Business leaders from across the region attended the 12th annual Macomb Business Awards, presented by Consumers Energy, today at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren. Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel joined Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, to recognize award winners.
“Every day, local businesses and organizations make our County a better place to live, work and experience, and the Macomb Business Awards is a prime opportunity for us to showcase this,” said Executive Mark Hackel. “I’m proud to share the stage with these incredible local leaders and to once again promote that the County is your trusted business partner.”
Winners of the 2024 awards include:
Best Place to Work: AGS Automotive, Sterling Heights
AGS Automotive is a world-class supplier specializing in high-value added metal components. Its Sterling Heights operation has grown significantly in recent years, as has its commitment to making AGS a desirable and diverse workplace. The company is focused on retention, offering opportunities for advancement and development. It’s also built an impressive employee culture - with engagement activities like birthday and anniversary celebrations, as well as an employee assistance program that helps workers overcome barriers from transportation to housing. The results of these efforts are clear. AGS has a turnover rate of less than six percent over four years. Making it the best place to work in Macomb County for 2024.
Fueling the Talent Pipeline: Aramark Facilities Management, Warren
Aramark Facilities Management is a maintenance and housekeeping service provider, with a location in Warren employing more than 500 employees. In 2020, the organization started an apprenticeship program, demonstrating its commitment to developing skilled workers. This effort allows employees to grow through both classroom and on-the-job training. Since 2021, Aramark has partnered with Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! to enhance its talent efforts. Notably, the company has received Going Pro Talent Fund dollars for both 2023 and 2024 totaling $208,000 and On-The-Job-Training Contracts. Together, this funding has impacted 70 apprentices and 30 new hires.
Hidden Gem: Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters, Sterling Heights
Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters is a women-owned manufacturer of premium and specialty coffees. Created in 2015, its coffees are designed with the outdoors in mind - known for low acidic blends with exceptional tastes. Building on its popularity, the company expanded in September 2020, opening a retail and roasting facility in Sterling Heights. The shop features Michigan-made products, wild-game, meats, cheeses and chocolates that can be shipped anywhere. Founder Julie Majewski continues to seek opportunities for growth, with new locations, new partnerships and new products on the horizon.
Hometown Hero: L&L Products, Romeo
Founded in 1958, L&L Products is a family-owned business which combines material science, engineering and new processing technologies. From its Romeo facility, which employs 500 individuals, to its other operations around the world, the company maintains a vision “to be a good place for all who touch it, where quality of work, product and relationships are a priority." It consistently looks for ways to better its community, and locally, that has resulted in educational partnerships with Romeo High School, donations to adopt-a-family programs, sponsorships of nonprofit organizations and events, and scholarships given to schools and students in STEM programs.
Manufacturer of the Year: I.F. Metalworks, Roseville
Roseville-based I.F. Metalworks started in April 2002 as a tooling supplier with expertise in precision manufacturing for clients in automotive, military and commercial contracting. The company has since diversified into other markets, becoming southeast Michigan’s most versatile ornamental and architectural metalwork business. This skill set was recently used in the restoration and revitalization of Michigan Central Station. For three years, the company worked on the project, reproducing nearly 100 flights of historic stairs, half a mile of decorative railing and 2000-square-feet of custom ventilation grilles. Other notable clients include General Motors for its Design Center West and the Detroit Science Center for its 80-foot replica of the Mackinac Bridge.
Nonprofit of the Year: CARE of Southeastern Michigan, Fraser
CARE of Southeastern Michigan’s mission is to strengthen resiliency in people and their communities through prevention, education and services that improve quality of life. Established in 1977 as a non-profit agency providing alcohol and drug use assessments through employee assistance programs, CARE now serves over 100,000 individuals annually, employs more than 100 full and part-time staff members and maintains two locations in Macomb County. Notably, the organization has expanded to address the mental wellbeing of first responders, developing programs focused on crisis response, training, grief support, counseling and behavioral health screenings.
Startup of the Year: Epoch Expressions, Sterling Heights
Established in 2022, Epoch Expressions is an outpatient mental health treatment experience in Sterling Heights. With just two employees, Clinical Therapist Stephanie Falotico and Certified Therapy Dog Apollo, the practice focuses on youth and adolescents with trauma, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. In less than two years, the organization has served 73 clients, with many receiving certified trauma treatment. This has resulted in reports of more confident and secure children and teens, and parents who have new perspectives on their behaviors. Ultimately, this creates stronger families - which can be attributed to the safe, therapeutic and non-judgmental space created by Epoch Expressions.
Economic Development Partner of the Year: Velocity, Sterling Heights
Velocity is a catalyst for culture change designed to accelerate innovation, reinvention and growth for Macomb County businesses in the manufacturing, technology and defense industries. Located in the Sterling Innovation District, its incubator, accelerator and coworking space offer world-class opportunities to help businesses thrive. As a partner to MCPED, Velocity has hosted events and meetings and served as an advisor on various department programs and initiatives.
Retired Fox 2 Anchor Huel Perkins served as emcee of the Macomb Business Awards while the keynote was provided by Princess Castleberry, a wellness and risk management consultant who creates learning experiences for organizations that want to protect their people, purpose, and profits by making wellness actionable.
The 12th annual event was presented by Consumers Energy. Additional sponsors include First State Bank, ITC, Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, OneMacomb, Connect Macomb, Macomb Community College, the Macomb County Chamber, the Macomb Intermediate School District, Velocity, RCO Engineering, and SMART.
For more information, visit www.macombbusiness.com.
Vicky Rowinski
vicky.rowinski@macombgov.org
586-469-5065
