growth and the aim to increase the Applications 2.0 team by nearly 80 percent. While the team consists of nearly 250 currently, new hires and internal shifts will support the growth of the team to serve new and existing clients.
Stefanini plans to further elevate this new practice area in Q4 of 2023 by integrating the enterprise service portfolio to form the Applications 3.0 practice. This will merge the existing Applications 2.0 practice with infrastructure, security, and collaboration solutions, creating a comprehensive outcome-oriented service area.
For more information, visit stefanini.com.
ATX Networks Revs up Amplifier Production at New Michigan Plant
ATX Networks, a provider of broadband access and media distribution solutions, opened a new manufacturing plant in Grand Blanc Township, which will build the company’s GigaXtend HFC amplifiers and future ATX solutions.
“A USA-based manufacturing plant enables ATX to accelerate the assembly, packaging, and shipping of ATX products while expanding our overall manufacturing capabilities to meet the time-to-market needs of our customers,” says Dan Whalen, CEO of ATX Networks. “In addition to helping us keep supply chain constraints in check, a U.S. manufacturing facility has the potential to assist MSOs working to shrink the digital divide leveraging government funding.”
The state-of-the-art facility, announced in September of last year, is owned and operated by Mara Technologies, a subsidiary of the Invotek Group. Mara incorporated an advanced and highly automated linear production line and testing capabilities into the plant’s design for high-volume and high-quality production of outside plant products.
The plant initially will produce ATX’s widely deployed GainMaker-compatible GigaXtend amplifiers.
Multiple industry analysts are predicting that MSOs will make once-in-a-generation investments in the expansion of their HFC infrastructures over the next several years. The new facility provides ATX’s customers with assurances that the company will be able to scale manufacturing operations to meet the expected increase in demand. In addition, MSOs seeking public funding for expansions into rural regions and other underserved or unserved communities are incentivized by the terms of government subsidies to purchase equipment manufactured in the U.S.
For more information, visit atx.com.
Opus IVS Finalizes MY23 Coverage and Improves VIN Decoding Support
Opus IVS, a Detroit-based diagnostics, ADAS calibration, programming, and on-demand remote expert support provider, has released Giotto software, which also is deployed in the DriveSafe and DrivePro products.
The latest upgrade consists of full MY23 content and significant advancements for Toyota, Ford, Land Rover, Porsche and VAG including EV model and ADAS systems support.
New content includes full MY23 support for Toyota/Lexus/Scion, additional model support for Audi e-Tron GT, sensor auto detection speed and network test communications on CAN-29 bit modules for VW / Audi, as well as Ford support of F-250/350, 6.7L MY23, and Lane Change Warning system test for the X1 chassis. Other enhancements include 3.8L support for the Porsche 992 and Active Commands for DoIP on all Land Rover vehicles.
“This latest content update is our biggest and best ever, with our priorities coming directly from what we are seeing in the field,” says Jay Horak, chief technology officer of Opus IVS. “We are the only entity that offers our own unparalleled vehicle coverage and are now the only provider offering full model year 23 coverage — all integrated with CCC One for maximum efficiency in the collision repair environment.
“Having the latest coverage means you don’t need tools to determine the actual capability of your scanning solution, you can always select the method of scanning that is best for your repair needs – OEM scanning or our own multi-brand capabilities and is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest value technology to the vehicle repair industry.”
Beaumont Children’s Receives $1.7M in Children’s Miracle Network Grants
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) announced $1.7 million in financial support for programs at Corewell Health’s Beaumont Children’s.
For nearly 40 years, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been a fundraising partner of the Corewell Health Foundation – Southeast Michigan (the new name for the Beaumont Health Foundation), raising donations of more than $80 million to help Beaumont Children’s pioneer new health care solutions for children and provide access to the latest research and technology.
The success of Corewell Health’s Beaumont Children’s/CMNH partnership relies upon the generosity of the entire community including assistance from corporate partners, individuals, and hospital team members. Corporate partners often reach out to their employees and customers through retail promotions, generating donations gathered one dollar at a time. Major CMNH corporate partners include: Speedway, Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Rite Aid, Ace Hardware, RE/MAX, Panda Express, Dairy Queen, and Marriott International.
In 2022, sponsors of the Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational raised more than $1 million to support programs of Corewell Health’s Beaumont Children’s/CMNH and The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. Dozens of local and national celebrities donated their time to make the event a wonderful success.
Twice a year, February and August, Corewell Health (the new name for Beaumont Health) pediatric nurses, physicians, and clinical leaders from all eight southeast Michigan hospitals (Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Trenton, Taylor, Troy and Wayne), as well as Corewell Health’s Beaumont Health Center, Center for Exceptional Families, and other outpatient sites, have the opportunity to request grants from Beaumont Children’s/CMNH to support new or existing pediatric initiatives.
