In the area of commerce, the term "bankable" is used often when describing a probability factor that a fill-in-the-blank has the potential to contribute to a hefty return on the investment.
Right now, many people across the globe have gathered around the television, transistor radio and the laptop to catch news about their country’s athletes and their advancement toward that elusive Olympic Gold Medal. Elizabeth Warren said, “There is nobody in this country who got rich on their own." As we gather with our hopes and dreams pinned on that one athlete, that
quote reminds me that no one gets to where they are alone.
In this world economy, the sum of the parts often come together to make us whole and sometimes in the mix, West Michigan plays a role in this glory felt the world over.
Grand Rapids-based mechanical contractor and fabricator Andy J. Egan Co. contributed expertise in the process of extracting rare minerals from Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah. Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals are born out of the contribution they make to the mine’s success.
In the extraction of rare elements needed to process these prized medals, a diet of round-the-clock drilling, blasting, loading, hauling and crushing often mimics the hard work of the athlete. Many long hours of training and the assistance of many ensure the odds may be a bit more favorable when striving to achieve the reward on such a world stage as the Olympics.
And while we, as a region, are no strangers to the world’s stage, it is worth noting that the Andy J. Egan Co. is not only a key player in Olympic glory, but they are also making strides in other areas as well.
As a fabricator, they have made their mark working on place-making projects such as the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Egan is also changing our planet for the better with their contribution to the changing bio-fuel industry and, most notably, a new plant in California.
In the process of making one of these bio-fuel plants, Egan, with the assistance of their client(s), must create the entire system here in Grand Rapids before it is disassembled and then rebuilt at the destination.
The excellence they create in their tiny (by the world’s standards) 60,000-sqaure-foot shop should make anyone who says you cannot make a global difference with your firm think twice before considering relocating to greener shores. Egan serves worldwide clients like Siemens, Blackmer and Eaton.
Harry Entern, statistics expert at
The Guardian, was recently hired by
New York Magazine to compile data on a series of stars whose combined stats would be drawn not only from the usual 'how much money they make' or their contribution to the box office, but other factors often overlooked such as likeability, awards and their influence on the studio system because of past work.
Twilight’s star Taylor Lautner, born in Grand Rapids, landed on the
New York Magazine “Hollywood’s Most Valuable List” at number 49 in this 100-point spread.
Lautner, who has often proudly mentioned his West Michigan roots, has garnered some global influence, too. I was surprised to see that the young man landed at number three on the “Most Global” ranking. Daniel Radcliffe and Shia Labeaouf landed respectfully at positions one and two on this top ten list that also includes actors like Robert Downey Jr., Will Smith, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
It is enough to make one beat their West Michigan cheerleader chest in approval when someone from our region accelerates so quickly in the movie world.
True, Mr. Lautner, with his Olympic-like body, has not brought home any London gold medals, but his impact is truly worldwide. Michigan-based athletes like the legendary Michael Phelps and Jordyn Wieber, however, do keep our peninsular state on the Olympics world stage in their own way, just as Egan has accomplished in their workday world.
"Learning of the role our products are playing in sourcing the Olympic medals makes you think about the potential impact Egan has all over the world,” says Egan President Tom Jasper. “[Our] employees are building components and projects in our Grand Rapids shop that are touching countless people in many places all over the world. It's an exciting and humbling thought."
As I have discussed over the last few weeks, we need not freak out so much when someone leaves, because not everyone will stay. Movement is a good thing.
So, while Egan is one local firm celebrated by me this week, it may be accurate to state that the sum of our exported star parts could give birth to a local business/celebrity version of Six Degrees of (Grand Rapids) Kevin Bacon.
So go ahead West Michigan, have fun with it. Look at that big project happening on our planet and you may discover that that they have a part that comes from here. Six degrees is not that far anymore.
The Future Needs All of Us.
Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Email:
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Editor's Update: Last week we featured Gay Day as an event that represented the welcoming attitude of the East Hills Neighborhood. Sadly, this day was soiled for many attednees as a group of protestors crossed the line in what is considered appropriate behavior. These protestors clearly crossed this line by advocating for the rape of the women attending, even going as far to say they "would enjoy doing it." I encourgae you to weigh in on this serious matter. Please visit http://nowgr.org/ to see the video and discover a few links you can use to log in your thoughts on the matter with the city of Grand Rapids. This is not how our city operates and no one should be allowed to taint other groups who wish to celebrate our diversity in a peaceable fashion. Thank you.