Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
KSI Kitchen & Bath Establishes Headquarters in Wixom
KSI Kitchen & Bath, a design and remodeling firm in Wixom, has moved into a new corporate headquarters and warehouse facility, invested in new technology, and joined KBx, the largest association of cabinet dealer-distributors in the country.
After nearly 50 years in Brighton, KSI has moved its corporate headquarters to a facility in Wixom that features a new, state-of-the-art conveyor system as well as dedicated areas for receiving, cabinet assembly, and service. The new office features multiple conference areas and a Builder Showcase, which allows KSI to host customers in an inviting meeting space for product comparisons and selections.
“We’re very excited about all that our new corporate headquarters offers our customers, employees and vendors,” says Tony Achatz, CEO of KSI. “The new Builder Showcase underscores our commitment to the building community of southeast Michigan, while our new office and warehouse space is designed to foster greater collaboration across our corporate team.”
Along with the new facility, KSI is modernizing its operations with the implementation of a new NetSuite ERP system.
“By replacing legacy systems with an enterprise level business management software, we can leverage new barcode scanning and logistical routing technologies to increase efficiencies across our warehouse operations,” says Craig McGregor, CFO of KSI. “These investments provide scalability that lays the groundwork for future growth.”
In addition to these capital investments, KSI announced its affiliation with KBx, the network of independent cabinet dealer-distributors.
Guidepoint Systems Delivers Solution for 3G Sunsetting Issue
Guidepoint Systems, a Detroit-based provider of telematics to the auto industry, announced today it has taken steps to ensure a continuation of telematic services for vehicle owners who will lose service due to the sunsetting of 3G wireless networks.
On Feb. 22, AT&T will be the first telecommunications company in the United States to discontinue operation of its 3G wireless service, effectively terminating functionality for older mobile transmission devices that are not compatible with 4G LTE or 5G technologies. Two other leading telecommunications companies — Verizon and T-Mobile — also have plans to discontinue their 3G networks later this year.
“This is a technology challenge that Guidepoint Systems is currently resolving for our corporate and government customers in the US and around the world,” says Samuel Spencer, CEO of Guidepoint Systems. “And because we planned for this wireless service issue, we overcame supply chain challenges and stockpiled LTE 4G devices ranging from simple two-wire to OBD and everything in between. Our OBD devices can be easily installed in almost any vehicle to replace the older 3G devices.”
Guidepoint has business partnerships with auto dealer groups across the nation, and its devices and services are utilized by several OEMs including Stellantis, Volkswagen/Dealerware, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, General Motors Co., Mitsubishi, Ford Motor Co., BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, and several other companies.
“As a tech innovation company, we feel it’s our responsibility to meet our customers’ needs, whether they be manufacturers, dealers, rental car companies, fleet managers or vehicle owners, regardless of regulatory or industry changes,” Spencer says. “This wireless network transition will be a big service challenge for some of those customers — but Guidepoint Systems has the hardware and software knowledge to solve their service issue.”
Auto dealers, vehicle owners, fleet managers and customers who have soon-to-be obsolete 3G devices should first contact their vehicle telematics provider to determine what actions are necessary to maintain their service. If the provider is not able or willing to upgrade their device before the Feb. 22, deadline, Guidepoint Systems has a solution for those dealers and vehicle owners. For information, email 3gsupport@guidepointsystems.com.
Novi-based Better Health Market & Café Opens Dearborn Store
Better Health Market & Café, based in Novi, has opened a new store at 22250 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. It is the 14th location for the company
The new Better Health Market & Café offers customers an organic offering including the area’s largest vitamin and supplement department, onsite nutrition experts, an expanded gourmet Prepared Foods department, and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. It replaces Better Health store on Telegraph Road.
In addition to organic produce and natural foods, supplements, a full frozen food section, bulk foods, beer and wine, and its juice and coffee bar, the 1,5000-square-foot store has a full kitchen to produce made to order and prepared foods perfect for aimed for larger events including family holidays and corporate breakfasts and luncheons.
“We are excited to open this new location in walkable, downtown west Dearborn to offer even more Dearborn residents and employees in the city, a larger selection of fresh prepared foods and products to help them live a healthier lifestyle,” says Tedd Handelsman, founder and president of Better Health Store.
“Our family legacy is focused on creating stores that are judgement-free — to help Michigan become a healthier state. The creation of this store does just that with our mission that shoppers in our stores don’t need to read the labels to avoid harmful ingredients, because we do it for them. We simply don’t let products with known harmful ingredients on our shelves.”
The café incorporates instore and online ordering and on-the-go customers items including sandwiches, wraps and burgers; freshly made smoothies and its juices and coffees; vegetarian and vegan options; soups and an organic salad bar.
For more information, visit here.
M1 Concourse Announces Winter Blast Specials at Event Center
Officials at M1 Concours in Pontiac are offering Winter Blast Perks at its new state-of-the-art Event Center for groups and organizations looking for event space in early 2022.
