Innovation & Job News

Michigan’s original and first 911 Dispatch Academy will present its 2013 Spring session at Oakland Community College’s Auburn Hills Campus, March 26, 2013 through May 7, 2013. This marks the academy’s eleventh session.
 
Offered through the Oakland Police Academy, the seven-week program consists of 168 hours, which include classroom instruction, as well as hands-on simulator training.
 
The 911 Academy is an entry-level training program for dispatchers employed by public safety agencies or individuals seeking employment as professional 911 telecommunicators. Upon completion, graduates receive a 911 Dispatch Academy Certificate from the Oakland Police Academy.
 
Tuition is $2,150 for the program. 
 
A mandatory orientation will be held at the Auburn Hills Campus CREST Facility, in Room S114 on February 11, 2013 at 6:30 pm.

There is no charge to participate in the orientation, but seating is limited and advance registration is required.
 
Call 248.232.4220 to reserve a seat, or for further information.
 
The Auburn Hills Campus is located at 2900 Featherstone Road, one mile east of the Pontiac Silverdome.
 
Visit their website http://www.oaklandcc.edu/Police/911.

Preh, Inc., a leading global provider of automotive electronic driver control systems and sensors based in Novi, Mich., was named a winner of a Novi Business Recognition Award, as announced by the sponsors of the awards—the City of Novi, the Novi Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Preh’s North American headquarters has been in Novi for 10 years, and the company was cited as the “Best Place to Work,” based on the award criteria for the small business category.

Nick Lontscharitsch, president of Preh, Inc., received the award from Novi Mayor Bob Gatt in a “Toast of the Town” gala held Friday evening January 25 in the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
 
“Preh is honored to have been awarded the ‘Best Place to Work’ Business Recognition Award, and this reflects not only on our success as a Novi-based company but also on our reputation of being a great company to work for," Lontscharitsch said. "At Preh we strive to offer our employees an outstanding work environment, as well as exceptional opportunities for achievement and career growth. A collaborative spirit and shared vision are the foundations for our values-based culture.

“As we begin 2013,” Lontscharitsch added, “the passion that our colleagues have shown for each other, the company and our customers will continue to be reflected in Preh’s development of innovative automotive products coupled by further growth in the global marketplace.”

Last November, Preh was recognized as a “Cool Place to Work in Michigan” for 2012, by Crain’s Detroit Business magazine – an initiative designed to find and recognize Michigan’s best employers. Preh was one of a group of 50 companies in Michigan that were selected from hundreds of applicants large and small.

Preh is well-known for its innovative products, quality execution and responsive customer service.  This is reflected in a shelf full of prestigious awards from OE partners and industry experts: Automotive News’ PACE Award (2006) and finalist (2007), DAF Euro 4 System Supplier Award (2006), GM Global Supplier of the Year (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), Hitachi Top 10 Supplier Award (2008), ZF Top Supplier Award (2010) and the Claas Award for the Supplier of the Year (2011). This year, the company has again been named a PACE Award finalist, and will be featured in a gala award ceremony in April.
 
About Joyson/Preh
Preh is owned by the Joyson Group of Ningbo, China, an automotive supplier that also operates a real estate division. With a staff of about 5000, the group generated total sales of CNY 6 billion in 2012. The automotive activities are combined in the exchange-listed company Joyson Electronics, which consists of the business divisions Automotive Electronics (Preh) and Automotive Components (Joyson). The automotive electronics supplier Joyson was founded in 2004, while Preh, founded in 1919, boasts a company tradition of almost 100 years.
 
Preh is a global automotive supplier with 3,200 employees in Germany, Portugal, Romania, Mexico, the U.S.A. and China. The company’s head office is located in Bad Neustadt a. d. Saale. Preh’s development and manufacturing expertise focus on air conditioning and driver control systems, electronic control devices, sensors and assembly systems for the world’s major automotive manufacturers.
 
Founded in 1919, Preh is a globally operating group of enterprises with more than 3,000 employees. The company is headquartered in Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale, Germany.  Preh’s development and production competencies focus on vehicle interior control systems, sensor systems, electronic control units and assembly systems for the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.
 
Apart from the parent manufacturing and development center in Bad Neustadt, Preh oversees manufacturing facilities in Portugal, Mexico, Romania and China, as well as a customer support center headquartered in Novi/Detroit, U.S.A.  Preh achieved revenues of approximately €460 million in 2012.  For more information, please visit: www.preh.com.

P3 North America hasn't stopped growing since it opened as the U.S. arm of the P3 Group in Troy in 2005.

The automotive supplier has gone from a handful of employees to more than 100 today. It hired about a dozen people in 2012 after it notched an 18 percent revenue increase that year.

"We have had steady growth, even throughout the recession," says Samit Ghosh, president of P3 North America. "We took full advantage of the upswing in 2010."

