Escanaba EMP Bought by Swedish Concentric- Going Electric, Going Auto and Going Michigan! (Läget? 🤷 )

Delta County Michigan
Homeland to Hot Spot
Concentric makes farm hydraulics

Concentric has a plan to improve its electrification strategy to meet global and market changes in electric vehicles. According to the statement release David Wooley, CEO of Concentric states, "This is a landmark transaction, and a step change in Concentric’s electrification strategy as we dramatically increase our capacity, technological know-how and product portfolio to accelerate our growth in electrical products. We are now on track to beat our ambitious target of having 20% of group sales stemming from electrical products by 2025."

The actual press release can be found at Concentric AB acquires EMP Inc for MSEK 1,260 (MUSD 147) 

EMP is an Escanaba US producer of electric and mechanical water and oil pumps, electric fans, thermal management systems and precision machined components and the purchase will push them more toward e-Fans, e-Water Pumps, etc... that are used in cars, trucks and other types of vehicles.

The Strategy for EMP Purchase?

What is likely happening here is that there is a growing interest in developing electric vehicles and thus investing in local technologies that can be exported for bigger markets both within the U.S. and other locations. Such a purchase could be a strategy to acquire new technologies, develop new products and/or break into markets. i.e. electric vehicles. (You can read more about Concentric HERE. Take note of the financials HERE and some of the trends you might see). 

Just as sort of stick your thumb in the air 👍 I would suspect Concentric wants to get more involved in U.S. vehicle market in a much bigger way (See a similar sized small manufacturer purchase of geographic significance in the Allied Enterprises Acquisition). The acquisition (of both EMP and Allied Enterprises) were in cash (I didn't look around to check out any other acquisitions), focused on specific auto application, and at a time of heightened national interest in electric vehicles could mean they have pre-existing product interest/market and they expect the return to be significant.

 (Remember cash is king and it also allows for maximum management flexibility. In addition, it could also mean that synergies are being created among a number of smaller businesses and the ROI is expected to be high when they are in alignment. One might also add in the value of being a wholly own subsidiary to create R&D advances. You will notice Technology + Innovation = Sustainability on their site. Don't really know because it depends on the company's mid term strategy...lets just see if anything else interesting happens in the future.🤔)

If your interested in the company's stock Concentric AB (publ) (COIC.ST) land/or click Yahoo Finance where you can read much more about the stock and its history. When you browse the company news you will find information on a new VP, contracts for electric pumps for heavy duty truck, pumps for hydrogen fuel cells, electrohydrolic steering for American vehicles, etc. etc. etc. that give hints to the company's direction.

We can also review the 2020 Concentric Annual Report and notice that North America is their biggest market 36% and their sales are in 59% trucks. While they may be seeking to grow other product avenues it becomes likely they are for right now focused on trucks/cars in the U.S. That may or may not include industrial equipment and perhaps even specialized work for other industries aerospace, military, etc...(We just have to see how things shape up.). There could be some indication they will be spending more heavily on R&D and want to keep that knowledge close to home. 

The Economy

Producing local e-technologies in Michigan is also important as it can help restore solid paying jobs, attract intellectual capital for future growth, and encourage other companies to invest in similar successful strategies that leads to longer tail economic benefits. Attracting investment can improve the fundamentals of local economies through find a pathway of connecting small towns like Escanaba and Gladstone to the global economy. 

Currently the global economy (specifically the American auto industry) are experiencing  persistent supply chain lags that must be addressed if the U.S. hopes to be self-sufficient in its technologies (See Supply Chain). This may or may not get better but we are still at the mercy of others for our essential supplies (Not a good place to be in.)That will including drawing in Foreign Direct Investment and creating interfirm linkages that raise total value for everyone (See Inter Firm Linkages). Companies such as Concentric may want to expand their operations in the US/Michigan as well as locate themselves closer to complementary economic activities. (To understand how and why companies make global decisions to invest take a look at World Investment Report 2021).

Delta County (Escanaba and Gladstone) can/is be an attractive place to invest for innovative and new technology companies focused on key industries. It has the right environment, basic infrastructures, and local skills to match engineering and small scale/custom manufacturing that can be shipped in multiple ways. It can also be even more helpful if there is a concerted effort to attract certain types of firms to the area to build local capacity.(I worked on an example of how this might work but from the framework of small scale regional investment in the tourism-micro manufacturing sector Attracting SME Investment Delta County. There is a lot more support for this in other articles but this is just one example.).

