Farmington - Partner City

Farmington’s DDA purchases restaurant to provide development opportunity

By Newsroom

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August 16, 2012

The closing of one of Farmington's long-established restaurants is being seen as an opportunity to shape the development of the city's downtown as it moves through a resurgence. Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA, says the DDA decided to purchase the parcel that includes Dimitri's restaurant, 33200 Grand River, as a way to control what comes to the stretch of road that is downtown Farmington's Main Street. The cost: $430,000 to be paid back to the City of Farmington, which approved a loan to the DDA earlier this month. "The DDA does have an interest in bringing something to downtown that will really add to the energy and excitement that's going on here," said Annettesaid. "We are looking to kick it up a notch…We are looking to attract a restaurant or redevelopment project that will really contribute to the progress being made." Now the DDA is entertaining potential buyers, and Knowles is holding open houses for the spot "so people can come through casually, without pressure. One open house was Aug. 14. The next is Monday, Aug. 20, from noon to 2. "Interest has been pretty brisk," Knowles said. "We have had numerous folks come who are interested in the restaurant component…We're still debating and discussing the options and opportunities." The proactive development approach gives the DDA and city officials control over a crucial spot of downtown, one that is across the street from a city park and pavilion that hosts summer concerts and events throughout the year. "It does have a good location in a central part of downtown that's accessible and walkable," Knowles says. The restaurant is 3,000 square feet, she says, and "there's room for expansion. The building could be re-used or demolished, depending on the proposals that come in. What's known for sure is that a parking lot will be added behind the building, part of a larger plan to improve parking options downtown, Knowles said. "The bigger picture is there are a lot of redevelopment opportunities here," she said. "This is one we where we hope to start a major trend of investment in our community." Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington Downtown Development Authority Writer: Kim North Shine

LinTech Global leverages new federal work for 6 new positions

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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August 9, 2012

LinTech Global is picking up more work from the good, old USA thanks to a number of new contracts from the federal government. The Farmington Hills-based business has diversified its client base in recent years, shifting more of its workload to U.S. military contracts. LinTech Global recently landed a $9 million dollar contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Learning Network where it will support the planning, development, testing, fielding, and sustainment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Learning Network. "All of the effort we put into getting federal contracts is starting to work now," says Michael Lin, president & CEO of LinTech Global. "It opens a door for us to create a speciality in our area." That sort of growth has allowed LinTech Global to grow its staff to 15 employees and it's looking to add an intern or two this year. The 5-year-old company also has six openings right now for software developers to accommodate current and expected growth. "We've been building our pipeline to where, hopefully, we can double our revenue in the next year," Lin says. Source: Michael Lin, president & CEO of LinTech Global Writer: Jon Zemke

Camelot Ventures invests in Farmington Hills start-up

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Economic Development

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July 26, 2012

Camelot Ventures made an undisclosed investment in Want Technologies, a social media/e-commerce start-up in 2010. Since then the Farmington Hills-based company has made its software plug-in, the Want Button, a staple of more than 1,000 e-commerce websites. "We knew there was a need within the e-commerce world for retailers to have a better way to engage their browsers and turn them into browsers," says Greg Links, vice president of business development for Want Technologies. Want Technologies' the Want Button is a social media plug-in for e-commerce websites that is reminiscent of the Facebook's Like Button. Users can click on the Want Button next to a product they are interested in buying and have that page bookmarked to a universal wish list on their Facebook page. Today the Want Button is on more than 1,000 e-commerce sites, including Edible Arrangements and Sharper Image. Links expects the Want Button to be on a minimum of 2,000 sites by the end of this year and be ubiquitous on e-commerce sites in the near future. Want Technologies has a staff of 15 employees and an intern working to make that happen. Source: Greg Links, vice president of business development for Want Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

The TM Group business consultancy opens new HQ in Farmington Hills

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Arts & Culture

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July 12, 2012

Farmington Hills is the new headquarters of TM Group, a business technology consulting firm that has combined two of its locations into one headquarters designed to foster collaboration, and even fun, among its employees. The 6,700-square-foot office at the Farmington Hills Corporate Campus at 12 Mile and Halstead roads brings together executive management, sales and marketing, client support, and consulting and developing under one roof. Their new workplace combines largely naturally lit offices, meeting rooms, a training room, library, media room, contemporary kitchen and a "refresh room" where employes can watch TV, listen to music, play video games or just relax and destress, the company says in a statement announcing the newly designed headquarters. "May began our 29th year as a highly successful Michigan-based business technology consulting firm – a tremendous milestone of achievement and a great time for us to consolidate in this new corporate headquarters. We are one of only a handful of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide who have nearly three continuous decades with the same management team, product family, and with the most tenured team of certified Dynamics consultants in our area,” says Judy Thomas, president of The TM Group, which calls itself a highly acclaimed provider of Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM solutions. “We made a special effort to provide a more updated environment for our team and a welcoming environment for our clients, prospects, and visitors.” Source: Jennifer Swiderski, spokesperson, TM Group and Automation Alley Writer: Kim North Shine

PhotoTheric grows business, staff in Farmington Hills

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Health

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June 21, 2012

Scott Franklin turned one of his larger problems in life into a growing business called PhotoTheric. In the 1990s, Franklin suffered from eczema, a skin disorder that involves scaly, itchy rashes. He became frustrated with the lack of effective treatments until he discovered phototherapy, a painless light therapy administered by physicians to treat skin conditions. "I found relief," Franklin says. "I found I could easily control the condition to keep it in remission." That turned into Franklin's own business in 2003. Today PhotoTheric has partnered with nine doctors offices in Michigan and Indiana, including the addition of a Howell office last year. That sort of growth allowed the Farmington Hills-based business to recently hire another employee, expanding its staff to two people. "We have been very successful with this business model because we help people," Franklin says. He is now working to spread PhotoTheric across the rest of the country, doubling the number of doctor offices within the next year. Source: Scott Franklin, president of PhotoTheric Writer: Jon Zemke

