Macomb business awards recognizes manufacturers, charities and pickle producers

Winners of the 7th annual Macomb Business Awards were announced this week, with the awards celebrating companies that range from innovative manufacturers to senior centers and pickle makers.

More than 450 business leaders from across the region attended the annual award ceremony in Sterling Heights yesterday. Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel joined Vicky Rad, director of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, to recognize award winners while Mark Ostach, the event’s keynote speaker, discussed digital health and well-being.

The Model of OneMacomb award this year went to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Southeast Michigan for its work over the last 25 years caring for low-income, chronically ill seniors. PACE aims to help seniors remain independent and engaged in the community and opened a center in Warren in 2015 when a study showed that Macomb County had a high concentration of seniors who could benefit from its services. This year the group opened a center in Sterling Heights.

Rad says PACE make a significant impact in the community. “This work is in line with the mission of our OneMacomb initiative and very much deserving of this Macomb Business Award recognition.”

The Champion of Work and Life Integration award went to Godlan, Inc., a Clinton Township manufacturing services company that has been in operation since 1984. With two locations and more than 60 employees, it implements hundreds of enterprise manufacturing systems and performs countless data conversions while simultaneously committing to quality of life for each of its team members.

CARE of Southeastern Michigan took out the Corporate Citizen award for its work in strengthening resiliency in people and their communities through prevention, education, and services that improve quality of life. CARE is a nonprofit organization with a 42-year history of serving the residents of Macomb County. Each year, the organization impacts the lives of 40,000 people in southeast Michigan by providing person-centered care that ensures each individual’s unique needs are met and their defined success is achieved.

Drake Enterprises was awarded the sought-after Manufacturer of the Year prize, for its work creating machined parts for major OEMs in the heavy truck, agriculture and automotive markets. The company was founded in 1952 by Benny Stemple and today is run by his two grandsons, Nathan and Keith Stemple.

The Hidden Gem award this year went to family-owned Great Lakes Pickling Company, while international business L&L Products claimed the award for Trailblazer of Future Talent and Economic Development Partner of the Year went to Macomb Intermediate School District.