P3 North America focuses mainly on providing consulting services in the aerospace and automotive industries. In the auto sector it specializes in infotainment and alternative powertrain work for hybrid and electric vehicles. The company expects to grow in 2013 through additional work from its existing customer base, which should allow it to notch another year of double-digit revenue growth and hiring.

"We're growing even more aggressively this year," Ghosh says.

Source: Samit Ghosh, president of P3 North America
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Paul Johnston and Kris Wenzel don't always measure the success of their start-up, ParseNIP, by its bottom line. Sometimes success can be defined in how people use the New Hudson-based company's name.

"If our customers start using our products as a verb then I know we have that snowball rolling down the hill," Johnston says, adding he wants his customers to say "just ParseNIP it" when it comes to data migration and management.

ParseNIP has created software that can easily convert data from one format to another, effectively removing the language barrier between some operating systems so databases can be combined and easily accessed.

Johnston and Wenzel have spent years developing the technology and recently launched a public Beta. They are getting ready to transfer the software to a 10-day trial period and focus on creating the best possible user experience for their customers, which they want to expand to a broad range of users outside of the traditional software crowd.

"We want to target this to the accountant or the human resources representative," Wenzel says.

ParseNIP is currently a two-person operation but Johnston and Wenzel hope to grow their team this year as their technology becomes more widely adopted.

Source: Paul Johnston and Kris Wenzel, co-founders of ParseNIP
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Climate Technologies Corp. is continuing to enjoy the fruits of an economic rebound as the Farmington Hills-based company pushes forward its transformation from auto-focused firm to green-tech business.

The company's revenue is up modestly over the last year as it continues to develop projects that help its climate-control technology, which captures toxic gases and concentrates them so they can be used in things like fuel cells. It is also working in co-generation CHP in heavy industry and some alternative energy projects.

"It turned out to be a solid foundation to build on," says Walt Zimmerman, CEO of Climate Technologies Corp. "We have made a lot of strides over the last couple of years to do clean-and-green projects."

That has allowed Climate Technologies Corp to make a hire over the last year and bring on a few more independent contractors. It now has a staff of six employees, one intern and three independent contractors. Zimmerman expects to see significant growth in 2013 because of the prospects of more work for his company in the near future.

"There are a number of projects that are at a proposal point," Zimmerman says. "We believe our customers are ready to go forward."

Source: Walt Zimmerman, CEO of Climate Technologies Corp
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Automation Alley tenant Reply Inc., based in Turin, Italy, has found a permanent home in Auburn Hills and is looking to hire local employees. 

Read more.

Novi-based Shazaaam! Pubic Relations and Marketing, today announced that the agency has received national recognition as one of the National Best and Brightest Companies to Work for by the National Association for Business Resources. Shazaaam! has also recently been awarded seven additional awards recognizing its successful creative client campaigns and the agency’s corporate culture. The awards include:
 
o  A Platinum Hermes Creative Award for campaign excellence
o  2 Platinum MarCom Creative Awards for campaign excellence
o  Novi Chamber/City’s Best Places to Work
o  101 Best Companies to Work for, Metro Detroit Best and Brightest
o  IABC Detroit Renaissance Award
 
“We have strived to create an environment where our employees love where they work and the clients we represent. That passion translates into award-winning PR and marketing campaigns and recognition for being a best and brightest company to work for,” said Adrienne Lenhoff, Shazaaam! president and CEO. “As Shazaaam! concludes its 11th year, our best and brightest team of professionals enter 2013 energized to continue to infuse creativity into our unique blend of services making us successful in assisting our clients to grow their businesses and to tell their stories.” 
 
About Shazaaam! LLC Public Relations
Founded in 2001, Shazaaam! LLC is an award-winning, independently owned, marketing communications and public relations firm headquartered in Novi, Michigan. Shazaaam! works with clients in both the consumer and business-to-business space ranging from well-known publicly traded companies to emerging brands and businesses. Shazaaam! and its sister companies, Buzzphoria Social Marketing Agency and Promo Marketing Team, specialize in traditional media and public relations, social media marketing, product sampling and new media development. The company was named one of ‘Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For!’ for five consecutive years. Learn more at www.shazaaam.com.

Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are encouraged to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call 248-858-0783.
 
Marketing Your Business
Feb. 6, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow small businesses. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well-planned approach to marketing is demonstrated with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques. Focus is on the business’ customers – creating and keeping them.
Fee: $40
 
Venture Plan
Feb. 5 - April 9, a 10-week series on Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Venture Plan is an intensive program that helps evaluate business opportunities and develop an action plan for owning or growing a business. It offers essential business information to help develop entrepreneurial skills and build your business on a strong foundation or help to prepare for expansion. The program utilizes text and online training materials from a nationally recognized program proven through use with thousands of businesses.
Full cost for the Venture Plan 10-week series is $700, however scholarships are available to reduce the cost to $140.
You must submit a Venture Plan application and attend prerequisite workshops to qualify for the scholarship. Class size is limited to 30 people.
 
Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion
Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Novi Public Library, 45245 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi
Thinking of starting a business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to benchmark your profit margin and other measures against similar size businesses? Do you want to identify market trends and opportunities to grow your sales? Are you looking for new customers or to diversify your market base? Business Research shows you ways to find your ideal customers, your competitors, perform competitive analysis and more. Presented by Oakland County Market Research and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
 
CEED Microloan Orientation
Feb. 13, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan. Many small businesses face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. The recognition of the serious need for working capital for existing businesses, start-up or expansion, equipment purchases, and job creation is not the priority it once was. If you have a need for alternative financing consider the Microloan Program. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
 
Team SBA Financing Roundtable
Feb. 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Before you apply for a business loan, attend the Small Business Association Forum on Small Business Lending. This is a free loan orientation conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBA’s network of Small Business Development Centers, and an SBA representative. During the roundtable, we’ll debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. You'll learn how the lending process works and what is expected of you and you'll understand how the SBA can assist with our SBA Guaranteed Loan Program. This session is best suited to those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in their business. Because the SBA does not provide loan guarantees to real estate investment firms, including purchasing and rehabbing houses for sale, this type of financing is not discussed at the roundtables. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
 
Twitter for Business (Beginner)
Feb. 14, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Introduction to Social Media Marketing and using Twitter for Business.  Millions of people are using Twitter and social media for fun, but it is also a powerful business tool that can connect you with your customers, potential customers and the world. You will learn how to sign yourself and/or your business up for Twitter, how to navigate Twitter, Twitter lingo, how to find the right people and businesses to follow, and more.  Fee: $40
 
Starting a Business
Feb. 20, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, and evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Fee: $30
 
Twitter for Business (Intermediate)
Feb. 21, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Create your Twitter Strategy.  In this Intermediate session of Twitter for Business you will establish your social media objectives and goals for Twitter. You will learn core strategies and tactics businesses are using to get customers talking through Twitter, how to use social media management tools and how to schedule tweets in advance. Prerequisite is Twitter for Business (Beginner).  Fee: $40
 
Women's Business Certification Orientation
Feb. 27, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Learn the benefits and process of becoming a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE). Benefits include certification to private sector WBE's and access to procurement opportunities with major national companies. For additional information on what it means to be certified as a Women's Business Enterprise visit www.miceed.org. Fee: $25 
 
Writing a Business Plan
Feb. 27, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A business plan is a document that serves your needs and the needs of others (investors, bankers, etc.) that may require information from you about your business. Workshop participants will learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and will work on developing each of these for their business. Assistance in the process as well as information on resources will be provided. Fee: $40
 
Twitter for Business (Advanced)
Feb. 28, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Create and Launch your Twitter Campaign.  In this advanced session of Twitter for Business you will establish objectives and goals for a Twitter campaign, create and launch a Twitter campaign, learn advanced strategies for reaching influencers and building a long-lasting online community and explore ways to take Twitter beyond social media marketing. Prerequisites are Twitter for Business (Beginner) and Twitter for Business (Intermediate)  Fee: $40
 
March
 6:  Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion
12: Advanced Legal Series: Hiring Personnel
13: CEED Microloan Orientation
14: Writing A Business Plan
28: QuickBooks Essentials Part 1
28: QuickBooks Essentials Part 2
 
April
 3:  Marketing Your Business
 4:  Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion
 4:  Small Business Loan Workshop
10: CEED Microloan Orientation
10: Starting a Business
10: Writing a Business Plan
10: Legal and Financial Basics for Small Business

123.net is adding to both its staff and its business capacity.

The Southfield-based Internet firm has hired three people in 2012, expanding its office to 25 employees. It has also added 11,500 square feet of data storage space to its infrastructure with plans to expand much more rapidly in 2013.

"We have experienced quite a bit of growth," says Dave Curran, channel sales manager of 123.net. "Over the last two years we have experienced 66 percent growth. We will probably add 5-10 new employees over the next year."

123.net added 8,000 square feet of data storage space to its Southfield operations and another 3,500 square feet to its Grand Rapids-based facility. It plans to add yet another 100,000 square feet of data storage space in Southfield in 2013 for a total investment of $15 million. The addition would take place at 20,000 square feet at a time.

"That would more than double our current capacity," Curran says.

Source: Dave Curran, channel sales manager of 123.net
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Luis and Sara Mendez once lived in Mexico until they saw opportunity in Detroit. That's when they moved to Ferndale and are now getting ready to launch their own food-truck business, Don Lucho Taco Truck and Salsa.