MAHLE expands in Farmington Hills, set to hire

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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June 14, 2012

MAHLE Industries is expanding in Farmington Hills location, consolidating another facility in Novi with the newly expanded campus. It's a move that is expected to lead to 350 jobs in Farmington Hills. The 17-year-old automotive supplier acquired the former Nailco facility at 23200 Haggerty Road, which adjacent to MAHLE Industries current headquarters. The new facility provides the company with an additional 50,000 square feet of office space along with warehouse space that could be used for future growth. "The building that was right next door was perfect," says Jeff Trent, director of marketing for MAHLE Industries. MAHLE Industries specializes in manufacturing piston systems, cylinder components, valve train systems, air management systems and liquid management systems. It has hired eight people over the last year and has 13 open positions right now. "The target is to have the move done by the beginning of 2013," Trent says. "We will begin renovations soon." Source: Jeff Trent, director of marketing for MAHLE Industries Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

UHY adds 30 in Sterling Heights, Farmington Hills

By Newsroom

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General

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June 14, 2012

Every one loves the feeling of saving money on their taxes. UHY is hiring in Metro Detroit by helping local companies achieve that feeling. UHY is an accounting firm that provides financial, tax, and business consulting services to mid-sized and larger companies. "We try to give them as many recommendations as possible to save them capital from taxes and help them grow," says Dennis Petri, partner with UHY. The 12-year-old firm has locations across the U.S., including offices in Sterling Heights and Farmington Hills that, together, employ about 250 people. The company has hired 30 people over the last year on 8 percent revenue growth. "Now that the economy is back businesses are doing a lot better these days," Petri says. He adds that the company's growth has come organically from attracting both new customers and growing the workload from existing ones. The plan for 2012 is to continue that growth path with a bigger bottom line and more hires. Source: Dennis Petri, partner with UHY Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Critical Signal Technologies adds 23 people in Farmington Hills

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Health

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May 24, 2012

Critical Signal Technologies hit some significant milestones last year. The Farmington Hills-based business notched 13 percent organic growth and hired 23 people, expanding its staff to 119 and three interns. The biggest milestone concerned the 6-year-old company's bottom line. "It was a significant turning point for our young company," says Jeffery Prough, CEO of Critical Signal Technologies. "We became cash-flow positive in 2011." Critical Signal Technologies provides home-monitoring and security technology and services that allows people with failing health to continue to enjoy their home lives. Prough was inspired to start the business after watching his father spend many of the final years of his life in hospitals. Had today's technologies been available then he could have maximized his time with family and friends. Critical Signal Technologies expects to keep growing as the population continues to age and people try to avoid unnecessary hospitalization to maximize family time and save money. Those are big reasons why Critical Signal Technologies made the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch list. Prough expects to keep hiring as his company continues to grow. His latest hires are in the IT, technology and business development departments of his business. "These are all career jobs," Prough says. "These are all opportunities for people to make at least $35,000 per year." Source: Jeffery Prough, CEO of Critical Signal Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Tanner Friedman hires on word-of-mouth growth

By Newsroom

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General

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May 17, 2012

If the best advertising for a business is a job well done, Tanner Friedman is increasingly getting its name out there. The Farmington Hills-based public relations firm has watched both its revenue (revenue has grown each year) and staff increase. The company recently hired a former intern, bringing its office to six employees, a couple of interns and a network of independent contractors. "I see us continuing to follow the path we're on," says Don Tanner, co-founder & partner of Tanner Friedman. "We expect to grow. This is largely a referral business." Tanner adds that his 6-year-old firm has experienced low staff turnover. "We have been fortunate at attracting quality employees," he says. "They stick around." Helping make that happen is a growing diversity of clients that ranges from size of the customer and the scope of work performed. When Tanner Friedman started a half dozen years ago, the industry was focused on landing larger clients on retainer. The recent recession changed that. "The industry has changed a lot," Tanner says. "It's now all about larger retainer clients, hourly clients and project clients." Source: Don Tanner, co-founder & partner of Tanner Friedman Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Farmington Hills-based Mango Languages adds 20 jobs, grows internationally

By Newsroom

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Education

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April 26, 2012

When most people think about the new economy, technology and life sciences immediately come to mind. Mango Languages is staking its claim in Metro Detroit's new economy with something that has been around almost as long as people: language education. The Farmington Hills-based start-up has been growing to the tune of 20 new hires over the last year, rounding out the firm's staff to 54 employees and 200 independent contractors. It recently made the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch list after its revenue climbed to $5.9 million. "We have grown exponentially year after year," says Michael Goulas, force multiplier & co-founder of Mango Languages. The five-year-old company has been taking in more orders from institutional organizations like libraries, and from multi-national companies. Mango Languages has also watched its internatonal orders increase, from the likes of Canada and Australia. It plans to harness more technology, moving more of its products into mobile technology, such as smartphone apps. "There is a trend toward mobile and we're set up to take advantage of that," Goulas says. He adds "We plan to double our revenues, at least." Source: Michael Goulas, force multiplier & co-founder of Mango Languages Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.