BUSINESS THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
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IN BRIEF ADA TOWNSHIP
Amway to give $1.2M to efforts in Japan
Amway Japan President John Parker announced Monday that Amway Japan Limited and parent company Amway will provide 100 million yen, or approximately $1.2 million, in cash and product donations to support relief efforts in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The donation will come from the company, its distributors and employees. It will be dispensed in partnership with distributors and relief agencies in the region, especially those which focus on children in keeping with Amway’s One by One Campaign for Children. Amway is matching donations from its global employees and distributors up to $250,000, through March 21. Amway North America is accepting online donations for The Red Cross at www.amway.com. WYOMING
Resale proposal hearing
A Planning Commission hearing is planned for 7 p.m. today on a proposal to permit resale shops throughout the city. City code now prohibits secondhand stores in many zones, but officials report increased demand for usedgoods sales by retail landlords and prospective tenants. “I was shocked at how busy they were,” said Doug Kochneff, chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, who toured several resale shops. “Obviously, the price is right and there’s a need.” The DDA initially was hesitant about opening Wyoming Town Center to more used goods. But the board now supports the current proposal, which would allow resale shops with a special-use permit and a 250foot minimum distance from other secondhand stores.
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011
Kindel emphasizes regional focus Furniture company pulls out of International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. BY SHANDRA MARTINEZ THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
GRAND RAPIDS — The venerable Kindel Furniture Co. is breaking with tradition and shaking up its marketing strategy. The Grand Rapids furniture maker is pulling out of the semi-annual International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. For decades, the century-old company has been a fixture at what is billed as the world’s largest home furnishings industry trade show. Now, instead of showcasing its furniture for a week in April and October in North Carolina, the company’s strategy is to reach out directly to interior designers who buy its pieces. The focus will be on smaller, regional
trade shows and store events. “It was a very expensive endeavor to rent space for a year and show twice a year,” said Amy Wolbert, Kindel’s vice president of marketing. Meanwhile, Hekman Furniture Co., a division of Zeeland-based Howard Miller, is sticking with High Point. Hekman moved out of its space — upstairs from Kindel’s 9,000-squarefoot space — two years ago but didn’t go far. The company relocated its 35,000 square feet of showroom space to the Market’s main building to be more visible to retail buyers and interior designs. “We see High Point as a viable option,” said Dan Masters, president of the family-owned business. “We still write a lot of business at the market and put a lot of attention there.” Kindel is betting that using several different approaches, such as smaller shows, slick ads and a public relations campaign, will produce better results than two weeks at High Point. This week, Kindel will be showcasing its latest offerings in New York City at the Architectural Digest Home Show and in May at the International
The small things: Keighly Karel, above, works on a claw foot at Kindel Furniture Co. on Eastern Avenue SE, in Kentwood. Left, Bill Bloemendaal hand carves a chair. PRESS PHOTOS/ JON M. BROUWER
Contemporary Furniture Fair. Kindel is also partnering with boutiques that sell its furniture for major events. “We feel that being in New York is going to get us closer to our customers
and major market,” Wolbert said. Kindel hired the New York City public relations firm Susan Becher and Associates for 2011 to develop SEE KINDEL, A11
KEEPING UP AT CLUTCH TIME SOME EMPLOYERS JUMP AT THE CHANCE TO CHANGE THEIR LINEUP DURING MARCH MADNESS BY URSULA ZERILLI
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THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
RAND RAPIDS — While statistics show millions of dollars and hours are wasted while workers indulge in the college basketball extravaganza known as March Madness, many businesses in Grand Rapids embrace it.
GRAND RAPIDS
Company invests $1.24M
Knape and Vogt Manufacturing Company is investing $1.24 million to move its John Sterling Corporation operations to the KV headquarters and manufacturing facility in Grand Rapids and the distribution facility in Wyoming. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation estimates the facility will bring 213 jobs to Michigan by 2016 and increase government revenue by more than $2.7 million. The company is receiving a Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit for the investment.
