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.
Detroit Pistons to Honor 2004 NBA Championship Team March 17
The Detroit Pistons will honor the 20th anniversary of its 2004 NBA Championship team during the March 17 home game vs. the Miami Heat March 17 at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. The game tips off at 3:30 p.m.
Members of the championship team will be on hand for the game, which will include a pregame “Walk of Champions” on the Via concourse at the arena to engage with fans, a special halftime ceremony with video tributes, in-game interviews, and highlights of special moments commemorating the team. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative poster marking the occasion.
The Pistons also are releasing a special edition red satin Starter Jacket designed by Ty Mopkins to commemorate the 20th anniversary. Available at Pistons313Shop.com, the Pistons Team Store at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center, and Little Caesars Arena, the jacket features the classic Pistons font across the chest, an alternative DP logo on the left shoulder and 2004 NBA Finals Logo on right shoulder.
The Detroit Pistons primary logo is centered on the back of jacket with the NBA Logo placed on the midsection just above the right jacket pocket. The inside of the jacket features the number 20, signifying the 20th anniversary of the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons.
In addition to the game-day recognition on March 17, the Detroit Historical Museum currently is showcasing an exhibit celebrating and recognizing both the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 NBA Championship and the 35th Anniversary of the 1989 NBA Championship. Titled “Thirty Five | 20,” the exhibition opened Jan. 27 and runs through June 23. The exhibit is located on the second floor of the museum, in the new City of Champions Gallery. The Detroit Historical Museum is located at 5401 Woodward Ave.
Spain’s LLYC Acquires 70% of Lambert Global for $18.2M
Spain-based LLYC, a global corporate affairs and marketing consulting firm, has acquired an initial 70 percent stake in Lambert Global, a communications firm with offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids, for $18.2 million. It now goes by the name of Lambert by LLYC
Founded in 1998, Lambert Global pioneered the integrated PR and IR agency model and has enjoyed 25 years of growth. The acquisition represents the largest in LLYC’s history and aligns with its strategic plan of expanding its footprint in the U.S. and positioning itself as a relevant player in the biggest market in the world.
The transaction will triple the company’s size in the U.S. where it will become LLYC’s second largest market after Spain.
All Lambert partners will join LLYC, including Chairman and CEO Jeff Lambert, who also is global chair of the world’s largest partnership of independent agencies, PROI Worldwide; and President Mike Houston, who previously led Lambert’s largest practice in investor relations and capital markets.
Lambert will join LLYC’s Global Executive Committee, while Houston and Lambert both will join the company’s U.S. Executive Committee.
“I founded Lambert as the first integrated PR and IR firm, and we applied this shareholder-value approach to our clients and their campaigns to drive differentiation and growth for 25 straight years,” says Lambert, founder, chairman, and CEO of Lambert. “As we expanded through acquisitions into new geographies and broader marketing services, and through innovations like shareholder loyalty platform TiiCKER, we were looking for the next peak to ascend and found it with LLYC, an international player and public company with the same entrepreneurial roots, underdog mentality, and tenacious will to win.”
Report: Automotive Transmission Market worth $84.2B by 2028
The Automotive Transmission Market is projected to grow from $62.4 billion in 2023 to $84.2 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Chicago-based MarketsandMarkets.
The automotive transmission market is driven by factors such as a shift toward automatic transmissions due to increasing customer preference for convenience and rising demand for fuel-efficient vehicles leading to advancements in transmission technologies.
Rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles requires specialized transmissions, like continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) in hybrid vehicles and single-speed transmissions in BEVs, to maximize efficiency and performance. Hence, the transmission market is expected to experience a shift from conventional transmissions to hybrid/electric vehicle transmissions in the coming years.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an automatic transmission technology that uses two pulleys connected by a steel belt. It adjusts the size of these pulleys to change gear ratios smoothly, avoiding jolts during shifts and providing a comfortable driving experience. With the increasing popularity of SUVs globally, automatic transmissions like CVTs are becoming more preferred for city driving.
The report says CVTs provide an” excellent opportunity for transmission manufacturers” because they offer better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions than other automatic transmission types. CVTs are mainly used in hybrid and electric vehicles, which are in higher demand due to environmental concerns.
Considering the trends in the market, companies like Bosch are also introducing upgraded products like eCVT, introduced in September 2023. This eCVT combines CVT technology with an electric motor for better efficiency and performance in electric vehicles.
To view more details, visit here.
CITGO Enters EV Space with Pilot Program in Michigan
CITGO Petroleum Corp.in Houston, along with longtime marketer Folk Oil Co., recently launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging pilot program designed to meet the needs of EV drivers in Battle Creek.
The CITGO location at 15551 11 Mile Road now offers both regular transportation fuel and EV charging stations. For added consumer convenience, EV chargers include both Charging System and the North American Charging Standard plugs.