Billed as the “ultimate automotive experiential marketing and entertainment destination,” the center offers 28,500 square feet of flexible indoor spaces, plus numerous outdoor options that include the adjacent Champion Motor Speedway.
Those booking an event at M1’s new Event Center can choose three of the following Winter Blast Perks:
- Race the track on simulators
- Custom digital marquee welcome
- Additional hour of upgraded beverage service
- Lighting enhancement package
- M1 memorabilia gift bag
To qualify for Winter Blast Perks, bookings must be made by Feb. 19, for events occurring by April 15 with a minimum 100 guests. They must be new bookings and cannot be combined with other promotions. To book an event and get more information, contact M1 Concourse at events@m1concourse.com and by phoning Bruce Rothschild, director of event sales, at 773-213-5842.
The facility was designed for maximum flexibility, making it a consideration for corporate events from product launches, activations, photo shoots, and trade shows to conventions, experiential events and a variety of automotive and technology expositions and vehicle launches that can utilize the custom floors designed to support the weight of vehicles and crews.
Customization is key for any event in 2022 and M1’s Event Center is designed for that. Technology such as live streaming make it great for hybrid events. Spaces are scalable with walls that open onto two outdoor patios with fire pits and views of the track.
Detroit City Distillery’s Pączki Day Vodka Returns Feb. 11
Detroit City Distillery’s limited-edition Pączki Day Vodka will return with sales starting online at 8 a.m. on Feb. 11.
The spirit is distilled with fresh-baked raspberry pączki from the family-owned New Palace Bakery of Hamtramck. Last year, the distillery sold out of 4,200 bottles online in just 22 minutes, while many liquor stores sold out as soon as it hit the shelves.
“The level of excitement and demand for this product never ceases to amaze me,” says Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “It’s always a huge challenge to work around the clock to try to make enough, but we have so much fun doing it. Due to requests already pouring in, we anticipate yet another fast sellout in 2022.”
The vodka started as an experiment making 20 bottles for distiller Steve Orzechowski’s family and friends five years ago.
“When I first made Pączki Day Vodka, my goal was to capture the essence of the Hamtramck’s Pączki Day party in a bottle,” Orzechowski says. “Now, PDV has become part of people’s Pączki Day tradition. It’s an honor to make something we can all be proud of that celebrates our Polish community.”
To order online, visit here.
SUBTA Announces New Speakers, Return of the Hosted Buyer Program for SubSummit
SUBTA, the Troy-based Subscription Trade Association, announced the second round of SubSummit 2022 speakers and details for its Hosted Buyer Program.
The Hosted Buyers Program is an incentive and networking opportunity that facilitates one-on-one meetings between merchants and suppliers to foster growth, discuss services, and more. Applicants who qualify, apply here, will earn a free in-person SubSummit 2022 ticket.
The world’s largest DTC subscription conference will bring together thought leaders, merchants, suppliers, and industry experts June 1-3 in Orlando, Fla.
Speakers presenting at SubSummit 2022 include:
- Anthony Napolitano, owner of Triple C Consulting
- Jacob Brown, executive vice president of Element5 Digital
- Kimberly Lewis, co-founder and CEO of CurlMix, Inc.
- Lindsey Palmer, founder of Palmer Public Inc.
- Luke Maroney, president of Lucky Box Club
“What started as an event with 170 attendees and 15 speakers in 2017 has since grown exponentially with us now having close to 1,000 attendees and more than 70 speakers,” says Chris George, co-founder and chairman of SUBTA. “This conference provides subscription entrepreneurs from all walks of life with the tools, the support, and the knowledge to succeed in this industry. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so far and thrilled about the impact SubSummit 2022 will have on this year’s attendees.”
For more information on SUBTA, visit SUBTA.com. Tickets are available here. To become a sponsor, visit here.
WCC Women’s Council Virtual Event Slated for Jan. 27
The community is invited to attend a virtual event from 5-6 p.m. on Jan. 27 focused on supporting Ann Arbor’s Washtenaw Community College students through their educational and career journeys.
The WCC Foundation Women’s Council-sponsored event is titled “Lift H.E.R. Up, A Virtual Conversation.” The H.E.R. stands for higher education resources.
Representatives from businesses, education, not-for-profit organizations, and other interested individuals, will learn how WCC is helping students, especially women, to be successful. Register for free here.
Kimberly Hurns, WCC executive vice president of instruction and academic affairs, will deliver the keynote address. Hurns is immediate-past state chair of the Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network and is currently a fellow with the Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents program.
The event will also feature remarks from Meredith Miller, chair of the WCC Women’s Council;
Eileen Thacker, past chair; Kia Sweeney, council member, and Amy Ramirez-Gay, a member of the WCC faculty.
For more information, visit here.
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