DBusiness Daily Update: Sharrow Propeller Named to Time’s Best Inventions of 2023 List, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies.
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Sharrow propeller
Time magazine has selected the Sharrow MX Propeller from Sharrow Marine in St. Clair Shores as one of 2023’s Best Inventions. // Photo courtesy of Sharrow Marine

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.

Sharrow Propeller Named to Time’s Best Inventions of 2023 List

Time magazine has selected the Sharrow MX Propeller, from Sharrow Marine in St. Clair Shores, as one of 2023’s Best Inventions.

The Sharrow MX Propeller was hailed by the magazine as “80 percent quieter than competitors, making it less disruptive to wildlife, and its looping design makes it up to 30 percent more efficient than standard boat propellers.”

Invented by Greg Sharrow, propeller offers “significant” design improvements over conventional propellers and is recognized as the first major advancement in propeller technology since the 1830s. Its loop-shaped design solves the most basic problem of rotary propulsion, eliminating or substantially reducing tip vortices and cavitation, the company says. The gains maximize efficiency, sustainability, and performance while minimizing noise.

“We are thrilled to be one of the recipients of Time’s Best Inventions of 2023,” Sharrow says. “It’s a testament to our incredibly talented, dedicated, and innovative team.

“This is an exciting moment for our company, as we continue to grow rapidly within the marine industry and expand the Sharrow Propeller technology to other industries like the aviation, industrial, and energy sectors. It is an absolute honor to have our hard work recognized by such an icon as Time.”

For more information, visit here.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Launches Comprehensive Cancer Support Program

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is adding Cancer Support through OncoHealth’s virtual platform, Iris, to its portfolio of cancer care solutions.

Members with a cancer diagnosis, and their caregivers, will have immediate access to educational resources, clinical oncology expertise, mental health support, and a network of peer mentors. The program complements and works in coordination with the treatment they’re receiving from their physicians.

The program offers several features including:

  • 24/7 access to US-based oncology nurses via chat, phone, or video to ask questions related to symptoms and side effects and get immediate guidance and support.
  • Mental health appointments with licensed therapists who specialize in working with members and families dealing with cancer.
  • Oncology nutrition support from registered dietitians and nutritionists.
  • Advice and support from peer mentors who have been in similar situations.
  • A digital tracker for recording goals and side effects.
  • Resource navigation for help addressing the financial and social barriers to treatment.
  • Clinically approved articles, videos, webinars (live and recorded) pertaining to specific cancer types, treatments, side effects and procedures.

“Throughout our lives, cancer is likely to impact each of us in some way, whether it be a personal diagnosis, or that of a friend, colleague or loved one,” says Dr. James Grant, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “It can be extremely difficult to navigate the complex feelings and treatments associated with cancer.

“Blue Cross’ Cancer Support program applies a whole-person health approach to taking care of each member who is impacted in some way by cancer. Members can also find peer support or knowledgeable professionals to talk with any time through the platform. By getting information and support when and where they need it, our members and their families will experience less of a toll on their emotional and physical wellbeing.”

Cancer Support can be used by members who are survivors, newly diagnosed, or in treatment. A caregiver also can use the program on behalf of the patient. Participants will receive full access to the Iris platform features at no cost.

The Cancer Support program will be automatically added to individual and fully insured Blue Cross PPO and HMO health plans and will be live Jan. 1, 2024. Self-funded employers can add Cancer Support to their health plan for their employees at any time during the year with a 90-day implementation lead time.

For more information, visit here.

Roseville’s Ultimation Industries Introduces New Line of Heavy-duty Conveyors

Ultimation Industries in Roseville is adding a line of heavy-duty chain-driven live roller (CDLR) conveyors to its online store portfolio.

Ultimation, a leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer, says it specializes in solving productivity challenges with fast-to-deploy solutions for a broad range of end-markets, including energy, automotive, logistics, and vertical farming.

