Nate Hendley

Author

October 2021 / Current / 2021 / Technology

This Joint Venture Has Big Plans for Growth

Written by Nate Hendley

From its Grand Rapids, Michigan headquarters, ArtiFlex Manufacturing, an innovative, vertically integrated enterprise, has big plans for growth based on partnerships with other businesses. The firm’s name—an amalgam of artisan and flexible—summarizes its unique approach to design and manufacturing, with the company organized into four groups devoted to innovation, tooling, automation, and manufacturing.

September 2021 / Current / 2021

Moving Forward

Globe Food Equipment

Written by Nate Hendley

These are busy times at Globe Food Equipment Corporation, a Dayton, Ohio-based firm which designs and manufactures commercial kitchen equipment. Since Business in Focus profiled Globe in October 2018, the company has introduced new products, adjusted to the market realities of COVID, and taken up distribution duties for a company called Varimixer.

2021 / In Focus / July 2021

Growing, Dreaming and Building

The Town of Davie, FL

Written by Nate Hendley

A spirit of community and growth pervades the Town of Davie, located in Broward County, Florida, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. The Town responded decisively when the virus struck, protecting residents and helping businesses. Now that the worst of the pandemic has hopefully passed, Davie is eager to finish a series of large capital projects and launch new developments.

2021 / In Focus / July 2021

New Braunfels Continues to Bloom

New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC)

Written by Nate Hendley

New Braunfels was booming when Business in Focus profiled the Central Texas city in November 2019. The boom has not subsided despite COVID-19, and the city continues to attract new residents, new construction, and new developments. Over the past three years, several major companies have either expanded operations in New Braunfels or announced plans to set up in the city.

2021 / In Focus / June 2021 / Current

Wired

The Internet of Things and the Connectivity of Modern Life

Written by Nate Hendley

Once viewed as the stuff of science fiction movies, ‘connected’ consumer goods have become ubiquitous. Using ‘smart devices,’ homeowners can remotely program their coffee makers and barbecues, download directions in the car and automate chores such as watering the garden. Smart gadgets connect via an online network known as the Internet of Things (IoT) to relay data and receive commands.

2021 / In Focus / April 2021 / Current

Family-Run Firm Deals with COVID and Builds Its Business

Hightowers Petroleum Company

Written by Nate Hendley

Hightowers Petroleum Company (HPC) has successfully adapted to the challenges posed by COVID and shifting energy markets. Incorporated in 1984, this Middletown, Ohio-based, family-run gas and diesel wholesaler, profiled in the July 2019 issue of Business in Focus magazine, continues to be a leading African-American-owned fuel company, primarily serving the downstream petroleum sector.

2021 / In Focus / March 2021 / Current / Transport

Family Firm Sets New Standards in the Trucking Sector

Seafood Express Transport

Written by Nate Hendley

Seafood Express Transport, a family-owned, award-winning trucking firm based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is gearing up for growth following an extremely challenging year.

In Focus / Current / 2020 / December 2020

Adding Capacity – and a New Manufacturing Operation

Polyplex Corporation

Written by Nate Hendley

Polyplex Corporation Ltd. has been a global market leader in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyester and metallized film markets for the past couple of decades. Polyplex’s’ entire growth in all these years has been through green or brown field expansions in diverse geographies and keeping in agreement with the group’s philosophy of “being where the customer is.” Polyplex’s portfolio of films are primarily used in packaging and industrial applications. Business has been very robust in part due to increased demand for packaged foods and medical packaging in the wake of COVID-19.

In Focus / Current / 2020 / November 2020

Family Firm Weathers the COVID Crisis Amid Ownership Change

Lester R. Summers, Inc. (Summers Trucking)

Written by Nate Hendley

A few months ago, Lester R. Summers, Inc., a venerable, family-owned, heavy haul transport company based in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, met with each individual in its company to discuss the company’s response to COVID-19. The effects had hit Pennsylvania hard.

In Focus / April 2020 / Current / 2020 / Construction

Community Focus and Customer Commitment

Allstates Rigging

Written by Nate Hendley

Allstates Rigging – a woman-owned, turnkey rigging contractor based in Two Rivers, Wisconsin – is in expansion mode. The firm’s skills include forklift operations, plant relocation, and machinery transportation, and it recently acquired a machining facility to augment its services. As befitting the company name, Allstates works with clients across the USA.