The First Four round of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship begins today. The second round, which entails 32 games from noon to 9:55 p.m., happens on Thursday and Friday. A study by consulting company Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. has crunched the numbers to show how the sporting event impacts business activity. Challenger predicts 8.4 million business hours will be spent watching college basketball. It multiplied that figure by the average private-sector hourly earnings, which is $22.87 per hour, estimating inactive workers during March Madness costs businesses $192 million. Rob McCarty and his co-workers at The Image Shoppe on
Diamond Avenue SE will bring their workloads to Peppino’s Downtown Grille and Pizzeria for a work-in fundraiser on Friday to watch a slew of college basketball games. “Most people used it as a way to do team building. It was a good opportunity for people to take the team out for pizza and watch games,” said Steve Faver, director of the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, the fundraiser’s beneficiary. “There are other benefits to people having a good time,” said McCarty, “What might not be good for one business is great for others. This is great for our friends at Peppino’s, who are getting business they normally wouldn’t have.” The tournament is more than welcome at Open Systems Technologies, 605 Seward Ave. NW. The staff calls in food caterers for basketball-shaped cheese wheels and decorates the office for their annual NCAA Tournament tip-off party. “It’s not a distraction whatsoever, it’s our bosses’ favorite event,” marketing director Alyson Sack said. She said the company expects around 400 people to celebrate the sporting event at their offices during work hours on Thursday. SEE MADNESS, A11
GRAND RAPIDS
DETROIT
Quicken trial nears end
Attorneys for Quicken Loans portrayed former employees who are suing the company for overtime pay as greedy and dishonest during closing arguments Monday in a trial that will determine if the company shortchanged more than 300 people who peddled mortgages over the phone. The trial, which began Feb. 8, has centered on whether work at the online mortgage giant was primarily sales, which would qualify the brokers for millions in overtime under federal law. Quicken, however, claims an overtime exemption for administrative work in the financial industry should apply.
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Atomic adds 30 jobs
Atomic Object LLC, a software development service company, plans to add 30 high-paying jobs to its company here within the next five years. Atomic is receiving a state MEGA tax credit to support a new growth that will create new internal divisions and building infrastructure improvements. The company will invest $983,000 for the project. Atomic employs 26 people.
Manufacturer to create 180 jobs in Michigan Multi Packaging Solutions Inc. receives $865,119 tax credit BY URSULA ZERILLI THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
HOLLAND — Multi Packaging Solutions Inc., a national packaging and printing manufacturer, is expanding its facilities and creating about 180 jobs in Michigan after receiving a $865,119 state tax credit. MPS hopes to welcome 63 employees in the first year of the expansion and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation expects the project
to create 180 manufacturing jobs by 2014. The company, which was established in 2004, has experienced growth in its pharmaceutical carton business. To meet growing demands, MPS is investing about $5.3 million into expanding the Steketee-Van Huis Inc. branch in Holland and Digital Imaging Group in Allegan. Cartons and labels are produced at the locations. SVH was founded in 1928 and is a subsidiary of MPS. It employes 94 people. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority credit, along with possible city tax abatements from Holland and Allegan, allowed MPS to expand in
Michigan instead of in one of four competing states. Spreading the expansion among existing locations in other states would have saved the company more than $4 million in capital investment. The company chose to stay in Michigan because of a proven workforce and savings from the credits. Four of Multi Packaging’s 14 facilities are located in Michigan. “We’ve invested significant capital in these facilities over the last five years to upgrade and enhance our capabilities in response to customer needs,” said Company President Dennis Kaltman. “Our expansion in Allegan and Holland reaffirms our commitment to expand in the state of
Michigan to support our next phase of growth.” The MEGA credit will be spread over a four-year span. An estimated $300,000 in leasing costs, among other costs, will be alleviated with the credit. Allegan is considering a $128,000 12-year property tax abatement and Holland is considering a $141,491 12-year property abatement or a $182,318 six-year personal property tax abatement. The company expects job growth at other locations such as The John Henry Co. in Lansing and The Printery in Holland as well. E-mail: uzerilli@grpress.com