DBusiness Daily Update: Stellantis’ Free2Move Mobility Brand Reveals New ‘Move with Your Time’ Signature, and More

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.
512
Free2Move, Stellantis’ mobility brand, has introduced a new identity. // Courtesy of Stellantis
Free2Move, Stellantis’ mobility brand, has introduced a new identity. // Courtesy of Stellantis

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.

Stellantis’ Free2Move Mobility Brand Reveals New ‘Move with Your Time’ Signature

The Free2Move brand of Auburn Hills’ Stellantis has deployed a new brand signature, “Move with Your Time,” an identity reflecting its goal to “simply mobility for all its customers.”

This new take on brand identity embraces the concept of the Mobility Hub, the company says, highlighted by the circles in the Free2Move logo. At the same time, it is designed to give a new dynamic to the brand and clarifies the three customer universes by taking into account the changing mobility needs.

The green is used to symbolize the growing importance of sustainable mobility and the transition to electric cars. It comes to enrich the already existing gradient representing both professional and private customers.

“I am delighted to reveal this new identity and positioning for our brand,” says Philippe Brun, director of global marketing and communication at Free2Move. “It reflects both who we are today and who we aspire to be tomorrow. Positive and optimistic, Free2Move aims to embody a brand resolutely focused on the mobility of its customers. It is reaffirming its position as the leader in the digital transformation of the mobility sector, creating sustainable value for all.”

This new identity, Brun adds, further reinforces the “tech-focused” and “user centric” values embraced by Free2Move and keeps its promise to simplify mobility for its customers.

Detroit Casinos Report $114.1M in October Revenue

The three Detroit casinos reported $114.1 million in monthly aggregate revenue during October. Table games and slots generated $111.5 million in revenue while retail sports betting produced $2.6 million.

The market shares were:

  • MGM, 47 percent
  • MotorCity, 33 percent
  • Greektown, 20 percent

The casinos’ table games and slots revenue in October was 18.9 percent higher than October 2020 numbers. Monthly revenue was up by 4.2 percent when compared with September results. Year-to-date table games and slots revenue rose 91.1 percent through Oct. 31, compared with the first 10 months of last year when the casinos were closed from mid-March until early August because of COVID-19 health-related concerns.

For October, the three Detroit casinos submitted $9 million in gaming taxes to the state of Michigan compared with $7.6 million for the same period last year.

The casinos reported submitting $13.8 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the city of Detroit during the month.

Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) were down 65.2 percent during October compared with the same month last year and down by 23.6 percent when compared with September 2021 results. Total gross receipts were $2,642,322, and total handle was $34,221,338.

October QAGR totals by property were:

  • MGM, $1,385,030
  • MotorCity, $671,009
  • Greektown, $588,847

State taxes from the Detroit casinos’ retail sports betting were $99,977. The three Detroit casinos also reported submitting $122,194 in retail sports betting taxes to the city of Detroit.

Year to date through Oct. 31, aggregate retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts by property were:

  • MGM, $7,125,404
  • MotorCity, $7,364,269
  • Greektown, $7,022,289

Alta Equipment Group Inc. Reports Increased Q3 Revenue

Alta Equipment Group Inc., a provider of premium material handling and construction equipment and related services based in Livonia, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30.

The company reported that net revenues increased 33.7 percent year over year to $295 million.

It says its construction and material handling businesses brought in $184.7 million and $110.3 million, respectively. Product support gross profit increased $5.7 million year over year to $38.9 million.

“Our operating performance in the third quarter reflects our flexible business model and our ability to produce strong financial results in a supply constrained market,” says Ryan Greenawalt, CEO of Alta. “Both our construction and material handling business segments delivered year over year revenue growth leading to a 43.4 percent increase in adjusted EBITDA. Our high level of new and used equipment sales in the first three quarters of the year are expected to continue to drive future high-margin product support revenue.”

During the quarter, Alta expanded its warehousing and logistics capabilities in the material handling business with the acquisition of Baron, an established provider of dock and door sales, service, and installation that services customers in the greater New England area.

On Oct. 1, Alta acquired Gibson Machinery, a premium equipment distributor, based in Ohio. Gibson expands Alta’s presence in the Midwest and adds several new original equipment manufacturing partners while presenting an opportunity to expand its service operations in the Midwest region.

“We continue to see significant customer demand across all our business segments and anticipate finishing the year on a high note,” Greenwalt says. “The growth in our core markets combined with our expanded capabilities in our material handling business, our entry into the electric vehicle market, and our recent acquisitions have positioned us well for future success.”

DIA Presents Works by Detroit Artist and Educator Shirley Woodson

The Detroit Institute of Arts is presenting a selection of paintings by Detroit artist and educator Shirley Woodson, Dec. 8 through June 12, 2022.

