Category: Business

We’re lucky in Southwest Michigan: There’s definitely a lot of women creating a big impact and to whom we can give a shout-out this coming International Women’s Day. We know we missed many great leaders, but let’s take a minute to celebrate these stand-out ones who are creating jobs and opportunities at companies doing business […]

December jobless rates rose slightly in most Southwest Michigan labor markets due to seasonal job cuts in the construction and mining, leisure and hospitality, business services, and government sectors. But, there’s no reason to get hot under the collar at this uptick. The Kalamazoo-Portage metro area recorded an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent, which was […]

When Stryker Corporation began the search for a place to construct a $154 million research and development facility for its Instruments Division, it had to look no further than the home of its birth in Southwest Michigan. On January 27, 2020, several hundred corporate and community leaders celebrated in tandem as the ribbon was cut […]

The 269 MAGAZINE team set out to find the best of the best happenings in Southwest Michigan in 2019. We wanted to stop at 10, but added two more for good measure! Graphic Packaging International selected Kalamazoo for its massive $600 million investment in facilities and equipment to support the company’s commitment to sustainable packaging. […]

WEALTH MANAGEMENT FIRM Kalamazoo, MI In the wealth management field, where clients’ assets are passed from generation to generation, relationships matter. “We’re like doctors in a way,” says Kimberly Dudley, human resource specialist at Greenleaf Trust. “Our clients are sharing deep, personal details about their finances with us, and that’s not something you disclose to […]

A typical four-person household washes eight to 10 laundry loads every seven days, according to Unclutterer. Averaging 16 pounds per load, this equates to lugging 144 pounds of dirty clothes to and from the laundry room each week. Contrast this vision to that of the 450,000 pounds of laundry serviced weekly at Continental Linen Services […]

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FIRM Kalamazoo, MI TowerPinkster, a West Michigan-based architectural firm, is behind the top-to-bottom composition of buildings across the state. TowerPinkster, a west Michigan-based architectural firm, is behind the top-to-bottom composition of buildings across the state. This creativity-centric company tackles architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape, security, and technology projects. But to keep […]

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Kalamazoo, MI For over 25 years, BKC, formally known as Brink, Key & Chludzinski, has been serving Southwest Michigan by providing accounting excellence in solutions for personal and business needs. And though this full-service firm has a roster of tax, audit, accounting, and consulting experts, each of its team members is passionate […]

CREDIT UNION Kalamazoo, MI Consumers Credit Union knows all about growth. Over 300 employees work at the credit union’s 20 West Michigan offices, with more joining its ranks every year. Jennifer Smith, senior recruiter and human resources specialist, credits the Consumer’s team for the organization’s success. “We’ve found that if we have happy and engaged […]

BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR Kalamazoo, MI Since the repeal of prohibition in 1933, Imperial Beverage has had a presence in Michigan. Today, over 80 years later, it keeps good cheer flowing in every county in the state. With new bars, breweries, and tasting rooms drawing ever-bigger crowds to Southwest Michigan’s downtowns, the company is enjoying a renaissance […]

CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT FIRM Portage, MI To witness the growth of Southwest Michigan is to see AVB’s team in action. The company is a leader in both residential and commercial development, and its people are driven by a passion for creating great places to live and work. “We have a desire to build things that […]

INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCY Kalamazoo, MI Knock on the doors of Nulty Insurance, and you’ll find a staff of experts in personal and business insurance, as well as employee benefit services, waiting to welcome you. Helping clients prepare for whatever the future might bring is the company’s top priority. But when it comes to looking out […]