Michigan Manufacturing Collective
Best Practices | Operational Excellence | Community
Our Mission
We are a community of manufacturing professionals who:
– Are passionate about operations, quality, and continuous improvement
– Share best practices and invest in automation and digital transformation
– Believe that people are our greatest asset
Together, we’re building a stronger and more robust manufacturing community in Michigan.
Michigan Manufacturing Collective
A peer-driven network focused on advancing operational excellence through collaboration. We bring together manufacturers, engineers, and leaders to share best practices, solve real-world challenges, and strengthen the future of American manufacturing—starting in Michigan.
Flexco – Event Recap
August 1, 2025 – Walker, MI
The Grand Rapids Manufacturing Collective gathered at Flexco for a session focused on operational excellence and workforce development. Over 35 manufacturing leaders from 20+ companies came together to share insights, tour a world-class facility, and learn how Flexco is transforming manufacturing through structured, people-first practices.
Topics Covered:
– Workforce training with Lean Six Sigma (170+ Yellow Belts trained)
– Tiered meeting structures that drive daily accountability
– Gemba walks and continuous improvement routines
– Flexco’s internal Productivity Platform for aligning teams and priorities
– Leadership insights inspired by Kind Folks Finish First by Sam Jacobs
Special thanks to Duane Bjork, James Kolodziej, and the Flexco team for hosting and sharing their approach to building a culture of excellence. The event reinforced what we believe: West Michigan manufacturers are stronger when they collaborate.
Twisthink – Event Recap
February 11, 2025 – Grand Rapids, MI
The Grand Rapids Manufacturing Collective kicked off 2025 with an impactful event at Twisthink HQ, focused on moving AI beyond the buzz and into practical, value-driven applications for manufacturing.
Attendees explored real-world use cases for AI in production environments, discussed the importance of data quality and digital maturity, and engaged with peers around strategies for continuous improvement and transformation.
Topics Covered:
– Converting manufacturing data into actionable insights
– AI tools for predictive maintenance and optimization
– Generative AI for simulation, planning, and decision-making
– The importance of clean, structured data and a clear data strategy
– Twisthink’s approach to innovation, collaboration, and transformation
Special thanks to Brad Natelborg and the Twisthink team for hosting us at their downtown Grand Rapids location.
Garrison Dental Solutions – Event Recap
December 13, 2025 – Spring Lake, MI
The Grand Rapids Manufacturing Collective came together at Garrison Dental Solutions for a half-day of connection, learning, and operational insight. The event included networking, a company presentation on Garrison’s approach to quality and manufacturing excellence, and a walkthrough of their production facility.
Attendees engaged in group discussions around continuous improvement, people-focused leadership, and the role of digital transformation in modern manufacturing. Special thank you to Brad Weiler and his operations team for hosting the Collective!
Boxed Water Is Better – Event Recap
June 14, 2024 – Holland, MI
Rick Kulas and the team at Boxed Water hosted the inaugural event of the Grand Rapids Manufacturing Collective featured peer networking, a sustainability-focused presentation by Boxed Water, a guided plant tour, and group discussion on operations excellence. Topics included continuous improvement, lean manufacturing practices, and digital transformation strategies.