Mark Sanchez, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Journalist Profile

Articles

Tariffs squeeze MillerKnoll and Steelcase profits as corporate orders surge

1 day ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

Furniture makers Steelcase Inc. and MillerKnoll Inc. each moved into the summer with sales momentum and expectations that growth will continue. Both companies this week reported solid sales growth for their most recent three-month periods, although executives say tariffs will continue to hit their bottom lines as business picks up from large corporate clients redoing their offices and the industry recovers from the lingering effects of the pandemic.
BAMF Health forms national clinical trial network to boost new cancer treatments

3 days ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

BAMF Health wants to accelerate the deployment of advanced cancer treatments with the formation of a national clinical trial network. Through BAMF RadioNexus, the Grand Rapids-based BAMF Health will assist and support health systems that want to become involved in clinical trials for new radiopharmaceuticals that drug companies develop and introduce. BAMF Health has enlisted one large, national health system for RadioNexus and expects to sign more by the end of 2025.
Portage-based skilled trades contractor plans $12.4M expansion as demand surges

3 days ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

Portage-based skilled trades contractor Pro Services Inc. plans to invest $12.4 million to expand its operations in Southwest Michigan and accommodate strong growth. The company projects its expansion could create 250 jobs and double its workforce in the next few years. The jobs will pay an average starting wage of $28.07 an hour, plus benefits, according to Pro Services.
State backs $20M Grand Rapids-based fund for entrepreneurs of color

4 days ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

A Grand Rapids-based venture capital fund formed six years ago to support entrepreneurs of color plans to create a second investment fund totaling up to $20 million with state backing. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board this morning approved investing up to $9.8 million as a limited partner in New Community Transformation Fund II LP.
AI-driven hiring platform WedgeHR passes $10M in capital raised

4 days ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

WedgeHR’s latest capital raise brought in funding to support growth and also a new set of investors who can position the company for the future. The capital round included 25 investors. Among them are former executives at Terryberry Co. LLC — Scott VanderLeek, Mike Byam, and David Beemer — and BDev Ventures, a Mountain View, Calif.-based venture capital fund that invests in business-to-business software companies.
Grand Rapids-based Waséyabek wins $205M federal contract for national labs

5 days ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

A subsidiary of tribally owned Waséyabek Development Co. has landed a major federal contract to manage three national research laboratories. Grand Rapids-based Waséyabek Federal Services’ deal with the National Energy and Technology Laboratory (NETL) has a total value of $205 million over five years. Waséyabek Federal Services and two subcontractors, Chantilly, Va.-based Amentum Holdings Inc.
Sleeping Giant partners with HR veteran to launch ‘human capital’ platform

5 days ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

After working for 25 years in human resources, Kelly Conway now aims to build a $100 million “human capital” company of her own to serve clients. Backed financially by Kalamazoo-based investment firm Sleeping Giant Capital, Conway recently acquired Grand Rapids-based Pondera Advisors LLC, a leadership consulting and assessment firm, and Atlanta, Ga.-based Rep-Lite LLC, a national provider of outsourced sales talent solutions that operates virtually.
MSU president urges action as research jobs face federal funding threat

1 week ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

Reduced federal research funding for universities could have long-lasting effects on the U.S., derailing potential life-saving treatments while threatening hundreds of jobs in biomedical centers like Grand Rapids. That’s according to Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz, who spoke Thursday afternoon to the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids urging members to begin advocating to public officials to sustain funding.
Lakeshore manufacturer Structural Concepts sells to Japanese firm in $375M deal

1 week ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

Structural Concepts Corp., a Norton Shores-based maker of food display cases, will merge into a Japanese corporation that produces ice and refrigeration products for the food service industry. Under the proposed transaction, the American subsidiary for Hoshizaki Corp., Hoshizaki USA Holdings Inc., will acquire SC Holding Corp., the holding company for Structural Concepts.
Marriott hotel project clears final zoning hurdle in Grand Haven

1 week ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Mark Sanchez

Plans for a new hotel in downtown Grand Haven cleared final zoning approval this week as developers aim to secure adequate parking for the peak summer travel period to meet city requirements. The Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved a final rezoning for a 1.41-acre site at Washington Street and Third Street on the east end of the downtown that was once home to a Fifth Third Bank office. As proposed, the five-story, 128-room Residence Inn by Marriott planned by Grand Rapids–based BDR Inc.