This article appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

For Midland-based Case Systems and BOSTONtec, improving the lives of people in their community is a combination of giving back, volunteerism and an understanding of how to make the greatest impact.

Community engagement is key to the culture that drives Case/BOSTONtec, a national leader in designing and manufacturing laminate cabinet and ergonomic workstation solutions for health care, education and industrial warehouse environments. That community effort is why they were the Manufacturing Community Impact Award recipients for 2023.

Kelly Wehner, President of Midland-based Case Systems Inc. and BOSTONtec, sees the connection between the company and community as a mutually beneficial relationship. After all, the people who drive their success as a company are the families and stakeholders who live just outside the walls of Case’s facility, which has been a Midland landmark for over 65 years.

“We are highly involved and supportive of the surrounding community because our people come from our communities,” says Wehner. “Our community supports us and we need to honor that partnership we’ve developed. We do that by giving back and showing our employees and stakeholders we care.”

Being recognized for their efforts is, of course, very humbling and an honor, says Jeff Clark, Director of Human Resources at Case/BOSTONtec. That credit, however, largely goes to the Community Giving Committee which was formed several years ago to develop an understanding of what’s needed in the community and direct resources accordingly.

“The Community Giving Committee is really the driving force for why we received this award,” Clark says. “However, our leadership team also deserves credit for encouraging community involvement, and we couldn’t do what we do without the support of all our employees.”

The group is comprised of eight to 10 employee volunteers who meet monthly and make decisions on how to direct the company’s charitable giving and volunteerism. One cause that has been dear to the heart of Case/BOSTONtec is The Bridge Food Center in Midland, which serves the community’s Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) population.

The company keeps a monthly rotating schedule of volunteers to work at The Bridge, which is vital considering the store is run and managed by volunteers, including Marsha Stamas, who serves as the store manager.

Stamas says they love serving with the Case/BOSTONtec volunteers.

“They all bring a really positive attitude, and they just really pull together to not only serve but to also learn about The Bridge and the community impact,” says Stamas.

Supporting The Bridge is just one example of the company’s efforts to support and enrich the Great Lakes Bay region. They’ve also developed relationships with local schools and higher education, says Clark. Every summer, Case/BOSTONtec serves as a site for a skilled trades camp where students can come into the facility and learn about manufacturing operations for part of a day. They also participate in MiCareerQuest, which is a program that allows students to learn about career paths in skilled trades through interactive experiences.

“We want to do our part to help students under-stand there are lucrative careers in manufacturing,” says Clark.

Case/BOSTONtec’s focus on improving lives and making the greatest impact has driven their success. For Wehner, the award recognition is a validation of their company’s values.

“We always put people first,” says Wehner. “Whether that’s our employees, our customers, vendors or our community. We have a responsibility to all of our stakeholders.”

The Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Small Tier is part of the annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards which celebrates the leaders and products that are pushing the industry forward. Learn more about the awards program and gala.

The 2023 Manufacturing Community Impact award was sponsored by Manufacturing Technology Mutual Insurance Company (MTM). Visit online: mtmic.com.