Businesses that invest in Delta County MI can become important suppliers for Great Lakes auto, truck, robotic, space, etc... manufacturers then that might be a game changer for towns like Escanaba/Gladstone. Especially if engineering, design, and small scale manufacturing can be matched with other strategies that relate to attracting small business, rebuilding the downtown, and widening appeal of tourism to retain/attract talent. (...as long as significant wealth and investment is retained in the area that leads to further wealth development. See Transactional Clusters Theory.).

There are a couple of great articles so I'm not going to rewrite all of the details.

Concentric AB acquires EMP Inc for MSEK 1,260 (MUSD 147) in a transformational deal to support the e-pump electrification strategy

Engineered Machined Products in Escanaba to be acquired by Swedish company

Side note: Let's wait and see what happens. If I had the time it would be possible to trace the supply chain and resources as they are being drawn into the area creating a type of stronger understanding of how these things work. I might try using a hashtag #DeltaCountyDestination so I can pull back up the article to look at them at a latter date. Assuming I stay on top of it.

China's Hypersonic Weapons Test ‘Concerning’: Gen. Milley

General Milley discusses the nature of a changing military system in response to the "significant" technological event posed by the supersonic missile test (There are now significant risks. We must not be Rome). We have the capability to build things better then our competitors with more features, and with rapid innovation but we must want it as a society (Look at rapid innovation development systems i.e. cluster development). We have been bickering and arguing over relatively small potatoes but not getting in on what is big and what is important (I'm not saying clusters are the best idea because mine isn't even a finished theory. I'm saying I'm not sure if I'm seeing another way other then to launch an American Renaissance through pushing R&D, STEM, international investment, diversity, educational improvements, etc... in a way that impacts all of society around our strategic direction and universal values.). 

We have multiple industries that need to be updated that include space, military, renewable energies, telecommunications, etc... One of the only ways I can think of to overcome this tech gap is to build economic clusters designed to increase innovation and then spread that innovation across American manufacturing (and other strategic partners) to move to the next digital platform (...or maybe we can go back and just throw stones and spears at each other again. I think I saw my childhood slingshot in some boxes. I don't recommend that approach.🤷). 

Watch the video for yourself.  We have everything we need to leap forward except a point/strategic direction to sail all ships/entities towards in 20 years, the will to compete as a unified nation that views itself with a mission (Its core national reason for existence), and maximum diversified human capital engagement to meet those challenges in a way that a society bent on "sameness" will have difficulty.

Diversity is messy but when you get everyone rowing in the same direction....they can solve problems that others can't even begin to think of because they don't have the collective neural bandwidth from different kinds of world views/experiences to see problems from so many different directions (collective conscious expansion.). It requires a level of universalization of values so everyone knows they are on the same team and solving the same problem. 

This is where we need to take a good look at ourselves (and our political choices. This isn't for or against anyone...just a general saying.) and say, "Are we really doing everything we can to make our country the strongest with the most options?" If your/we not feeling good about your/our answer you/we might need to self reflect more. Think about it.....what has changed in the last 5 years? Are we feeling secure as #1?

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society Discovers Three 1800s Ships Near Grand Marais, Mich

 Very nice article for those who like shipwrecks in the U.P.......

October 21, 2021 Escanaba City Hall Meeting. "Who Done It?" and "Is Anyone Else Still Doing It?"

This is an interesting meeting to say the least. 😬 Seems like there are some great things going on in Esky the town is coming together on some important key directives that could impact their future. There is a little drama toward the end of the video. 🧐 A little tid bit on a contractor because this is often one of the common places such activities occur. It is also precisely why looking at the books from time to time encourages checks and balances on behaviors. Similarly, audit and reviews can be helpful in finding discrepancies. 

