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Holland businesses experiencing growth despite weak economy
8/21/2008
By STEVE RALPH
The Holland Sentinel
Holland Township, MI — Despite Michigan’s struggling economy, several local businesses have found new growth, expanding facilities and adding jobs.
“We’re making some good investments in equipment and new products — we have a good plan in the works for the recovering economy that we hope is coming,” said Angela Smit, marketing manager at Windquest Companies Inc., 3311 Windquest Drive in Holland Township.
The 16-year-old manufacturer of home and office organizational systems — currently owned by Dick and Betsy DeVos — has doubled its workforce since 2001, when it had a staff of 60, and is investing in updated equipment and new product offerings, Smit said.
“Business is down slightly from where we’ve been,” admitted company President Eric Wolff.
The business was growing 30 percent each year until the past two years, which have seen flat growth, but no net business loss, he said.
“It’s good that we haven’t had to do any volume layoffs or anything like that. We still haven’t given up on this being a growth year,” said Wolff, who anticipates adding another 5 percent to the company’s workforce this year.
Wolff attributed the company’s success to factors such as efforts to finding new markets and products, an emphasis on green manufacturing and the exceptional West Michigan work ethic.
Siemens Water Technologies Corp., 2155 112th Ave. in Holland Township, has more than doubled its workforce since October 2004, growing from 105 employees to 249 now, said Marketing Communications Manager Judy Scheibach.
The manufacturer of wastewater treatment equipment also made a 20,000-square-foot addition to the south side of its plant, completed in October 2007, and started a second shift at the same time.
Scheibach attributes the global strength of Siemens and workers’ commitment to continual improvement as keys to the company’s continued growth.
TicTock Studios, a movie production company and studio at 479 Columbia Ave. in Holland, has grown since its inception about a year and a half ago, said Executive Director of VIP Relations Dana Minter.
“Not only are we creating jobs, but we’re pumping money into the local economy,” she said.
The recent startup finished shooting its first feature film “Tug” this summer.
Minter said there’s lots of positive things about Holland to attract potential filmmakers.
“In Holland and West Michigan, there’s a great workforce, with a great work ethic and ingenuity. Holland tends to be very welcoming to people. That helps us grow,” Minter said.
Randy Thelen, president of Lakeshore Advantage in Zeeland, works with local businesses striving to succeed despite unfavorable economic conditions.
“Sometimes it comes down to hustle,” he said.
"Which companies are out there, aggressively looking for new markets or new services for their customers? In a down economy, major players are always looking for ways to cut costs, and sometimes that opens up new opportunities.”
Thelen and Holland Area Chamber of Commerce President Jane Clark identified businesses that can conduct commerce globally — especially in robust or growing economies — as ones that will best survive the nation’s current slump.
Clark said she thinks West Michigan is weathering the storm better than other parts of the state, citing a growing number of chamber members.
“There is something special about West Michigan. Our workforce — we hear it time and time again from employers — is hard-working, innovative, creative, well-educated and committed to its community,” she said.
Wolff said taking an aggressive attitude is key to success in a down economy.
“You can’t sit back and ride it out. You have to take a leadership position in the market.”
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