Some of the spring 2023 funded items include:
Bedside monitors – updated monitors for pro and post pediatric procedures and IV infusions
NICU milk bank room – a safe area to store and prepare breast milk for premature infants.
Surgical camera heads – additional visual element to perform crucial airway procedures
Sleep recliners – comfortable design for mothers after delivery, resulting in quicker recovery time.
Code Blue III Newborn Resuscitation and Emergency Simulator Kit – to educate and simulate treatment for newborn emergencies.
Pediatric laryngoscopy – allows for efficient and comfortable examination of children’s throat areas.
Infant phototherapy radiometer – for safe and accurate phototherapy treatment of jaundice in newborns.
Community display boards on the hazards of smoking and vaping – messaging geared toward teens on the negative effects of smoking and vaping on health.
Bike Day – providing customized adaptive bikes for children with special needs.
For more information, visit here and here.
Hagerty Helps Grand Traverse Region Thrive Through Donations, Grant Support
Traverse City-based automotive lifestyle and specialty insurance provider Hagerty announced $46,000 in first quarter quarterly corporate grants in the Grand Traverse Region.
The grants are awarded four times a year to organizations and nonprofits that support environmental stewardship, sustainable and green businesses, regional parks and recreation, small businesses and entrepreneurship, and economic development and community resilience, including crisis relief. Hagerty has provided more than $5.5 million in support to local organizations.
“This is our home,” says Kory Felker, vice president of brand strategy at Hagerty. “As one of the region’s largest employers and as people who care about this community and its quality of life, we are proud to support these incredible organizations and the work they do to make the Grand Traverse region a better, more prosperous place to live and work.”
Local organizations receiving grants for the first quarter of 2023 include:
Paddle Antrim, a nonprofit organization working to protect our water resources by using paddle sports to connect people to our waterways.
Discovery Center Great Lakes, which provides meaningful, hands-on experiences for all on the Great Lakes.
Northwest Food Coalition, a grassroots coalition of as many as 70 food pantries, emergency meal sites and baby pantries in Northern Michigan.
Stand Up for Great Lakes, a Williamsburg-based nonprofit with a mission to preserve and protect the Great Lakes by inspiration, education, awareness, and action.
Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART), which is dedicated to providing recreation and transportation opportunities through preserving open space corridors, building trails, and advocating for active living and outdoor recreation.
Hagerty also provided support to BGoldN, a nonprofit in Golden, Colo., that partners with local schools to meet children’s immediate nutritional needs, and Pingree Detroit, which produces handmade footwear, accessories, home goods and pet accessories with leather upcycled from the auto industry.
To apply for a Hagerty Corporate Giving grant, visit here.
Women’s Vendor and Small Business Showcase Coming to Detroit
The metro Detroit community is invited to support small businesses and women entrepreneurs at the upcoming Women’s Vendor and Small Business Showcase from 10 a.m-7 p.m. on April 22 at SpaceLab Detroit (607 Shelby St.) in downtown Detroit.
The event will feature a variety of vendors selling products and services, and five local businesswomen who will conduct one-hour workshops for attendees.
Presenting are:
- Orletta Caldwell of Beyond Existing Enterprises.
- Tina Patterson of Patterson Justice Counsel.
- Kimberly Dokes of Dokes Design Architecture.
- April Halliburton of All-4-HR & Business Solutions.
- Deba Harper of Detroit Dream Investment Solutions.
“We are thrilled to bring this event to the Detroit community,” says Karen Burton, co-founder and CEO of SpaceLab Detroit. “We are passionate about supporting small businesses and women entrepreneurs, and we believe that this showcase and workshop series will provide attendees with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like-minded businesswomen.”
Vendor space is still available for businesses interested in participating. For more information on becoming a vendor or attending the event, please visit spacelabdetroit.com/WHM or contact Mari Byrd at marib@spacelabdetroit.com.
Shelving.com’s Bocce with the Brothers Raises $100K+ for Capuchin Ministries
Shelving.com in Madison Heights sponsored Bocce with the Brothers March 24 at Villa Penna in Sterling Heights and raised $104,782, the most in the 11-year history of the event.
More than 400 people attended the event, 100 percent of the proceeds from which will directly support the work of the Capuchin Ministries.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to the community for coming out to celebrate and support such a deserving nonprofit that is near and dear to our hearts,” says Michael Schodowski, president of Shelving.com. “This was our most successful Bocce with the Brothers yet, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year to support the Capuchin Ministries.”
The event included food and desserts, musical performances, live and silent auctions, and unlimited bocce ball.
Shelving.com also is hosting its 30th Annual Benefit on the Bay fundraiser in support of Capuchin Ministries on Friday, Aug. 25, at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township. Visit the Benefit on the Bay website for information about tickets, sponsorships and more.