A publication by the Columbia Law School discusses the benefits of "spot checks" and whistle blowers as well as some other places to check for inappropriate behaviors from the Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity article, 'Taking a Byte out of Corruption'. Sometimes poking around at different activities leads to whole new discoveries. The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

 What I can say is that taking money from the city is the same as taking it out of the hands of its citizens; stealing from a community. Sometimes investigations are not publicized because they aren't finished, could have more to them, and incorrect information could falsely hurt people (lots of different reasons and I'm probably missing a few.). That is why its always best to bring forward issues when people are first aware of them to reduce damage and improve options (We can keep going back to this concept of "If I was a person who knew something I might want to report it right away?" ...but that is just me. I've seen people debate that or not say anything when they should have and in part they become morally responsible.🤷)

When potential foul play is involved.....it should be reviewed with care and discretion because one thing about human behavior that is likely true....its patterned often around subconscious emotional needs that lead to cyclical thinking and in turn to repeated behaviors at other places and times (At least without critical examination.). Thus a person who engaged in a willful act that takes significant cognitive engagement likely has done similar things in other places (...leading to a kind of data trail. Whether or not that data is available, where it can be found or how to draw are different kinds of questions. 'Physiological and behavioral patterns of corruption')

Looking for Fresh Fish Around the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes were once a popular commercial fishing location with a number of successful operations that have faded out in the last century. As with many things within our environment we overfished, over ate, and didn't consider alternative sources until things sort of dried up. Other locations such as San Diego have brought back parts of their commercial fishing industry and I suspect so can the Great Lakes with improvements in technology and coordinated environmental strategies. 

Diving with Fish

(Not to mention I still have a fantasy dream of buying a small commercial fishing/diving vessel and working a couple of days a week fishing for a local store or two. I know its sort of silly but I figure it would get me on the water and with updates in technology I can bring my lap top. Its a little like owning a small nostalgic hobby farm or hardware store. I know...not for everyone! 🎣).

(Ok sorry...I was dreaming of growing a long beard and putting on rubber overalls.  Let us get back to the essential purpose of the post. Where do You find locally sourced fish?)

In collaboration the Minnesota Sea Grant and the Sea Grant programs in Illinois-Indiana, Michigan (Sea Grant Michigan), Ohio, New York, Vermont/Lake Champlain and Wisconsin created a website for people looking for fresh and farm raised fish around the Great Lakes. 

Here it is! Fresh Fish Finder 

Kind of a Side Note. Delta County Michigan once had a thriving commercial fishing industry. There are a number of small fishing villages outside the city of Escanaba Michigan (Thinking Wells for example). You can learn more about the local industry at Delta County Historical Society (They also would take a donation I'm sure if your into investing in understanding our past so we can understand our future. Go ahead and get in contact with them. Also I do a little shipwreck diving so I support historical and archeological type institutions.)

You can learn about the long closed Hansen & Jensen Fish House in Escanaba and some of the fishing boat fleet they maintained. 

You may also want to reach about the Michigan Senate commercial fishing licenses Daily Press article '

Senate approves commercial fishing reform bill' and Michigan Senate Bill 0251 sponsored by Senator Ed McBroom (UP Senator)

Climate Change Coming? Government Agencies Adjust

Climate changes is a big discussion that could have real consequences. Some countries are trying to overcome environmental challenges and some countries are trying to circumnavigate factoring those costs into production/consumption. I've included a few pieces of literature from the news as well as the key points from a number of different government sources such as the White House, Department of Defense (DOD), The Lancet, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Forest Fires
A severe weather pattern?

No matter what your perspective on climate change I think it would be reasonable to believe that protecting our environment is important and making those changes that are feasible and make sense would be in our best interest. 

I'm wondering how the discussion at COP 26 will turn out? COP 26

BBC brought forward some a discussion on trees emitting more CO2 than taking in....'Climate change: Greenhouse gas build-up reached new high in 2020'. CNN put a solid discussion together in 'Report warns of climate change's 'code red' impact on health'. Harvard Gazette also has some additional information 'Viewing climate change as a human health problem'. 

You may want to read the highlights from a number of different agencies and how they are going to deal with climate change. 

DOD Climate Risk Analysis

The DOD Combat Risk Analysis seeks to understand climate change on the American military and how the military can adjust and adapt to those changes. Large scale weather distortions are likely to impact effectiveness and readiness so new training and equipment will likely be needed. That is my guess anyway. 🤔 Read for yourself:

-DOD needs to consider the effects of climate change throughout its networks, systems and activities. 

-Climate change can impact strategic partners like Guam as well as change the artic creating geostrategic competition. 

