After Very Strong March

• Retail sales were flat in April from March and were up 3.0% from a year earlier. Retail sales growth was strong in March.
• Details were mixed.
• Consumer fundamentals are generally positive, led by the very strong labor market.
• Consumer spending growth will slow in 2024 but remain positive.

Tony Conley is a newer content contributor and show-host for Michigan Business Network. To wrap up his seventy-second episode, Tony has a three-segment conversation discussing the state of the construction industry, the impact of interest rates and zoning challenges, the struggle to find skilled workers, and reflections on media coverage and challenges in the construction business.

He welcomes James Voss, Director of Sales, Hydro-Chem Systems, Caledonia, MI, Kent County near Grand Rapids, MI.

Up 0.5% (Seasonally Adjusted)

• Topline PPI gained 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis in April 2024.
• Core PPI, less Food & Energy, also gained 0.5% gain for April 2024.
• Both Goods and Services PPI bounced in April 2024 after declines in the month prior.
• Producers’ Energy costs rose 2.0% for the month in April 2024, setting the index value back above October 2023 levels.

MCSB 2024 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Distinguished Alumni Awardee, Array of Engineers

In a lead-up to the 2024 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala Celebration, Jeffrey Mosher spoke with several winning companies from this cycle. This year’s gala will take place at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI, on May 21st! Please visit michigancelebrates.org/

Here, Jeffrey Mosher speaks  Stacy Paul, CEO of Array Of Engineers, Grand Rapids, MI, a 2024 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Distinguished Alumni Awardee winner for this year's cycle of Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In its twentieth year and holding Gala Celebration May 21st in East Lansing, MI, at the Breslin Center.

Chris Holman welcomes back Jennifer Deamud, Chief Operations Officer, Kinexus Group, Grand Rapids, MI.

Automotive Industry Hot Topics & UAW-MBUSI White Paper

May 10, 2024

This week Alan discusses the latest CAR White Paper on the upcoming UAW-Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa plant vote, loosening EV battery rules, and new U.S. vehicle safety requirements.

We would love to hear from you and welcome your questions anytime. If you're interested in sharing your thoughts with us on hot topics or would like to ask us a research question, please contact Carolyn Mozheev.

Center for Automotive Research Releases New White Paper: UAW's Next Frontier: Mercedes-Benz in Alabama

Ann Arbor, MI (May 10, 2024) – The Center for Automotive Research (CAR), a leading independent non-profit organization focused on automotive research and analysis, today announced the release of a new white paper co-authored with Wayne State University, titled "UAW's Next Frontier: Mercedes-Benz in Alabama."

Faces of Manufacturing is a new show to Michigan Business Network. Cindy Kangas, Executive Director, CAMC, Capital Area Manufacturing Council, Lansing, Michigan, co-hosts with Joy Wagner, HR Manager of Granger Waste Services, also Lansing.

Cindy and Joy strive to share the corporate culture, personal stories, and unique personalities of those making a living in manufacturing today, in Michigan. With that in mind, this month MBN shares with you video footage of the March 21st 2024 celebration at the Michigan State capitol -- Rosie the Riveter Day at the Capitol.