The couple had already been selling their own salsa when they decided they wanted to take it a step further this year. They recently graduated from D:hive's BUILD program, an initiative that teaches aspiring entrepreneurs the basics of launching a business. They are now looking to launch the food truck this spring to give their food business a foothold.

"Spring is the time because it's warm and everybody wants to be outside," Luis Mendez says.

The Mendez family was originally looking at opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Ferndale but decided to go the food truck route because it offers a better entry point for their business. They plan to cook authentic Mexican food with vegan and vegetarian options.

"We found a taco truck is more versatile than an actual restaurant," Luis Mendez says.

Source: Luis Mendez, co-owner of Don Lucho Taco Truck and Salsa
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Accel Partners, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, is investing $30 million into manufacturing software maker Plex Systems.

The Troy-based firm was acquired by Francisco Partners, also of Silicon Valley, last summer. Plex Systems plans to use the new investment capital to create more product features for its software, improve customer service and expand its sales capabilities.

"You name it, we have initiatives," says Mark Symonds, CEO of Plex Systems. "Growing at this rate things break and you rethink things from time to time."

The 17-year-old company creates Cloud ERP software Plex Online, which helps industrial companies improve and streamline the manufacturing process from product quality management to supply chain management. Plex Systems employs 280 people after hiring 90 in 2012. Symonds expects to keep growing at that rate for the next year.

"Manufacturing is one of the largest markets in the U.S.," Symonds says.

Source: Mark Symonds, CEO of Plex Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

More tech and employment opportunities are coming to Michigan First Credit Union this year. The Lathrup Village-based financial institution has hired 10 people and is adding more mobile banking options for its growing member base.

The 86-year-old credit union has expanded its staff by 10 people over the last year, rounding out to 229 people and a few interns. Its newest hires include a digital marketing manager and social media professional.

Michigan First Credit Union has also expanded its mobile banking options. The credit union began offering banking options for smartphones in 2010 and has recently added a new feature that allows mobile deposit for iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices. Users can take a photo of a check with their device and deposit it directly into their checking or savings account.

"A lot of people have been doing their banking through smart phones and other mobile devices so we thought it was very important to be in that space," says Linda Douglas, vice president of marketing for Michigan First Credit Union. She adds that these sort of options are popular with young, tech-savvy members the credit union is trying to attract.

Michigan First Credit Union adds about 1,000 to 1,500 new members each month in recent years. It now has a membership of 87,000 individuals and businesses in Metro Detroit's tri-county area, along with $630 million in assets.

Source: Linda Douglas, vice president of marketing for Michigan First Credit Union
Writer: Jon Zemke

David L. Mathews, 63, has been named President of the Oakland Community College (OCC) Auburn Hills Campus by Chancellor Tim Meyer. The appointment took effect January 2.
 
Mathews joined Oakland Community College in 2002 as Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at the Southfield Campus.  He was named college-wide Academic Dean of Business/Information Technology in August 2012. He also serves as an adjunct economics faculty member and as liaison to the highly-respected Galileo Project, which encourages faculty members to take leadership roles in introducing innovative teaching techniques.
 
Before coming to OCC Mathews served in Vietnam, then spent 13 years at Marygrove College where he occupied a variety of positions including Associate Director of Admissions, grant writer, Title IV Program Administrator and as a faculty member teaching such subjects as statistics, economics and business.
 
Praising the work of the college committee that selected Mathews, Chancellor Meyer noted that the group “came together with a commitment to provide OCC with the best leadership. In view of David Mathews’ background, reputation and service I feel they have done an outstanding job.”
 
Mathews earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and business (double major) from Marygrove College, and holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan.
 
Married to OCC’s Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Carla Mathews, the couple has six adult children. They reside in Clinton Township.
 
The Auburn Hills Campus, which enrolled more than 9,000 students last fall, is the largest of OCC’s campuses. Known for its wide array of advanced technical offerings such as computer-aided design and robotics, Auburn Hills is home to the Oakland Police Academy, Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Technician program, as well as the 22-acre Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (CREST) facility, which trains first-responder personnel from throughout the region.
 
With five campuses located throughout Oakland County, OCC is the largest of Michigan’s 28 community colleges and the 23^rd largest in the nation. OCC offers degrees and certificates in more than 160 fields including university transfer and general studies degrees.

Event Highlights:
• Labor market information • Success stories • Speaker, Russell Davis - U.S. Department of Labor • Booths

Questions?
Contact Patty Adolfs at 248.209.2317 or patty.adolfs@oakland.k12.mi.us. Register by Thursday, February 21, 2013 at tinyurl.com/TradeUp-ClosingtheSkillsGap. There is no cost to attend!

Booth rentals are available for organizations and businesses interested in having a presence. Please contact Patty Adolfs for more information. 

Want more information about OSTC? Go to OSTConline.com