“Heavy-duty material handling solutions such as CDLRs typically require specialized engineering expertise to configure and long lead times for delivery,” says Kali Wahrman, general manager for Ultimation. “Our new quick-ship CDLR offering makes nearly a dozen of the most popular and versatile configurations accessible through on-line ordering with faster delivery times.”

Chain driven live roller conveyor systems are designed to be rugged and durable, suited to many items that wouldn’t typically be conveyed on a roller conveyor such as pallets, racks, or industrial containers.

The sprocketed rollers and roll-to-roll chain system provide power to drive the product forward. Multiple lengths and configurations make the CDLR a versatile conveyor that can be used in a variety of industrial and commercial environments, including warehouses, automotive plants, and distribution centers. The chain design is also suitable for oily conditions or for moving product through high temperature zones, such as ovens, which can’t be serviced by other types of conveyors.

For more information, ultimationinc.com.

Survey: Credit Crunch is Hindering Growth of Small Businesses

A credit crunch has descended upon small business owners nationwide hindering their growth and causing some to say that if it continues, they’ll be forced to close altogether, according to a new nationwide survey from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices.

The study shows 78 percent of small business owners are concerned about their ability to access capital and 29 percent say they can’t afford to take out a loan given current interest rates.

Eighty-five percent say if access to capital continues to tighten it will impact their growth forecast. Of those that say their growth forecast will be impacted, 67 percent will halt expansion plans if credit continues to tighten, and, alarmingly, 21% would close their business if the credit market continues on this trajectory.

The access to capital challenges are more stark for minority-owned businesses. Black small business owners have a higher application rate for business loans or lines of credit but have a much lower rate of receiving the full funding requested compared to their white peers.

While 43 percent of Black business owners have applied for a loan or line of credit in the past year (versus 30 percent of White small business owners), only 26 percent reported receiving all of the funding they requested (versus 51 percent of White small business owners).

While 78 percent of all small business owners said it was difficult to access capital, the challenge is more pronounced among minority small business owners. Eighty-one percent of Hispanic small business owners and 85 percent of Black small business owners are concerned about their ability to access capital.

On top of being deeply concerned about their ability to access capital, small business owners are concerned about the overall business climate and the state of the U.S. economy:

  • Thinking about the past four years, nearly a third (31 percent) say 2023 has been the most difficult year for business. Only 6 percent more said 2020’s pandemic year was more difficult (37 percent).
  • 33 percent of small business owners applied for a new business loan or line of credit in the past year, with 65 percent of those who have applied stating they found it difficult to access affordable capital
  • 64 percent of small business owners have outstanding loans and/or lines of credit. Of those, 35 percent have a variable interest rate. 88 percent of those with variable interest rates have seen their interest rates increase, with 58 percent saying the increase has been between 3-10 percent.
  • Compared to three months ago, 46 percent believe the economy has gotten worse.

The full survey results can be viewed here.

Driver Technologies, Kiefer Foundation Partner to Raise Awareness of Distracted Driving

Driver Technologies Inc., an AI-based mobility tech company in New York, and The Kiefer Foundation in Plymouth Township announced partnership to implement hands-free mobility technology solutions to combat distracted driving to comply with recent Michigan distracted driving laws.

Starting this month, The Kiefer Foundation will sponsor the purchase of Driver’s phone mounts to support recent Michigan laws that require drivers to be hands-free when operating a vehicle. Driver Technologies and The Kiefer Foundation will co-brand the phone mounts with the “Just Drive” campaign logo and will coordinate with various organizations to disperse them to drivers throughout the state.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with The Kiefer Foundation as we are on a mission to team up with organizations that promote distracted driving awareness as we continue our mission to make driving safer and smarter for all via mobility technology,” says Marcus Newbury, co-founder and COO of Driver Technologies. “With the new Just Drive mounts, drivers will be encouraged to go hands-free to comply with new state laws to help get to their next destination safely.”

