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.
Cabinetworks to Host Open House at New Livonia Headquarters
Cabinetworks Group, a manufacturer of kitchen cabinets with facilities in 11 states, is moving its more than 200 headquarters-based employees from Ann Arbor to its new center of operations in Livonia.
The relocation of its headquarters to Livonia deepens Cabinetworks in Michigan and creates a state-of-the-art hub for growth, innovation, and collaboration from which it will more than 8,000 employees nationwide, the company says.
The company will host an open house at the new facility (20000 Victor Parkway) from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 7.
Rally House Adds New Location in Orion Township
Rally House has opened a new storefront in Orion Township, right off I-75.
“Our team is happy to be a part of the expansion in this portion of the Detroit market,” says Monika Ross, district manager for Rally House. “Rally House Baldwin is going to be an instant hit for all of the awesome fans in the area, especially with so many great products to browse and a friendly staff to help along the way.”
The company says there are many top-tier brands from the sports industry in stock at Rally House Baldwin, such as New Era, ’47, Mitchell & Ness, Nike, and Adidas. Customers also will be able to find gear from numerous local college and pro teams, including names like the Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and more.
This new Rally House store also offers local apparel, collectibles, and gifts featuring one-of-a-kind designs, including products inspired by Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, Stroh’s Beer, Michigummies, and others.
MRLA Marks Michigan’s Women in Hospitality Conference
For the second year in a row, the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) hosted a sold-out Michigan’s Women in Hospitality Leadership (WIHL) Statewide Conference with more than 450 hospitality professionals on Nov. 15.
The conference, which took place at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids in Grand Rapids, featured a day of learning, networking, and recognition and included 15 keynote speakers who shared their professional knowledge to help the industry — and women — continue to grow in leadership.
Conference attendees enjoyed a variety of informative and engaging conversations throughout the event as well as presentations from featured keynote speakers.
International best-selling author, TEDEx speaker and Intentional Living Expert Megan Miller delivered the opening keynote remarks. Her inspiring presentation focused on tangible tools to help prevent burnout while also helping attendees learn how to remain focused on self-care. The closing keynote presentation featured Graci Harkema, an international diversity, equity and inclusion speaker and best-selling author of her memoir, “Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom – and Back Again.” She shared her powerful life story and lessons of overcoming adversity, empowering others, rising into mental wellbeing, finding belonging, and rising in inclusive leadership.
Additional keynotes speakers included: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, City of Grand Rapids; Norina Cadili, general manager of the JW Marriott Grand Rapids; Ashley Coneff, interdisciplinary leader in government affairs and environmental, social, governance with experience as a litigator, public servant, and lobbyist; Hilary Doe, chief growth officer for the state of Michigan; Janelle Jagmin, director of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council; Emily Lawler, state government and politics editor at the Detroit Free Press; Katy McBrady, president of Atwater Brewery; Christina Post, regional manager of Anna’s House Restaurants; Lexie Stypelkoski, marketing coordinator for Mission Point Resort; Andrea Willcut, operations director for Klavon’s Pizzeria & Pub; and sisters Megan, Carrie, and Amanda of Three Blondes Brewing.
Steelcase 2023 Impact Report Announces Company’s Progress
Grand Rapids-based Steelcase has released its 2023 Impact Report, “Our Work Toward Better Futures,” which highlights the company’s recent accomplishments that improve the wellbeing of people and the planet.
With aggressive climate reduction goals, the company says it was the first in the industry to become carbon neutral in 2020, the first to set science-based targets to reduce emissions from its operations by 50 percent, the first to partner with suppliers to establish their own emissions reduction targets, and the first to offer products with CarbonNeutral certification.
The new report details how the company is building community and belonging for people with its work toward equitable access to opportunity in the workplace and the world, focused on three significant areas of impact – helping communities thrive, fostering inclusion and acting with integrity. Progress includes:
- Activating community partnerships in 37 Steelcase locations around the world and partnering with 169 organizations on more than 278 projects to address the root causes of inequalities around the world.
- Contributing more than $8.6M in charitable giving, including employee donations to United Way, employee matching gifts, and grants from the Steelcase Foundation.
- Volunteering more than 39,632 hours since 2021, on the way to a goal of 100,000 hours by 2030.
- Growing employee participation in DEI learning experiences by 43.7 percent and offering more than 200 DEI learning experiences.
- Building the inclusive design practice by collaborating alongside global advocates and community to share best practices and develop inclusive design strategies.
“Our goal is to help people do their best work by creating places that work better. But making products in the 21st century compels us to ask, ‘How can we design better futures for the wellbeing of people and the planet?’” says Kim Dabbs, vice president of ESG and social innovation at Steelcase. “Our 2023 Impact Report represents all the hard work being done throughout our organization and I’m grateful and proud of our teams that work tirelessly every day to create better futures for people and the planet.”
For more information about Steelcase’s environmental initiatives, visit here.
Meridian Partners With Envolve Vision Van to Provide Free Exams and Eyeglasses
Meridian, a Detroit‑based provider of government‑sponsored health plans, has partnered with the Envolve Vision Van to provide eye exams and eyeglasses at no costs to students in low-income urban and rural communities.
Meridian and the Envolve Vision Van kicked off the school-based mobile vision program in October at Greyhound Intermediate School in Eaton Rapids, where 188 students received eye exams and prescriptions for 48 pairs of eyeglasses. Earlier this month, the van visited five elementary and middle schools in the Wayne-Westland Community School District.
In all, the van provided vision exams to 846 students at both schools and 179 eyeglass prescriptions. The eyeglasses will soon be delivered to the children’s homes by mail at no charge, courtesy of Meridian.
The project is supported through Centene, which owns Envolve Vision and offers the mobile vision van to provide vision screenings and eyeglasses to communities. Under this program, the van’s trained technicians performed onsite vision screenings for school-aged children. Students all receive a no-cost pair of glasses with their vision screening results and an eye care information packet for their parents and caregivers with instructions on proper vision care.
Meridian plans to expand the program to more schools next year across Michigan to give more school-aged children a chance to see clearly and achieve success in the classroom and beyond.
Penske Automotive Group Publishes 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report
Penske Automotive Group Inc., based in Bloomfield Township, has published its 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report. The 2023 report showcases the company’s progress toward its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and its commitment to promote a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and motivated workforce.
“Over the course of the last 12 months, we continued to integrate sustainability initiatives into the culture across our organization,” says Roger Penske, chair and CEO of PAG. “I am proud of the progress PAG has made and am confident we are building a strong foundation to make even greater contributions toward a more equitable and sustainable future.”
To view the company’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report, visit here.
BMA Banking Systems Selects Bankjoy as a Preferred Provider for Online, Mobile Banking
BMA Banking Systems, a provider of core banking software and services to independent community financial institutions in Utah, has selected Detroit’s Bankjoy as a preferred partner for online and mobile banking.
Through the partnership, BMA’s bank and credit union clients can enhance the digital banking experience for their customers and members with Bankjoy’s platform. BMA selected Bankjoy as a preferred partner following a rigorous vetting process, as the company sought a trusted digital banking partner whose technology aligned seamlessly with the needs of BMA’s new and existing client base.
With Bankjoy as a preferred partner, BMA will offer the company’s end-to-end digital banking platform, and suite of online and mobile banking features to help its financial institution clients stay ahead of the technology curve.
Bankjoy’s modern banking tools, which include mobile banking, online banking, e-statements, online account opening, online loan origination, and conversational AI are designed for banks and credit unions of all sizes. Bankjoy’s reputation as a world-class digital banking provider and its established presence in the credit union space were key differentiators for BMA.