-DOD mitigation efforts will be outlined in the DoD Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP) as well as the Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan (SRIP).

-Changes might include training for extreme weather but also may include such things as making equipment more weather resistant.

The Countdown The Lancet

Drought Increase
The Lancet

The Lancet provides depth on the topic from researchers in the publication Lancet Countdown . If you don't know anything about the Lancet they publish medical related discoveries of scientists throughout the world. 

You might need to join and login HERE to read the full report:

-Lancet Countdown represents the consensus of leading researchers from 43 academic institutions and UN agencies.

-44 indicators indicate health impacts of climate change and the current health consequences of the delayed/inconsistent responses of countries.

-Need to accelerate green technologies and industries. (This is where clusters may be helpful in accelerating certain developments).

-Infectious illness may increase that include heat vulnerability, food sources, etc...

-Move beyond prediction and into actual action.

White House Climate Change

According to a  October 21st 2021White House Report entitled, 'Report on the Impact of Climate Change on Migration' which is the first time the White House is creating the link between climate change and migration. 

1. 21.5 million people were forcibly displaced each year by sudden onset weather-related hazards between 2008 and 2016

2. Many of those displaced and migrating moving to urban areas.

3. Relationship between climate change, migration, and conflict (This is sort of normal in all species when the environment is disrupted.). 

Department of Homeland Security

1. Safeguard the homeland from current and projected climate change-driven disasters;

2. Inform Americans so that they can adapt to current and projected risks and increase national resilience;
3. Foster resilience, adaptation, and recovery efforts that reduce risk and harm from climate change, and that address associated disparities such as those based on race and income level, pursue environmental justice, and create opportunity for all Americans;
4. Enable a thriving economy that supports our national security and way of life; and,
5. Model sustainable resilience while remaining fully operational despite the impact of climate change on DHS personnel, assets, and facilities.

How do they plan on doing this?

Line of Effort 1: Empower Individuals and Communities to Build Climate Resilience
Line of Effort 2: Build Readiness to Respond to Increases in Climate Driven Emergencies
Line of Effort 3: Incorporate Foresight and Climate Science into Strategy, Policy, Programs, and Budgets
Line of Effort 4: Invest in a Sustainable and Resilient DHS
Line of Effort 5: Develop a Climate of Component resilience plans throughout DHS, which focus on four broad Change-Informed DHS Workforce  

Department of Defense, Office of the Undersecretary for Policy (Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities). 2021. Department of Defense Climate Risk Analysis. Report Submitted to National Security Council.

Follow Up on Hate: Human Capital and National Development

There are certain behaviors that when members of our society engage in them they should be taken seriously as they strike at the core of who we are as a nation and our ability to influence the world around us (Meaning different types of people and backgrounds.). Some of my readers are aware my family was targeted by a group of individuals seeking both personal and financial gain by exploiting racial and religious differences that ended in people getting hurt (People from their own community. I would consider myself part of that community but a number of people within this ex-amateur sports mob have a different perspective and thus "community" can be different for different types of people. As of now I'm still here seeking to draw the non-hate supporting community members into a more appropriate shared identity. That will be increasingly difficult where hate and dysfunctional networks have become embedded and "legitimized" in illegitimate ways. Worse, such behaviors become emboldened because we haven't addressed them locally or nationally. You can see how one is not so different than the other. 🤔). 

As a nation, destructive ethnic and racial oriented behaviors should be discouraged socially and legally if we hope to successfully compete on a global stage in the next era (There are two different legal systems at play here but I don't want to get into the philosophical and political outcomes at this moment.). We have made a strong effort on a federal level but we need a lot more work on the local level to ensure essential American values and basic concepts of justice are at the front of decision making. Its not just about local elections but about time honored traditions we all agree with....a sense of fair play is part of that.

What do I mean by a next era? Technology is rapidly changing and people are communicating across the globe with increasing ease.  That also means ideas will spread rapidly and those nations that are at the pulse of those beliefs and values that resonate with world followers will have influence while those who do not will lose position. China is on the rise and will be major competitor with the US in terms of contracts, business, influence, infrastructure, philosophy, finance, etc..... We really can't afford to not be the better version of ourselves....the recent supersonic nuclear launches and unknown technology discoveries should be a warning bell to our government-political-business stakeholders that thoughtful change is needed.