“As a marketer, we need to provide offerings that meet all types of transportation needs for our consumers,” says Jim Linton, president of Folk Oil Co., “so we appreciate how CITGO is approaching the EV space in a way that ensures its marketers’ success. Working together we were able to pinpoint the best location to launch this program.”
CITGO devised an internal model to assess the viability of EV sites and collaborated with national electrical company AGI for implementation. The turnkey solutions provider will work with stores throughout the entire process, even facilitating access to available grants via the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the Inflation Reduction Act, and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Utilities.
Altimetrik in Southfield Unveils a Market-first Digital Business Methodology
Altimetrik in Southfield has unveiled its Digital Business Methodology (DBM) using 10 years of experience in delivering outcomes and growth for customers.
At the core of the DBM is the business taking the ownership and engagement, which enables successful implementation of GenAI/AI.
Business stakeholders are grappling with challenges and confusion surrounding GenAI/AI stemming from issues such as data quality, complexity, silos, and an abundance of tools, according to Altimetrik. The inability to align business intuition with GenAI/AI language models due to data challenges further undermines confidence in decision-making and a reluctance for the business to take ownership.
To address these hurdles, DBM, a business-facing holistic approach is necessary, the company says. It brings in the needed discipline within a cloud agnostic ecosystem and is supported by simplified technology and end-to-end workflows.
“Our DBM represents the first proven approach to digital business in the market, empowering companies to foster collaboration and drive innovation, there is no other company that offers this today,” says Raj Vattikuti, executive chairman of Altimetrik. “I am excited with the launch of our unique digital business brand and take great pride in our team’s successful track record as a strategic partner to customers creating innovative solutions that drive growth.”
For more information, visit altimetrik.com/.
Junior League Announces Designers for 25th Designers’ Show House
The Junior League of Detroit (JLD) has announced its slate of interior designers for the 25th Designers’ Show House, to take place May 4-19. This year’s group is made up of firms from as near as Grosse Pointe Shores and as far as Naples, Fla.
The house, located at 315 Lakeland St. in the city of Grosse Pointe, is a nearly 8,500-square-foot Tudor home designed by renowned architect George D. Mason and built in 1929 for Dr. J. Milton Robb.
A total of 19 interior designers comprises this year’s list, charged with bringing new life to the rooms found in this storied home, from a gentleman’s lounge to a sitting room to a two-story foyer to a conservatory.
Wanda Brown, of Wanda Brown Interior Designs, participated in the Designers’ Show House in 2014 and 2022 and says she is excited to be a part of it again this year — not only because of the opportunity to let her creative juices flow but because of what it means on a broader scale.
“I love being a part of the Designers’ Show House because it’s history,” Brown says. “As long as I can remember, the Junior League has done a show house. It has been a staple in our com-munity and a real source of joy and pleasure for 50 years. That to me speaks volumes about what the Junior League represents to this area.”
For Tiffany Cobb, working on the 2024 Show House is a sort of homecoming.
“I’m based out of Atlanta but my roots are in Detroit,” Cobb says. “It feels not only appropriate but essential to be a part of Detroit’s design footprint and give back to the city that ignited my passion for design.”
Cobb plans to take things far afield though this year by presenting a Madagascar-inspired sit-ting room.
“As a globally inspired interior designer who travels the world, I’m excited to offer an immersive experience showcasing the beauty of this island country. My aim is not only to transport the viewer to a place of mystery and allure within our meticulously crafted space but also to raise awareness for this remarkable country and the world around us.”
A longtime favorite event of the metro Detroit community, this will be the final Show House for the JLD as it looks to other projects that will continue to make an impact on the community.
“As our most significant fundraiser since its inception in 1976, the Designers’ Show House has provided funding for critical JLD projects and partnerships throughout the city of Detroit, including addressing literacy, food accessibility, health and wellness and more,” says Mary Hollens, president of the Junior League of Detroit.
Proceeds from the 2024 Designers’ Show House will support the JLD’s partnership with Brilliant Detroit, a non-profit organization that addresses early childhood development and kindergarten readiness through the establishment of family centers in underutilized housing stock, developed and designed by the neighbors themselves. The homes provide a place for fellowship, activities, learning, and support for families and neighbors.
The 2024 Designers’ Show House will be open to the public May 4-19, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday and Friday evenings 6-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday noon-5 p.m.
To purchase individual or group tickets, visit here. Tickets also may be purchased at the Village Palm at 17131 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe. Contributions made to the Junior League of Detroit are tax deductible as allowed by law.
OSF HealthCare, Pointcore, and GE HealthCare Form Care Alliance
Chicago-based GE HealthCare has announced a collaboration with OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system caring for patients throughout Illinois and Michigan, and Pointcore Inc., a health care management and non-clinical shared services company, to help increase clinical and operational efficiencies, standardize care delivery models, and improve patient outcomes across OSF HealthCare.
