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.
Greektown’s Atheneum Suite Hotel Inducted into Historic Hotels of America
Atheneum Suite Hotel in Detroit’s Greektown has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Atheneum Suite Hotel is one of more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the country recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance.
“Historic Hotels of America is delighted to induct the Atheneum Suite Hotel, formally a Victorian, commercial-style warehouse built in the 1920s and converted into a hotel space in 1992,” says Lawrence Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We commend the Atheneum Suite Hotel’s ownership and leadership team for their careful historic preservation work, stewardship and vision.”
The original Ferry’s Seed Warehouse was constructed on Monroe Street in 1881 but burned to the ground in 1886. In 1887, the building was reconstructed on a grander scale. As the Ferry Seed Co. expanded, it used the latest in construction techniques for the facility. The existing building, located on Monroe Street, actually is four independent structures, each with a different type of architectural appearance. The newest Ferry Seed building is now the Atheneum Suite Hotel, which was converted to the hotel space from its original warehouse form in the early 1990s.
The original building featured reinforced concrete column and slab, with drop capitals spaced around 19′ on center. The building was constructed in the 1920s by Walbridge Aldinger, and designed by architect George Mason. The Atheneum Suite Hotel completed an entire property renovation in the Spring of 2023, but the original concrete columns are preserved and continue to add historical flair throughout the hotel.
“We are thrilled to announce the Atheneum’s inclusion in the prestigious group of historic hotels,” says Starsky El Assadi, general manager of the Atheneum Suite Hotel. “This not only honors our rich heritage but also signifies our commitment to preserving the timeless elegance and charm that have defined our establishment. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the perfect blend of history and modern luxury that sets us apart in the world of hospitality.”
SME Launches Training and Electric Vehicle Certification
SME, the Southfield nonprofit, has expanded its capabilities to serve the quickly evolving talent needs in the electrification market today with new training and an Electric Vehicle (EV) Fundamentals certification.
This expansion builds upon SME’s history serving the automotive industry’s talent needs, as well as accelerating technology advancements such as additive manufacturing, automation, and SMART manufacturing.
As a nationally recognized certifying body for more than 50 years in manufacturing, SME obtained input from industrial and academic experts to develop a body of knowledge that encompasses the technologies, job roles, competencies, and skills critical to the electrification industry. The training roadmap takes learners through broader manufacturing areas that are foundational to automotive assembly, electric vehicle production, and e-mobility manufacturing.
In addition, electrification-specific training is designed to incorporate key learning objectives to prepare learners whether individuals have no background in vehicle production and assembly, or they have experience but need to tailor their knowledge to the EV market.
Topics like lithium battery handling and safety, high-energy batteries, and electric vehicle components and manufacturing are covered in-depth. The training, along with the certification, prepares individuals to thrive in a variety of job roles, including assembly technician, production associate, team assembler, manufacturing technician, battery pack assembler, quality control inspector, electric motor assembler, and maintenance technician.
For more information, visit here.
Gerber Collision Expands Automotive Scanning and Diagnostics via Opus IVS Partnership
Gerber Collision & Glass, a collision repair and glass replacement shop with several metro Detroit locations, has strengthened its partnership with Opus IVS, a Detroit-based provider of intelligent vehicle support solutions.
This alliance allows Gerber Collision & Glass to consolidate its diagnostic services through a single diagnostic platform with Opus IVS’s advanced DriveSafe platform, enabling state-of-the-art remote and direct-on-tool diagnostic capabilities across Gerber Collision & Glass locations nationwide.
The DriveSafe platform integrates with the newly introduced CoPilot suite of management tools, facilitating delivery of expanded remote services directly to Gerber Collision & Glass locations.
“Advancing our collaboration with Opus IVS aligns seamlessly with our objective to elevate service delivery both remotely and on-site, using the advanced diagnostics and remoting capabilities of OPUS IVS,” says Mark Miller, vice president at Gerber Collision & Glass.
The collaboration is propelled by the CoPilot technology, which is designed to streamline services and diagnostics, allowing remote OE scans approved by OE certification programs and enabling the diagnosis of complex issues and ADAS calibrations.
Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market Celebrates 40 Years in Business
Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market in Clinton Township celebrated its 40th anniversary from Oct. 11-17 at both of its locations with customers enjoying food samples and demonstrations, live entertainment, and special pricing.
The formal ribbon cutting and re-grand opening ceremony at the Clinton Township location on Oct. 13 had more than 75 attendees with more than 20 elected officials, many vendors, and chamber members attending.
The Vitale family was presented with six proclamations including ones from State Rep. Joseph Aragona; Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido; Macomb County Commissioner James Perna; Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon and Clerk Kim Metzler; and Macomb County Chamber President and CEO Kelley Lovati; along with speeches from Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel; and Connect Macomb President and CEO Stacy Ziarko.
WDIV Anchor Nick Monacelli emcee’d the event and members of the Chippewa Valley Marching Band performed. The Vitale family hosted with breakfast appetizers, coffee, and champagne.
Mimma Vitale thanked everyone on behalf of the entire Vitale family and promised to continue its mission for the next 40 years and beyond.
DuPont Achieves 69 Percent Reduction in Carbon Emissions at its Hemlock Township Site
DuPont Liveo announced that its investment in renewable energy credits (REC) to cover electricity consumption at the company’s Healthcare Industrial Materials Site (HIMS) in Hemlock Township, west of Saginaw, has resulted in a 69 percent reduction in the site’s operational emissions versus a 2019 baseline.
DuPont says this is “a significant step toward achieving supply chain decarbonization for its industry-leading DuPont Liveo Healthcare Solutions brand.”
