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.
DTE Energy Invests $2.5B with Michigan Suppliers During 2022
DTE Energy announced that it invested $2.5 billion with Michigan businesses in 2022, creating and sustaining more than 11,000 jobs across the state.
DTE has invested nearly $18 billion with Michigan-based suppliers since 2010, creating and sustaining 65,000 Michigan jobs. The company invests five times more with local businesses than it did a decade ago and continues to be a leader in driving Michigan’s economy.
The company’s local spending in 2022 increased 13.5 percent over 2021. Last year, DTE also spent more than $894 million with diverse suppliers and $900 million with companies based in the city of Detroit.
“Doing business in the communities we serve puts people to work and drives Michigan’s economy forward,” says Jerry Norcia, chairman and CEO of DTE. “Prioritizing partnerships with in-state suppliers is a big part of our commitment to improving people’s lives because it gives local businesses new opportunities to succeed. And the best part is these partnerships enable us to deliver higher quality, lower cost service for our customers.”
In southeast Michigan and metro Detroit, DTE bought nearly $1.9 billion in goods and services from more than 1,261 companies, generating and supporting at least 8,700 jobs. The company also made significant expenditures all around the state.
The company also has earned 54 supplier diversity industry awards since 2018 and has led organizations like the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
Michigan companies interested in learning about bid opportunities at DTE can find more information here.
KSI Kitchen & Bath Opens New Design Center in Rochester Hills
KSI Kitchen & Bath (KSI), has opened a new design center, featuring a curated selection of elegant kitchen and bath displays showcasing unique twists on traditional, transitional, and contemporary styles, in City Life Plaza at 144 Tienken Road in Rochester Hills.
The breadth of framed and full-access cabinetry, presentations and storage solutions, and material combinations allow homeowners, builders, and remodelers to gather inspiration for their next project while exploring style and functionality.
KSI’s Rochester Hills design center provides clients with an “elevated kitchen and bath design experience” through a five-step process called Bringing Design Home. The process begins with a consultation at the design center to explore client needs and inspiration, continues with best-in-class professional design services, and follows through with quality craftsmanship and attentive communication through every step of the project.
“Our award-winning team of professional designers makes it easy for customers to visualize incredible spaces in the home,” says Mark Renn, regional director of KSI. “This beautiful new space allows us to better serve the kitchen and bath design needs of homeowners and the building community in the greater Rochester area.”
The new center is KSI’s sixth location in southeast Michigan, complementing additional design centers in Birmingham, Macomb, Brighton, Livonia, and Ann Arbor.
Affidaré Private Wealth Management Aligns with Texas Firm
Affidaré Private Wealth Management in Auburn Hills has joined the platform of Texas-based Kestra Private Wealth Services, a registered investment adviser subsidiary of Kestra Financial Inc.
Affidaré is led by founder John Perillo. The firm specializes in personalized financial plans for high-net-worth individuals, families, and retired executives. It currently serves 25 households and oversees $150 million in assets.
“After spending 30 years building trust through meaningful relationships, independence felt like a natural transition for me and the clients I serve,” says Perillo. “Through the freedom and host of resources provided by Kestra Private Wealth Services, I have the ability to continue to offer high-touch service, while also collaborating with a network of like-minded individuals to create the best possible outcomes for clients.”
Through Affidaré Private Wealth Management’s partnership with Kestra PWS, Perillo will leverage a full-service support model offering clients an enhanced experience.
“John is an incredibly energized and focused financial professional with a proven track record of success, and his wealth of experience will be an asset to our platform,” says Rob Bartenstein, senior managing director and CEO of Kestra PWS. “We’re thrilled to support him on his journey to independence while he continues to help clients achieve their financial goals.”
Affidaré joins OWL Private Wealth Advisors and Polaris Private Wealth as Kestra PWS’ third firm in the Detroit metro area.
American Axle Wins Dorian Award for Bottom Line Improvement
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. in Detroit has received a Dorian Award for Bottom Line Improvement through applying Shainin methods of problem solving.
“The Dorian Award celebrates excellence in engineering and recognizes the contributions of individuals and teams in pushing the boundaries of innovation,” says David C. Dauch, chairman and CEO of AAM. “AAM and our associates’ approach problem solving and problem prevention using Shainin methods. As a result, we experience significant improvements in our business.”
The Bottom Line Improvement Dorian Award recognizes companies that have successfully developed a Red X Program and can demonstrate impactful improvements based on that development. Red X is a problem-solving methodology, which states that for every problem there is a prominent root cause that must be eliminated.
The Dorian Awards honor problem-solving teams, leaders, and companies from around the world that have proven exceptional in applying Shainin methods and leadership during the previous year.