This alliance will utilize GE HealthCare’s expertise and innovative technology and Pointcore’s decades of experience managing nonclinical matters for hospitals and clinics. It also will support the mission of OSF HealthCare to deliver exceptional care to patients in the communities they serve.
“In the rapidly changing world of health care, this strategic collaboration between OSF HealthCare, Pointcore, and GE HealthCare means that we can ensure our mission partners (employees) have the right technology at the right place at the right time, fundamentally changing the way we deliver care to over 1 million patients each year,” says Jim Mormann, CEO of OSF HealthCare Integrated Solutions and Pointcore. “It is in direct alignment with our Mission to serve with the greatest care and love to all the communities we have been called to serve and aims to allow our patients to have access to the best care possible.”
NatGeo Wild’s ‘Incredible Pol Farm’ Co-star Expands Oakland County Business
Courtyard Stone & Landscape Inc., a company celebrated for its landscape designs, has launched of its newest division, Courtyard Creations.
With more than 25 years of experience under the belt of its founder, Benjamin Reinhold, Courtyard Creations is hoping to redefine outdoor spaces with its unique and personalized landscape designs.
Reinhold, a lifelong Michigan resident and co-star of NatGeo Wild’s “Incredible Pol Farm” has a passion for the great outdoors. He brings his experience and creative flair to Courtyard Creations.
“Each landscape tells its own story,” says Reinhold. “At Courtyard Creations, we’re here to make each of those stories as unique and captivating as possible.”
Courtyard Creations specializes in crafting landscape designs that blend with the natural environment.
“We’re not just designing landscapes, we’re crafting experiences and memories that will last a lifetime,” says Reinhold. “Our goal is to exceed your expectations, not just meet them. With Courtyard Creations, your outdoor space will not only be timeless but uniquely yours.”
For more information, visit here.
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Grows with Acquisition
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has acquired the 19.93-acre Robert and Laurie Sharkus Tract for addition into the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Directly adjacent to both the refuge’s Strong tract and Burke tract, this smaller property packs a whole host of habitat types from scrub-shrub with a wet grassland to a mature woodlot that boasts many interesting songbirds in the spring to a fallow agricultural field and constructed ponds.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff hopes to plant native warm season grasses in the upland portions of this tract as part of the restoration efforts at this site and to enhance habitat for resident and migrating birds and other wildlife. This property will join the Strong, Burke, and Osborne tracts as part of the greater Strong Unit of the refuge and remain closed to public access.
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge owns and cooperatively manages more than 6,300 acres along a 48-mile stretch of shoreline on the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. Habitats being managed within the refuge include islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals, and waterfront lands.
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is the first international refuge in North America and one of only a few refuges in the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program in the nation.
For more information, visit here.
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Hosting Lunar New Year Celebration This Weekend
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is inviting everyone to Detroit’s waterfront this weekend to experience winter celebrations from around the globe and to celebrate Lunar New Year with a food truck rally, parades, hands-on crafts, and dance performances.
Lunar New Year takes place Friday from 4-9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., Sunday from noon-7 p.m. The free event takes place at Robert C. Valade Park, located along the East Riverfront in downtown Detroit at 2670 E. Atwater. Lunar New Year brings to a close the conservancy’s Winter at Valade (WAV) season.
“Our Winter at Valade programming grows in popularity ever year,” says Rachel Frierson, senior director of programming and public spaces at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. “We are excited to celebrate with a Lunar New Year celebration that will be colorful, engaging, and feature something for everyone in the entire family.”
For details about the weekend’s events and activities, visit here.
Furniture Bank Sees 80% Increase in Families Needing Furniture Donations
The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan in Pontiac is seeing a 80 percent jump year-over-year of families who urgently need gently used furniture and other basics.
More than 180 families are waiting for at least 2,100 items, including mattresses, box springs, dressers, dining sets, and sofas. This is triple the number of families waiting for furniture compared to the same period in 2021.
“More than 80 percent of the households we’re helping have annual incomes of $20,000 or less,” says Robert Boyle, executive director of the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan. “When you consider that most of these households have children, it’s easy to understand why furniture isn’t affordable for families battling inflation and struggling to keep up with rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation costs.
“Providing for your family and getting ahead is even more difficult if you aren’t getting a good night’s rest in a warm bed or living in the comfort and stability of a furnished home.”
The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan provides furniture to families in need, creating a stable living environment and restoring dignity to those facing tough times. The organization serves Southeastern Michigan and is dedicated to improving the lives of families in need by providing furniture assistance.
Those interested in making a tax-deductible furniture donation can call 248-332-1300 or visit here to coordinate free pick up.