In June, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a distracted driving bill into law that says texting, watching media, and handheld talking on the phone are illegal across the state. Twenty-nine states have now implemented this life saving legislation.

One of the three main pillars at The Kiefer Foundation is to encourage the use of distraction-reducing automotive technology like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other safe driver apps to promote hands-free driving. Driver Technologies’ No. 1 rated Driver app transforms a driver’s phone into a dash cam with safety alerts designed to improve road safety and make mobility technology more accessible.

“During our campaign to pass hands free legislation in Michigan, The Kiefer Foundation made the offer to provide free cell phone mounts to anyone that needs them — we want to help as many drivers as possible comply with these new laws,” says Steve Kiefer, chairman of The Kiefer Foundation. “We are so pleased to partner with Driver Technologies to produce and distribute the Just Drive phone mounts. Our message is simple, when you are behind the wheel, put your phones down and #JustDrive — it’s the law.”

Anyone in need of a phone mount can visit mkiefer.org.

For more information about Driver Technologies, please download the Driver App (Apple or Android app store) or visit drivertechnologies.com.

Domino’s Giving $1M Worth of Pizzas to Customers with Resuming Student Loan Payments

As part of its Emergency Pizza promotion, Ann Arbor-based Domino’s Pizza Inc. is giving away $1 million worth of free pizzas to anyone with student loan payments.

“Student loan payments have resumed for millions of Americans, and we wanted to help in our own little way by using the power of pizza to do something nice for our customers,” says Kate Trumbull, senior vice president and chief brand officer at Domino’s. “When life gives you loans, Domino’s gives you free pizza.”

Domino’s Emergency Pizzas for Student Loans program is a new extension of Domino’s Emergency Pizzas program. It gives customers who still have student loan payments the chance to apply for one free medium two-topping pizza, while supplies last (in addition to earning a free Emergency Pizza). Starting on Oct. 25, Domino’s will give away a limited number of free Emergency Pizza for Student Loans codes each day, until all $1 million worth of free pizza codes have been claimed.

To apply, visit here.

Gravity Software in Detroit Unveils AI Tech Powered by Microsoft’s Cognitive Services AI Engine

Gravity Software in Detroit is introducing new AI technology to transform accounts payable processes.

The solution uses the Microsoft Cognitive Services AI engine to convert PDFs of vendor bills into Gravity Vouchers, reducing the need for manual data entry or corrections.

Accounts payable departments spend more than one-third of their time on manual vendor bill data entry within their accounting systems, with additional valuable time allocated to obtaining management approvals for timely bill payments. By integrating Microsoft’s Power Automate workflow engine for approvals with its AI-driven data entry capabilities, Gravity substantially boosts the operational efficiency of accounts payable departments.

One of the features of Gravity’s enhanced solution is the provision of a dedicated email address for vendors to conveniently submit invoices. This not only simplifies the invoice submission process but also ensures a smooth and efficient transition to the Gravity Voucher system. Users can review and make any necessary adjustments to the extracted data, ensuring precision and accuracy at every step.

“This is a significant milestone in our mission to elevate financial operations for small to medium-sized businesses,” says John Silvani, president and CEO of Gravity Software. “Accounts payable is a predominantly manual and time-consuming process for many accounting teams, making it susceptible to human error. By harnessing Microsoft’s advanced AI capabilities, we take pride in offering a solution that not only enhances accuracy and efficiency but also drastically reduces manual intervention and the risk of human errors.”

Key benefits of Gravity’s Accounts Payable Automation with AI technology include:

  • Enhanced Accuracy — Microsoft’s Cognitive Services AI engine ensures remarkably accurate data extraction, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual data entry.
  • Cost-Effectiveness — By minimizing the need for manual data input or corrections, organizations can significantly reduce labor costs and enhance overall cost-effectiveness.
  • Efficiency — The streamlined process enables finance teams to process invoices swiftly, improving overall efficiency and freeing up time for more strategic tasks.
  • Transparency — Precise vouchers generated at the click of a button ensure transparency and compliance in the AP process.