The company adds that it will further partner with renewable energy suppliers, replace existing boiler systems with higher efficiency technology, expand existing and create new recycling programs, and work closely with suppliers to reduce the footprint of raw materials.
“Making progress on supply chain decarbonization requires integrated planning and long-term commitment to forward progress — which we demonstrate through our steps toward reducing the carbon footprint of our operations,” says Eugenio Toccalino, business leader of DuPont Liveo Healthcare Global. “Not only are we looking at our footprint, but we also want to align with our customers that are at the forefront of sustainability to help them meet their goals.”
Allison Transmission Selected for Australian Armored Vehicle Project
Allison Transmission, a designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions for tactical wheeled and tracked defense platforms with an engineering center in Auburn Hills, announced that its X1100-5A3 cross-drive as the propulsion solution for the Hanwha Redback that was recently selected for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program scoped to replace the M113 armored personnel carriers that have been in service since the mid-1960s.
The Redback is Hanwha’s newest tracked vehicle selected to be Australia’s infantry fighting vehicle of the future following competition with other suppliers. The advanced vehicle weighs more than 40 tons, includes a 30-mm cannon, and anti-tank missiles, while carrying 11 soldiers.
“Allison has partnered with Hanwha in South Korea for more than 25 years,” says Dana Pittard, vice president for defense programs at Allison Transmission’s. “With their latest announcements in Asia, Europe and Africa, Hanwha has become one of Allison’s largest global Defense customers in both wheeled and tracked applications.”
Ford Names one of 3BL’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens
Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn has been named one of 3BL’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens for a second year in a row, coming in at No. 18 overall, No. 5 for human rights, and No. 11 in environment.
The annual ranking recognizes outstanding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies. Ford is the highest ranked company in the automotive category.
“Ford’s strong ESG performance, especially in relation to environmental sustainability and human rights, is a reflection of our overall corporate purpose: to build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams,” saya Cynthia Williams, global director of sustainability, homologation, and compliance at Ford. “We’re honored to be highlighted on 3BL’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list again this year and are inspired to be recognized for the progress we are making.”
The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking is based on 184 ESG factors in seven pillars: climate change, employee relations, environment, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance. Using a methodology developed by 3BL, all Russell 1000 Index companies are researched by ISS ESG, the responsible investment research arm of Institutional Shareholder Services.
To compile the ranking, corporate data and information is obtained from publicly available sources only, rather than questionnaires or company submissions. This year, Ford ranked highly in the human rights, environment and climate change pillars, and the company also showed significant progress over last year in governance and ESG performance overall.
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to Open Uniroyal Promenade Saturday
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy along with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, founding partners, dignitaries, and community members will mark the completion of the 3.5-mile east riverfront with an official opening of the Uniroyal Promenade at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The opening completes the conservancy’s 20-year vision of 3.5 miles of revitalized riverfront along the east riverfront including a series of parks and trails from Joe Louis Arena to Belle Isle. The public will stroll across the new promenade to the Belle Isle Bridge for the first time on Saturday morning.
The Uniroyal Promenade is a half-mile Riverwalk extension along the Uniroyal site between the riverfront and Jefferson Avenue in downtown Detroit. In addition to connecting Gabriel Richard Park with Mt. Elliott Park, two of the most scenic and popular of the conservancy’s parks along the riverfront, the new section provides safe and direct access to the Belle Isle Bridge.
The event will also be broadcast via Facebook Live @detroitriverfront.
Salvation Army, WJLB-FM to Host Annual Coats for Kids Fundraiser Nov. 4
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s annual Coats for Kids fundraiser, hosted by Detroit’s Hip-Hop and R&B station, WJLB-FM, will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 4 at Nonstop, located at 28300 Dequindre Rd. in Warren.
Listeners can drop off new children’s coats — infant through adult sizes — throughout the event.
After the coats are donated, they will be distributed to children in need throughout metro Detroit in the weeks following the event and during the Christmas season.
The first 250 people who donate a coat or $25 in person on the day of the event will receive a coupon from Buddy’s Pizza for one free four-square pizza. Coupons will be limited to one per person. Eventgoers also will enjoy performances from Tee-Grizzly, T-Money, Skilla Baby, and Sada Baby.
Those who cannot attend Coats for Kids, can still support the cause by:
Families in need of winter coats and accessories for their children this season can contact their local Salvation Army Corps community center for assistance. A complete listing of locations is available at SAmetrodetroit.org or by calling 248-443-5500.
Spectacle Society Partners with Eye Care for Detroit to Collect Glasses
Spectacle Society, an optical boutique in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, is partnering with Eye Care for Detroit Inc. (ECFD) to help the nonprofit build its first eyeglass repository with a goal of collecting 1,000 pairs of gently used glasses by the end of 2023.
Detroit’s population is at greater risk of avoidable and treatable eye diseases and blindness due to the lack of access to affordable and accessible eye care services, awareness of eye health needs, costs, and transportation barriers.
ECFD is committed to improving the eye care outcomes of the homebound and underserved populations in Detroit by providing access to high-quality and affordable eye care. There are more than 40,000 residents in this category.
Spectacle Society owner Tina Arroyo, one of only 11 opticians in Detroit who is certified by the American Board of Opticianry, saw the need and knew her customers and neighbors could likely help make glasses within reach for others.
Glasses can be dropped off at Spectacle Society during business hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; and 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, or by private appointment, including evening hours.
Located at 1512 Bagley St., Spectacle Society says it’s dedicated to providing Detroiters customized eyewear that reflects their individuality and optimizes their vision in a space that is invested in strengthening and giving back to the community. Customers just need to schedule an appointment for a one-on-one consultation and bring their most recent eyewear prescription.
Editor: R.J. King
Associate Editor: Tim Keenan