Shirley Woodson: Shield of the Nile Reflections features 11 paintings from Woodson’s Shield of the Nile series. Through these paintings, she portrays the river Nile as a metaphor for Africa to symbolize the changing, historical, spiritual, and cultural significance of this body of water.

The exhibition is free with museum admission, which is always free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. At this time, all museum visitors must make an advance reservation by phone at 313-833-4005 or online.

“Shirley’s art exemplifies her quiet determination to creatively express what she has learned about herself and the world she inhabits during the course of her life and career,” says Valerie Mercer, exhibition curator and department head of the DIA’s Center for African American Art. “Through her skillful drawing combined with her exuberant palette, she lets us know that it’s always a balancing act to assert the complexities of her existence as a Black female artist, a wife, a mother, a mentor, a friend, and a human being. These paintings indicate Shirley handles it all with strength and grace.”

Comerica Bank, Entrepreneur Association Presents Certification Program

Comerica Bank and the National Entrepreneurs Association (NEA) are assisting future business owners through a nine-week Entrepreneur Bootcamp and Certification Program to grow entrepreneurship.

This first-time initiative offers extensive training and learning opportunities for participants to become certified entrepreneurs upon completion of the program.

For the remainder of the program, the 40 pre-selected entrepreneurs will take part in educational sessions, including:

  • Nov. 15: Technology Tools 
    • This session will focus on tech tools entrepreneurs can use to save time and money through automation and manage their businesses more efficiently.
  • Nov. 22: The Legal Side of Business
    • Entrepreneurs will learn how to legally protect themselves personally and professionally. Entities, insurance, copyrights, trademarks, patents and more will be covered.
  • Nov. 29: Powerful Networking
    • This session will focus on why networking is essential for growth and expansion. Entrepreneurs will learn how network and net worth are tied together along with powerful strategies to turn contacts into contracts.

The program will be followed by a virtual graduation ceremony in early December when all participants will become certified entrepreneurs.

For more information, visit here.

Wayne County Community College District Expands Support of Minority Students

Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) is expanding its financial and mentoring support of Black and Hispanic students through its participation in a PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation Community College program.

That program promotes access and advancement in higher education through a holistic approach that offers financial support to help students at the point of college entry, but also addresses additional obstacles such as retention, completion, and workforce readiness that disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic student’s educational and professional journeys.

The program offers 1,400 scholarship opportunities through to Black and Hispanic students attending WCCCD and 12 other community colleges across the nation through 2022. WCCCD was the only community college district in Michigan selected by PepsiCo for its program.

“Our mission has always been to offer pathways to better lives through higher education,” says WCCCD Chancellor Curtis L. Ivery. “We are proud to partner with PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation to ensure that students have the knowledge, tools, and support that they need to grow into their fullest potential.”

PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation launched the Community College Program in March 2021 to support 4,000 Black and Hispanic students over five years. Starting with City Colleges of Chicago, Westchester Community College, Houston Community College, and Dallas College, the program addresses the underlying barriers that make it challenging for minority students to enroll, persist, and graduate.

The PepsiCo Foundation’s community college program includes two types of scholarships – Uplift Scholarships for students seeking two-year associate degrees or trade certificates and S.M.I.L.E (Success Matters in Life and Education) scholarships for community college graduates transitioning to four-year colleges.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Gleaners Providing 2,000 Turkeys to Seniors

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Dedicated Senior Medical Center are teaming up with Gleaners Community Food Bank to provide 2,000 free turkeys to Detroit area senior residents — today (Nov. 12) is the last day to pick up a voucher. The turkeys will be distributed November 15-19 to those seniors who obtain a voucher for a free turkey by visiting one of five Dedicated Senior Medical Centers serving Medicare-eligible residents in greater Detroit.

Vouchers for a free turkey can be obtained by meeting a Dedicated primary care doctor during a VIP tour of any of the following Dedicated Senior Medical Center locations:

  • 6150 Cadieux Road Detroit, Mich. 48224 (November 8-12)
  • 20001 West 7 Mile Road Detroit, Mich. 48219 (November 8-12)
  • 13210 East Jefferson Avenue Detroit, Mich. 48215 (November 8-12)
  • 21816 West 11 Mile Road Southfield, Mich. 48076 (November 8-12)
  • 1921 East 8 Mile Road Warren, Mich. 48091 (15-18)

Turkey vouchers can be submitted for a free turkey November 15-19 at one of five different Detroit area locations on specific, designated dates: Salvation Army Conner Creek, Salvation Army Warren, Calvary Presbyterian, My Father’s Business and Franciscan Outreach.