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.
Pennsylvania’s Wolf Home Products to Expand Offerings into Michigan
Wolf Home Products, a Pennsylvania-based supplier of building products industry, announced that it is expanding its distribution reach to service the building product dealers in Michigan, effective immediately.
Michigan dealers will be serviced out of Wolf Home Products’ state-of-the-art, 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Wilmington, Ill. This expansion is designed to deepen Wolf Home Products’ roots within the region.
Dealers in the Michigan market now have access to Wolf Home Products’ expansive building products portfolio, including:
- Wolf trim
- Wolf moldings
- Wolf railing
- Wolf serenity porch
- Wolf perspective decking
- Fiberon decking and railing
- Benjamin Obdyke
- UFP-Edge
- Key-Link
- Fasteners
“We’re thrilled to expand our geographical reach to service dealers in Michigan, empowering building professionals with access to our exceptional products and support,” says Jeremy Sellers, senior vice president of sales at Wolf Home Products, “This expansion provides dealers a wider range of product choices with a streamlined ordering and delivery process to facilitate business growth.”
In addition to its comprehensive portfolio, Wolf Home Products also brings a team of experienced, knowledgeable professionals who will provide continued support and service to the Michigan market.
For more information, visit WolfHomeProducts.com.
Sterling Heights IT Firm Centaris Acquires Network Connections in Clinton Township
Sterling Heights IT solution provider Centaris has expanded its capabilities with the acquisition of Clinton Township-based Network Connections Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Centaris, which serves more than 1,500 businesses nationwide, made the acquisition official this month. Network Connections was founded in 1991 and today serves a wide range of IT clients in health care, manufacturing, education, retail, and finance.
“We’re thrilled to be joining Centaris,” says Paul Licari, CEO of Network Connections. “This is a great opportunity for me and the dedicated employees at Network Connections. Teaming up with Centaris helps expand our capabilities and brings enhanced services to our clients. I’m looking forward to this new journey together.”
Curtis Hicks, president and CEO of Centaris, says, “We are excited to announce Network Connections, Inc. as the latest addition to our organization. This company is a testament to the remarkable vision and leadership of Paul Licari. His 33 years of invaluable experience in the industry will be a significant asset to the Centaris team.”
Stellantis Marks a Year of Advances in Mobilisights’ Mobility Data
Mobilisights, Stellantis data company with exclusive access to embedded data telematics from 14 automotive brands, has created what it calls innovative solutions and secured strategic agreements in the year since it was created.
In terms of product assessment, Mobilisights has developed or evolved five major data packages to meet the needs of its clients. It has created evolving data packages for fleets for clients in Europe and North America, as well as data packages to develop customized insurance offers, and finally a data streaming offer to manage the charging of electric vehicles efficiently.
All these solutions enable Mobilisights to address numerous use cases for rental companies, telematic service providers or EV partners, giving value to everyone on the road.
Rental companies benefit from Mobilisights’ seamless fleet management solutions, controlling fuel management and optimizing their operations with real-time data, crucial for enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Telematic service providers use Mobilisights’ robust data streams to improve fleet management. With access to granular vehicle data, these providers have transformed the way fleets operate, ensuring efficiency, safety, and sustainability are at the core of their services.
Real-time data from connected vehicles, like odometer and acceleration, enables insurance companies to offer personalized products, rewarding safe driving. This driver data, with consent, is analyzed to create offers based on driving style, enriching vehicle ownership with Mobilisights’ data.
Mobilisights’ data also empowers businesses to develop intuitive applications for electric vehicle owners, simplifying the management of EV logistics from charging to cost tracking, all while enhancing the user’s experience.
Mobilisights is actively working on providing anonymized data contributions, which are crucial in enhancing transportation infrastructure. This effort is aimed at creating safer roads and more adaptive traffic systems, ultimately benefiting all road users.
“We’ve translated data into progress, enabling a more connected world, and our journey is just starting,” says Sanjiv Ghate, CEO of Mobilisights. “I have seen the impact we have been able to achieve with our customers in creating a safer and more efficient ecosystem. We’re not just moving, we’re leading the way for a smarter world together and pioneering the future of mobility, one data point at a time.”
Trinity Health of New England Enacts Partnership to Expand Network
Trinity Health of New England, part of Livonia-based Trinity Health, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut announced today a new, multi-year provider network agreement. The agreement secures long-term access to affordable health care for Trinity Health patients covered by Anthem health plans.
As part of the agreement, the two organizations will accelerate their collaboration on several initiatives, including advance data connectivity and value-based care (VBC) models designed to improve health outcomes and better control costs for care for Trinity Health patients covered by Anthem health plans.