Treat Dreams’ Midtown Location to Host Detroit Crêpe Shop Takeover
From now through the end of April, The French Cow crêpe shop will be taking over Treat Dream’s Midtown location to serve sweet and savory crêpes, along with coffee, an assortment of baguette sandwiches and a limited menu of Treat Dreams ice cream from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Then, from 5-8:30 p.m. on those same days, Treat Dream’s full selection of ice cream flavors will be available for purchase, making 4160 Cass Ave. an all-day stop for sweets in Midtown.
Treat Dreams opened its first location in Ferndale in 2010 and then expanded into Midtown in 2015. From flavors like Lobster Bisque and Brown Sugar Ham to classics like Kooky Monster and Salted Butterscotch, the ice cream shop has a wide variety of delicious ice cream, in addition to other frozen favorites like ice cream sandwiches and “pup cups.”
Owner Scott Moloney has partnered with several local businesses in the past. This year, during the slower winter months faced by ice cream shops, a partnership with The French Cow just made sense.
“Ice cream just isn’t as popular in the winter months as it is during the hot summer season, so I’m always looking for ways to shake things up when the weather cools down,” Moloney says. “Through this partnership with The French Cow, Treat Dreams can be a breakfast, a lunch, and a dessert destination all in one.”
Seven Domino’s Locations Join Consumers Energy Powering Electric Vehicle Program
Consumers Energy in Jackson is providing rebates for electric vehicle (EV) chargers at seven Domino’s Pizza locations in west and mid-Michigan that will serve customers with electric vehicles.
The energy provider is working with more than 50 Michigan-based businesses, schools, and hospitals making the generational shift to clean, carbon-free transportation.
“We are thrilled to see Domino’s Pizza take a leadership role and provide an example for others as they upgrade their fleet across Michigan with electric vehicles,” says Lauren Snyder, vice president of customer experience at Consumer’s Energy. “Like other Michigan businesses, Domino’s is showing that EVs protect the planet and are a sound business decision.”
Consumers Energy provided rebates and expertise help to install EV chargers at each of the seven Domino’s locations through its PowerMIFleet program. PowerMIFleet helps fleet owners and operators reduce operating costs, eliminate emissions and simplify vehicle maintenance by transitioning to electric vehicles.
The Domino’s locations are in Alma, Grand Rapids, Ionia, Jenison, Mount Pleasant, St. Johns, and Wyoming.
“Domino’s is excited to lead the charge when it comes to pizza delivery,” says Eric Arntson, franchise owner of the Domino’s Pizza locations. “Using EVs makes sense as vehicle technology continues to evolve. We’re beyond thrilled to offer electric delivery to customers and reduce our environmental impact, one delivery at a time.”
Domino’s plans to have nearly 900 EVs nationwide by the end of this year, including 24 at its seven Michigan locations Consumers Energy is powering.
California Firm Expands Network with Launch of Metro Detroit-based Clinical Trial Site
Headlands Research, a California-based network of clinical trial sites, recently launched a metro Detroit-based clinical research site, expanding clinical trial access to a large population that contributes to the overall diversity and representativeness of Headlands Research’s site network.
Headlands Research Detroit is the second site to open following last year’s announcement of a multiyear initiative to launch several diversity-focused sites.
“At Headlands Research, one of our primary missions is to increase access to clinical trials for a broader range of the population so our research results reflect the people most affected by a disease or condition,” says Cathy Collins, CEO of Headlands Research. “Adding this site and its skilled, experienced staff to our network allows us to ensure our research helps reduce health disparities by reaching a more inclusive group of people who are traditionally underrepresented in clinical research.”
Research at the Detroit site is led by principal investigators Dr. David Strong and Dr. Sophie Toya, with Patrick Keating as site director.
“As a proud southeast Michigan native, I’ve dedicated my career to making excellent medical care available to the local region,” says Strong. “Through our work at Headlands Research Detroit, I’m excited to advance the clinical trial process and bring innovative and promising treatments to the people who need them most.”
For more information, visit headlandsresearch.com.
Public invited to March 29 Spring Career Fair at Washtenaw Community College
Job seekers are invited to Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor when it hosts its annual Spring Career Fair March 29.
More than 70 employers will attend the fair, with many organizations looking to hire for immediate job opportunities.
The event, which is free and open to the public and students, will run from 4-6 p.m. in the Morris Lawrence Building on the WCC campus, 4800 E. Huron River Dr.
Employers will represent the automotive, advanced manufacturing, banking/mortgage, computer science, education/childcare, engineering, health care, IT, government, manufacturing, welding/fabrication, and other sectors. Full-time, part-time, and internship positions are open.
Attendees are encouraged to check the career fair webpage for the complete list of companies. The list will be updated regularly.
The college also will offer virtual opportunities for students and community members interested in preparing to meet employers. Workshops are:
- “Get Your Resume Ready” — Noon-1 p.m. Friday, March 24, and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, March 28.
- “Navigate a Career Fair Like a Pro” — Noon-1 p.m. Monday, March 27.
- “Effective Conversation Starters” — Noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.
Community members can register for the fair here. WCC students and alumni can register here.