Pink Fund’s Eyes Up Here Campaign Wraps Detroit People Mover

The Detroit People Mover takes on a more meaningful look this month as it is wrapped in pink throughout October.

The transit system will use its elevated route to display the Pink Fund’s campaign, “Eyes Up Here” as its first-ever public service ad message. Reproduced on a People Mover train, the visuals highlight women who are breast cancer survivors, including those who received financial support from Pink Fund.

A number of the survivors were photographed with their portraits on the train during the 11 a.m. kickoff on Oct. 12. The People Mover partnered with Priority Waste to offer free fares all day to help drive interest regarding assistance for critical life expenses, reduced incomes, or lost wages.

The national Eyes Up Here campaign, which launched in Spring of 2023, includes imagery of real breast cancer patients and survivors who have received assistance from Pink Fund and experienced the financial burden of this disease first-hand.

Opus IVS in Detroit Launches MAP for ADAS Diagnostics and Calibration

Detroit-based automotive diagnostics software company Opus IVS is introducing ADAS Map, deigned to revolutionize the way the automotive industry approaches Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) diagnostics and calibrations.

ADAS Map is a comprehensive software platform designed to identify ADAS systems, their components, precise component locations, necessary calibrations, and the underlying reasons for these calibrations.

This technology automatically reviews CCC or Mitchell estimates and provides a detailed presentation of a specific vehicle’s ADAS requirements. Seamlessly integrated with CCC, Mitchell, Opus IVS DriveSafe, and the Opus IVS CoPilot platforms, ADAS Map streamlines the entire calibration process with unprecedented efficiency.

One of the key features of ADAS Map is its automated reporting system, which swiftly places pertinent information in the CCC attachments tab, ensuring a seamless workflow. Additionally, the integration with Alldata further solidifies ADAS Map as the ultimate go-to solution for comprehensive automotive diagnostic and calibration needs.

The benefits of ADAS Map include improved accuracy in estimating and repair planning, coupled with a significant reduction in ADAS calibration research time, which empowers technicians to focus on providing service to their customers.

Opus IVS also has introduced the Remote, Mobile, and Calibration CoPilot platforms, which integrates scheduling, dispatching, documentation, communications, invoicing, and more.

ACG Detroit to Host ‘Surviving & Thriving: Crisis Management in the Age of Cancel Culture’

ACG Detroit will host “Surviving & Thriving: Crisis Management in the Age of Cancel Culture” from 8-10 a.m. Nov. 15 at the Birmingham Community House.

Carrie Schochet, founder and CEO of Purple Squirrel Advisors, will be joined by two-time TEDx speaker and best-selling author Evan Nierman, founder and CEO of Red Banyan, to discuss how businesses and personal brands can arm themselves with the knowledge and strategies to fight the tides of cancel culture and online crises.

Ticket prices are as follows—members: $65, non-members: $85. For more information and to register, visit here.

National Defense Consortium Pledges $125,000 to Local Veterans Organization

The National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC), one of the longest-serving Department of Defense (DoD) consortiums, has announced a five-year partnership with Fisher House Michigan to support both the Ann Arbor Fisher House and a soon-to-be-second location in Detroit.

NAMC has pledged $125,000 to be distributed annually for five years to support veterans and their families with lodging and transportation. Fisher House has been a champion in supporting military families in need for over three decades. The program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket expenses.

“We are dedicated to assisting families and veterans in our community through our partnership with Fisher House Michigan,” says Alissa Roth, executive director of NAMC. “Our two organizations hold the same values of providing our military with much-needed support once they return home. We want to support our heroes and their families at every step of their journey.”

