Macomb County businesses honored by Michigan

 

The Department of Planning and Economic Development is pleased to congratulate Burtek Inc. of Chesterfield Township and Eagle Manufacturing Corp. of Shelby Township on their recent recognition by the State of Michigan. These two Macomb County manufacturers took their turns in the spotlight among the 22 businesses honored at the State’s annual Michigan Diversification Celebration.

 

This event recognizes those companies that, over the past year, have made a significant contribution toward diversifying the state’s economy.  Each is part of a new breed of Michigan businesses that are making their names in the technology sectors of advanced manufacturing: automotive and materials, alternative energy, life sciences, and homeland security and defense.

The December 6th event, presided over by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, was held in Lansing, in the historic and ornate Capitol Building rotunda. “These honorees are examples of businesses that are choosing Michigan, growing in Michigan, and thriving in Michigan,” the Governor said.  “This is part of our aggressive and comprehensive economic plan to diversify our economy – and these honorees are contributing to our state’s high-tech transformation through cutting-edge research, smart business practices, innovative products and high-tech job growth.”

Burtek was the winner in a field of four finalists for recognition for Outstanding Diversification Achievement in Homeland Security/Defense.  The company, established in 1987 by Mr. Bruce Burton, its President, was at one time exclusively supplying product to the automotive industry. Burtek today designs, engineers and builds military vehicles and utility platforms.  They supply more than 500 different parts to AM General (manufacturer of the HUMVEE) and count among their major customers global heavyweights such as Raytheon, Northrop-Grumman, Lockheed and Navistar.

Eagle Manufacturing was a finalist for recognition for Outstanding Diversification Achievement in Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive and Materials.  The company is a noted custom builder of tooling and equipment for the extruded plastic profile industry.  Eagle’s President, Mr. Brent Short, was acknowledged for applying the company’s technical capabilities and innovative flare to the purpose of creating a manufacturing process for producing biodegradable, cornstarch-based plate ware.  In partnership with a California-based firm, this product is now being produced in short runs at Eagle’s facility.

These companies are emblematic of what can be achieved by Michigan manufacturers.  They are leaders among those firms that have evolved from serving a customer base that was exclusively populated by the automotive OEMs, to a mix of customers from diverse sectors.  It was as suppliers to the automotive industry where these businesses honed their skills and built their capacity.  As smart business managers, they created agile organizations, becoming adopters of new methods and technologies, and practitioners of innovation.  They are the infrastructure of the emerging new model for manufacturing in Michigan.

Both Burtek and Eagle have long been clients of the Department’s Economic Development Services Group.  We are proud to have served them and look forward to our continued partnership as they move forward in changing the face of the manufacturing industry and the Michigan economy.