Northern Michigan Companies Are Focus Of Pure Michigan Business Connect Vendor Summit Today In Gaylord

GAYLORD, Mich., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation are "looking North" today with a Pure Michigan Business Connect vendor summit being held in Gaylord.

"We're pleased to be meeting today with more than 100 different Michigan businesses, many from northern Michigan, attending the summit as part of Consumers Energy's $1 billion commitment to increase our purchase of goods and services from Michigan companies," said Dan Malone, the company's senior vice president of distribution and customer operations.

Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources.

Companies can find new ways to raise capital, get access to professional business services at little or no cost, connect with each other through a new business-to-business network, and identify potential supplier opportunities, while developing resources to improve their supply chains.

 "Consumers Energy helped build the foundation for Pure Michigan Business Connect and we commend the company for its commitment to growing its business with Michigan suppliers," said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. "Today's supplier summit, with more than 400 procurement needs from Consumers, Moran Iron Works, and Henkels and McCoy, will mean significant growth opportunities for Northern Michigan companies."

Saginaw-based Pumford Construction is one example of a Michigan company that's added jobs as a result of being awarded contracts from Consumers Energy as part of Pure Michigan Business Connect. 

Pumford was hired by Consumers Energy as the primary contractor for new LEED-designed service centers in Groveland (Oakland County) and West Branch (Ogemaw County), as well as a new office for the Five Channels hydroelectric facility (Iosco County). 

Separately, Consumers Energy this year has invested $19.3 million in new fleet purchases with 15 Michigan businesses, providing vehicles, equipment, trailers, and upfitting services. The companies include: Red Holman GMC; Fitzgibbons Fleet Fabricators; Wolverine Freightliner; Wolverine Truck Sales; Cannon Equipment; Knapheide Truck Equipment; VIP Truck Sales; Vermeer of Michigan; JDE distributing; AIS Equipment; Carleton Equipment; Eastman Fire Protection Equipment; SLH metal Products; Michigan CAT; Automotive Services.

Consumers Energy recently increased to $1 billion its commitment to purchase Michigan-made goods and services over five years, from 2011-2016.  To-date the Company has accomplished $735 million of this commitment.

Consumers Energy's commitment to increase its business contracts with Michigan companies is in addition to the $2 billion annually it now spends in the state.  These investments are in customer service, electric and natural gas operations, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Companies interested in learning more about Pure Michigan Business Connect are encouraged to visit the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's website, www.michiganadvantage.org/Business-Connect or Consumers Energy at www.consumersenergy.com/puremichigan

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information regarding Consumers Energy, visit us at: www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

SOURCE Consumers Energy