Trinity Health and Anthem will incorporate Epic Payer Platform into regular operations, a technology that will streamline secure patient data flow between the organizations, bolster operational efficiency, accelerate approval processes, and improve patient outcomes. The platform’s Clinical Data Exchange simplifies processes and reduces the administrative burden for medical teams, allowing doctors to spend less time doing paperwork and more time treating patients.
Michigan Crunch Franchisee Partners with New York Investor to Spur Growth
Primetime Fitness, one of Michigan’s leading Crunch Fitness franchise development groups, is partnering with New York’s CapitalSpring, a specialist investor in multi-location businesses.
“We are very excited to welcome CapitalSpring into the network,” says Ben Midgley, CEO of Crunch Franchising. “They are a highly accomplished firm with extensive expertise in franchising. Their partnership with Primetime Fitness will certainly be successful.”
Primetime Fitness currently operates nine Crunch clubs across the Detroit metro area and Lansing, with plans to grow existing gyms and open between 50 and 75 new locations through acquisitions and organic growth.
“We’re incredibly excited to be working with a sponsor that possesses the multi-unit experience that CapitalSpring provides,” says Kevin Laferriere, CEO of Primetime Fitness. “Their proven track record of scaling franchise platforms like Crunch Fitness was a key factor in ultimately selecting them as our equity partner.
“The future of Primetime Fitness and our vision of rapid, disciplined growth is in complete alignment with their ethos. Most importantly, our shared and common cultural values will allow our company, team, and members to realize their full potential.”
SMART Calls for Community Input as it Plans for Future
The SMARTer Mobility Program, a public engagement initiative by SMART, is embarking on an inclusive journey to revamp transportation services, bridge gaps in accessibility, and reach communities that traditional routes may overlook.
SMART is hosting a series of public meetings, both in-person and online, inviting riders from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties to share their insights. These meetings aim to understand riders’ destinations, preferences, and priorities — inputs that will shape SMART’s future service enhancements.
The meeting schedule follows.
In-Person Meetings:
- 23 at 6 p.m. – Richmond Community Center
- 24 at 6:30 p.m. – Novi Public Library
- 25 at 6 p.m. – Henry Ford College
- 5 at 6 p.m. – SMART Royal Oak Transit Center
- 6 at 6 p.m. – Redeemer United Methodist Church
- 7 at 6 p.m. – Macomb Community College
- 8 at 6:30 p.m. – Bloomfield Township Public Library
Online Zoom Meetings:
- 16 at 6 p.m.
- 17 at 1:30 p.m.
- 29 at 11:30 a.m.
- 1 at 6 p.m.
All riders and community members are encouraged to participate and contribute to this initiative. Registration is required for online Zoom meetings, but not for in-person meetings. For more information and Zoom registrations, visit smarter-mobility.org.
Dunamis Charge in Detroit Enters into Alliance with Europe’s EcoG
Dunamis Charge Inc., an emerging manufacturer of intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions in Detroit, has entered into an alliance with EcoG, which specializes in DC charging stations, to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment schedule of its DC fast charging stations.
By combining the expertise and resources of EcoG with the local manufacturing and engineering capabilities of Dunamis Charge, this alliance will be able to fully capitalize on the booming market for DC fast charging stations.
EcoG is seeking to expand rapidly in the United States after solidifying its leadership position in the European market for EV charging technology.
Oxford Bank Opens New Customer Experience Center in Ann Arbor
Oxford Bank Corp., the holding company for Oxford Bank, recently opened a new 3,600-square-foot customer experience center located at 3645 Jackson Road, a few miles west of downtown Ann Arbor and University of Michigan.
The Ann Arbor location will be home to Oxford Bank’s business banking officers, as well as its residential mortgage operations. It provides a convenient place for Oxford Bank customers in surrounding areas to engage with bank experts by appointment. The new location also offers an ITM (interactive teller machine) that not only supports ATM services but enables bank customers to speak directly with a bank representative via video to open accounts, order replacement cards, and get cashier’s checks.
“We’ve incorporated the latest in comfort, convenience, and technology to address our team members’ and customers’ needs for an enhanced banking experience in our new Ann Arbor branch,” says David Lamb, president and CEO of Oxford Bank. “From meeting directly with our knowledgeable experts to gaining efficiencies from the latest technologies, including our convenient ITMs that also offer the value of human connection if desired, we make it easier than ever for customers to bank in the ways that work best for them.”
Peter Schork, president of Oxford Bank Ann Arbor, noted, “We are located in one of the key Ann Arbor small and mid-size business areas, which is so convenient for our current and new customers.”