Since inception, Fisher House Michigan has hosted more than 7,300 military family members and veterans from Michigan, over 19 states, and two countries. The VA Ann Arbor Fisher House is the first to be built in the state, serving as a home away from home. The organization is currently fundraising for the VA Detroit Fisher House, a second property with 20-suites for those needing support.

For more information, visit NAMConsortium.org and FisherHouseMichigan.org.

All Four One to Host Bowl-A-Thon Holiday Harvest Toy Drive Fundraiser Dec. 9

All Four One will be hosting a Bowl-A-Thon Holiday Harvest Toy Drive Fundraiser at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Mayflower Lanes (26600 Plymouth Road) in Redford Township.

All Proceeds will be donated to the Adopt-A-School and Holiday Harvest Toy Drive. There will be prizes, raffles, and a silent auction.

The goal of the event is to raise $5,000 for new toys to serve children facing illnesses such as sickle cell, cancer, and other critical medical turmoil and financial dilemmas in the upcoming holiday season.

The All Four One encourages individuals and teams to participate in the Bowl-A-Thon.

For more information, visit here.

The Highlands in Harbor Springs Set to Debut Midwest’s First Six-Person Bubble Lift

The Highlands in Harbor Springs is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary and debut Camelot 6, a six-person, high-speed Doppelmayr D-Line bubble chairlift, a first in the Midwest.

Formerly Boyne Highlands, the resort has invested significantly in snowmaking upgrades, expanded night skiing, and has several new dining options for the 2023-24 season.

Camelot 6, expected to open in early December, offers guests comfort, speed, energy efficiency, and safety. Passengers can ride in ultra-comfort thanks to the D-Line’s heated, extra wide, ergonomically designed seats with footrests. A tinted, weatherproof bubble keeps riders warm and protected from elements while being whisked up the slopes at 6 meters per second. It also boasts advanced safety features like the first fully automatic safety bar system in the U.S., including auto closing and auto opening mechanisms, plus auto locking, and a height-adjustable loading carpet conveyor, ideal for kids.

New this year, head to the slopes midweek for Slopes after Sundown available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. Night skiing tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for youth and seniors.  Add rental equipment for only $5 more.  The Highlands has added lights to four additional trails — North and South Tournament, Camelot Bowl, and Valley View — for a total of 326 acres of night skiing terrain.

Snowmaking upgrades have taken place from the top of Heather to the Tournament region, encompassing MacGully, Rob Roy, Leprechaun, and the top of Camelot. The upgrades include eight carriage SMI Super PoleCats and two Super PoleCat towers, plus two miles of new air and water lines, along with snowmaking vaults for the hydrants and electrical system, and new electrical wiring. The SMI Super PoleCat snowmakers excel in all temperature conditions, and have a throw of 150 feet and oscillators allowing for greater snowmaking coverage in a shorter amount of time.

For fans of cross-country skiing, a new Pisen Bully 100 Cross Country groomer provides added consistency and the ability to expand Nordic trails for skate and double track skiing this winter.

The Funland terrain park is shifting to the north side of upper Camelot and expanding to include more beginner features. NASTAR also is relocating to the south where the perfect playful pitch adds excitement for all skiing levels.

Rounding out the on slope moves, a new glade area on the south end offers open tree skiing and an intermediate pitch ending at the Valley runs.

Guests to The Highlands this winter can experience myriad new dining offerings from a new Waffle Cabin on the slopes, to a pop-up chophouse restaurant at the Country Club of Boyne, and a Mexican twist at the Zoo Bar. Resort favorites like the loaded grilled cheese at North Peak returns this winter and added outdoor bars throughout the base area allow for plenty of mingling.

The food court is getting revamped, plus adding a sushi bar. The resort also plans to offer a prime rib buffet on Friday and Saturday nights, along with select holiday dates, in the Main Dining Room, and the mountaintop experience, Aonach Mor Moonlight Dinner has added special occasion dates.

For lodging reservations, lift tickets, season passes, activities, and event information, visit highlandsharborsprings.com or call 888-436-2296.