New Addition to the Michigan "100 Over 100"

Though this now brings the number to something more like 105 Michigan companies over 100 years old, I love adding new businesses to the "century club:"  Independent Bank was founded in 1864 as the First National Bank of Ionia. Today, Independent Bank Corp. (Nasdaq symbols is IBCP), is a Michigan-based bank holding company with over 60 locations throughout the lower peninsula of Michigan.

Another U.S. Generational Business Over 200 Years Old

Bachman Funeral Home may appear to be like any other funeral home, but there have been changes in its 245 years as a business in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.  It started as a furniture carpentry shop, eventually focused solely on coffins, and then in 1910 became a funeral home.  Current owner and 8th generation family member John Bachman says the firm has been successful because it identified changing trends and is motivated by community - feeling respected, appreciated, and helping people around you.  This sense of community is prevalent in most of the old companies I have researched.  At over 200 years old, still owned and operated by descendants of the founding family, Bachman's definitely qualifies to be a member of the Henokeins Association.

Addition to the Michigan 100 Reinforces "Cluster" Theory

Thanks to Rick Garcia from the Historical Society of Michigan I have another addition to the list of Michigan companies over 100 years old: Eikenhout, Inc. of Grand Rapids has been providing quality building supplies since 1894.  Eikenhout increases the number of companies in Grand Rapids that have survived for over 100 years, providing further evidence that perhaps old companies do survive in "clusters."  Fully 20% of the Michigan 100 Over 100 are in the Grand Rapids area - and that doesn't count another 13 companies in nearby Holland/Zeeland!