Businesses

Southfield-based IT firm w3r Consulting has grown consistently and organically. Founded by two University of Michigan Dearborn IT students 18 years ago, w3r now has 300 employees and offices in five states. It is also one of Michigan’s largest minority-owned businesses. “Our goal right now is to grow the organization and help expedite the process by incorporating other businesses,” said Executive Vice President Keith Echols.

Originally located in the Oynx building, w3r recently moved to the Town Center. Echols and w3r looked for a location that had a welcoming environment for their clients and customers. “We built out the whole suite and made it very conducive for our team members,” said Echols. “We made sure our employees were connected to great amenities so we could attract and maintain talent.”

The company was so enthusiastic about its new location that they decided to celebrate with a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 19. “It was a way to reintroduce the company to the marketplace and to say thank you to those who have been with us for the past 18 years,” said Echols. Stakeholders, team members, customers and community organizations were among the guests. City of Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence joined the celebration along with other congressional, state, and local leaders. “People are still talking about the event,” said Echols. “We took it as an opportunity to say thank you. We made sure, from the time people walked in the door, they felt the w3r hospitality. I like to use the mayor’s words, ‘wow, I’ve never been to a ribbon cutting like this.’”

With customers dispersed throughout the metro Detroit area, location was key for w3r’s office. A Southfield base allows all customers to be within 15-20 minutes of the office. “Southfield itself represents our company,” said Echols. “It’s a great environment that is very open and receptive to organizations like us that are experiencing growth.” Echols also praised the city of Southfield’s leadership team for its support in providing resources and connections for businesses. “Southfield is very pro-business no matter what stage your company is in, which helps power, equip, and enable organizations to survive and thrive in the area.”

Aerotek Inc. is a leading provider of technical, professional and industrial recruiting and staffing services, and a valuable staffing partner with businesses in Southfield. “Aerotek recruiters have the expertise and local, industry-specific knowledge to locate, screen and place the most qualified professionals to meet each company’s unique staffing needs,” said director of business operations, Chris Anthony.

A family-oriented, team-driven company, Aerotek, with three decades of experience, fits candidates with the best suitable employer. Originally founded in 1983 to service staffing and recruiting for the aerospace and defense industry, today Aerotek has expanded into many industries. Aerotek’s mission is to bring great people and great organizations together.

“Southfield is an ideal location to serve our client base. Because of Southfield’s close proximity to every major highway, we’re able to work with companies in all area of Southeast Michigan efficiently and effectively,” said Anthony. Aerotek is located in the Southfield Civic Center. “In addition to Southfield’s large business population and central location to our client base, Southfield has a lot to offer our employees when a break from a hectic workday is needed – from restaurants and shopping to other recreational activities.”

Pepper Hamilton LLP is a multi-practice law firm with its Michigan presence located in the Southfield Town Center, 4000 Building, Suite 1800. The office represents clients in complex matters in a range of practice areas, including corporate and securities, environmental law, bankruptcy and reorganization, labor and employment, litigation and real estate law.  The firm employs more than 500 lawyers nationally.

Pepper has had a presence in Michigan since 1979.  Originally located in Detroit’s Renaissance Center, the office relocated to Southfield in 2011 in order to better serve its regional clients. The firm selected the City Center’s Town Center as its new location. “It had many of the amenities that we enjoyed for many years at the Renaissance Center – the indoor shops, hotels, restaurants and covered parking. It’s also more centrally located for our staff and attorneys,” said office administrator Larry Halicki. “We’re very happy here. It’s a great complex!”

Working closely with lawyers in Pepper’s other offices, the Detroit office blends Pepper’s depth of national expertise with the breadth of the Detroit office’s local experience. Pepper attorneys assist clients who have business interests in the manufacturing, auto, finance, retail, energy, food, transportation and technology industries in Michigan and throughout the country. Pepper attorneys serve as outside counsel for companies ranging from small start-ups to large multinationals in acquisitions, divestitures and all aspects of their day-to-day legal services.

Each Pepper office is active in its local community and serves as a base for the firm’s national and international work. The firm uses modern communications technology to link its offices and, when appropriate, staffs projects with lawyers from more than one office, enabling clients to benefit from the talents and experience of all of Pepper’s lawyers.

For more information about pepper Hamilton LLP’s services, call 248-359-7300.

AlixPartners, located at 2000 Town Center, has been in Southfield since its inception in 1981. The consulting firm specializes in four main disciplines: enterprise improvement, corporate turnaround and restructuring, financial advisement and information management.  “We consult in virtually every business venture from retail to healthcare,” Director of Communications Tim Yost.

The company began when founder Jay Alix relocated from Connecticut to Michigan, where he decided to lay the roots for his firm. In its early stages, AlixPartners built its reputation in restructuring and forensics, with clients such as Sanders and DeLorean. Over the years the firm has grown in size, expanding to thousands of offices all over the world. “AlixPartners is proud to call Southfield its home for more than three decades,” said Yost.