Blueprint For Success, City of Novi, Michigan (MI) Economic Development

Chain Drug Marketing Association, Inc. (CDMA)

Ever wonder where some of the over the counter prescription medicine comes from? Well, a number of those products are distributed by Chain Drug Marketing Association (CDMA). CDMA is a membership organization with over 120 members. Major clients are Sav-Mor and Sav-On Drug stores - small retail pharmacy businesses. Members own stock in CDMA - one share per member.

CDMA distributes the Quality Choice label, which has over 1,000 products. They are not the sole distributors of this product, but one of 52 in the country.

CDMA currently has 21 employees and has seen steady growth. Toward the end of 2006, the State of Michigan changed its drug regulations which forced the QC label to pull product and revise. Maintaining growth in this industry is difficult given state and federal regulations.

Profile Steel & Wire

Founded in 1963, Profile Steel has grown to be a major supplier of custom cold-rolled products. Selling steel and copper has declined over the years due to the auto industry, but with over 20 employees, this firm flattens steel and molding steel for many applications out of the auto industry. This company has been in Novi since 1992.

Each section of steel is rolled to close tolerances with a high quality surface finish to meet customers' standards. The efficiency of these high speed cold rolling capability, and uniformity of shape and dimensional control capability, enables the customer to reduce or eliminate secondary machining, reduce labor costs and minimize scrap.

The Art Institute of Michigan
Novi was our first location choice to open our new college campus because of the positive business environment, vibrant diverse and growing community, and overall access to a multitude of other communities within SE Michigan. In addition, Novi’s strong commitment to education made the partnership an easy decision. We are happy to be located in beautiful Novi and enjoy the many community benefits
-- Ted Blashak, President,
The Art Institute of Michigan

Toyota Boshoku
Toyota Boshoku America is proud to have recently invested more than $10 million in Novi and bringing many more high-paying research & development jobs. Novi is centrally located to Toyota and GM’s Engineering centers and a world-class International airport. Novi is a culturally diverse city that is friendly to our team members. This also affords us the availability of experienced and knowledgeable people. Novi leaders respond quickly to our team at Toyota Boshoku America and provide a true center for partnerships and collaboration that make us proud to be part of the fabric of the great state of Michigan. We are proud to call Novi our home base for research and development in the Americas.
-- Warner Allen,
Toyota Boshoku America

ITC Transmission Corporation
I would tell anyone if you're locating an office and you get the chance to meet the people from Novi and you get to do business here, you're going to stay.
-- Joe Welch, President and CEO,
ITC Transmission Corp.

General Filters
In terms of shopping and restaurants and the things people look for in a community, Novi is really second to none. The housing is beautiful, the school district is known for being exceptional… so in terms of people not familiar with the area, moving to Novi would be one of the best choices they could make.
-- John Redner, Owner,
General Filters

Walsh College
We have been here now about 15 years and I have to tell you the business, the civic, and the educational opportunities here are phenomenal. We have never seen such a tight network of cooperation between government, education, and business as we do here.
-- Stephanie Bergeron, President,
Walsh College

Ryder Systems, Inc.
I think Novi showed the most interest, the most initiative, the most desire to have us locate here. The City was one of the keys to our success.
-- Tom Jones, Senior Vice President,
Ryder System, Inc.

Ara Topouzian is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Novi. He is responsible for the coordination of the City’s economic development efforts for larger firms, corporations, and area employers.

Over 2,000 business call Novi their home. In an economy which has been struggling for some time, there are many good and positive stories about local businesses. This new column will highlight new and existing businesses in Novi that have been recently personally visited by Ara Topouzian.

November/December 2008

Chain Drug Marketing Association, Inc. (CDMA)

Profile Steel & Wire

Past Blueprints for Success