SOUTHFIELD, Mich.–Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University has officially launched the Southeast Michigan Sustainable & Resilient Supplier Program, a strategic initiative designed to safeguard the state’s manufacturing base and strengthen national industrial stability. Supported by a $750,000 grant from the Erb Family Foundation, the program provides small-to-medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) with the technical expertise and resources required to navigate the dual challenges of sustainability and digital production transformation.
The program delivers a comprehensive framework of technical assistance to help Michigan manufacturers with meet evolving customer requirements and international regulations. Participating manufacturers will receive assessments that will evaluate how to reduce energy consumption and emissions as well as improve operational efficiencies through adoption for industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence (AI) smart manufacturing technologies. The program will also SMMs with the launch of new physical products and to diversify into growing and emerging markets.
“Michigan is the heart of American manufacturing, and this program is about ensuring our local suppliers have the tools to remain globally competitive, sustainable and resilient,” said Dan Radomski, CEO of Centrepolis Accelerator. “By helping our state’s small-to-medium manufacturers adopt advanced technologies and diversify into critical sectors like defense and electrification, we are directly addressing domestic supply chain gaps. This initiative ensures that Michigan drives the current demand for reindustrialization and remains the essential foundation for our national security and industrial independence.”
Beyond operational efficiency, the Michigan Sustainable & Resilient Supplier Program focuses on market diversification. The program helps local suppliers’ transition into high-growth, strategically significant sectors. This effort is particularly critical for the defense industrial base, which has seen a significant decline in small business participation over the last decade.
By integrating sustainability, advanced technology, and market diversification, this program ensures Michigan’s manufacturing ecosystem remains a vital contributor to both state prosperity and national industrial sovereignty.
About Centrepolis Accelerator
The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is dedicated to accelerating the growth of small-to-mid-sized manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs. By providing access to funding, technical expertise, and a vast network of suppliers, Centrepolis ensures that the next generation of physical products is designed, engineered, and manufactured in Michigan.
About Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 private, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932 and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs @ LTU as part of its growing center for professional development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report list it in the top tier of best Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports
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