As technology adjusts drawing together our economic and social networks we will want to transition smoothly a nation to attract global investment interest from far reaching international sources. (Wealth accumulation and access to power will likely shift. To be the center of intellectual capital that leads to innovation and advance manufacturing emergence means we must think like a global people rooted in our most basic American values..). We should learn to watch the happenings of the world and the historical patterns other nations experienced trying to modernize. We should take heart that we are at this time in history able to choose a path with the most options and likely the least social upheaval (Assuming we actually want to be in a leadership position in the next era.....or be bested by emerging economies. Perhaps fighting over fewer resources is our preferred path. I hope not but....we have been sliding in competitiveness in recent decades but haven't found an agreed upon strategic path forward. 🤷)

To enhance our shared visions we should consider leaning toward universal application of our laws if we hope to have higher levels of institutional trust and global followership. Institutional trust improves upon the willingness of people to follow the law and act with prosocial intent toward loftier goals that include other societal stakeholders (Shadow markets destroy economies. Institutional trust crowds out shadow market activities. Laws ought to be applied with wisdom and moral conscious to ensure they stay close to the path of "truth".) Local and national governments will furthermore need additional coordination on important projects so our leaders will need to think beyond themselves when making national decisions of strategic importance. (We often elect officials on showmanship and not on skill or ability. Not always...there are some really great politicians out there but the environment turned sour in recent history and that is lowering the decision making caliber of the entire group.). 

All of our economy is based on human activities and choices that leads to a concept of capital (See definition of Economy..) Knowledge creation, worker engagement, and workforce optimization are key components to effective Human Capital Management (Movahedi, et. al. 2015). Without the ability to draw in full support of our citizenry from as diverse background as possible we will have cut the shaft that produces the wheat. In turn we would have sliced our human capital significantly in a way where it can become a troublesome limp that will plague us into the next era (In other words, its time to settle the racism and bigotry issues fully so we can fulfill our national purpose of freedom and opportunity that leads to human capital development/performance. Prompting of performance mixed with the right social/economic catalyst could spark a growth spurt as we embrace rapid modernization. i.e. an American Renaissance. It is possible to show historically and with scientific support how major shifts in technologies, information, environmental factors, etc... at the same time can launch growth eras...that when change our fundamental assumptions that allow for advancement across multiple sectors of society. When that happens we have a beginning of renaissance type growth. ) 

I suspect in the near future we are going to be forced to make a commitment to start mastering our new environment or we will start seeing the effects of being swamped by an inability to make choices to navigate changes (i.e. always in crisis mode and running out of resources. Difficulties mustering political capital around key issues because we have splintered in our central beliefs.). Hate and bigotry takes a toll on our human capital and when certain behaviors are given a free pass as they signal to lots of other people that the system has difficulty seeing the bigger purpose of its existence and thus is on decline as an institution. The institution doesn't exist to employ people and for its own benefit (some of that is likely true ... or at least subjectively seen that way) but to foster safe, fair, and productive environments where economies flourish through creating the legal/ethic/moral environment that optimizing human performance opportunities/development.

Hate, racism, and bigotry are the enemies of strong nations and suck the life out of hope and opportunity for huge sections of society (...that creates the root of instability.). Its a demotivator that leaves marks on people for generations. When we stifle human capital because someone(s) of a particular background, religion or race can manipulate our legal structures for personal gain we have serious serious problems as they relate to exportability of legitimacy (Meaning universalizing laws that apply fairly across society creates "buy in" to the values inherent in the judicial system and in turn create social stability. So...decisions made help to define the system thus it must always act with integrity that orients toward truth and ultimate principles of justice.). 

The perpetrators in this case knew what they were doing (i.e. hinting about the money they will receive while trying to "set you up" Multiple specific incidents of manipulative and dishonest aggression for self enrichment and social gain.) with "intent" to cause harm under false pretenses. Likewise, it appears they knew they were getting a free pass for such behaviors prior to making  a decision to engage in them (Likely based on coaching with a sympathetic officer (s). I can't rule out multiples at this point.). While no one (likely save one officer) should necessarily go to jail (depending on the rest of the story) there does need to be a level of accountability (i.e. mental health, training, audit, etc...) to ensure the root and repeatable causes of aggression are tackled appropriately and effectively (See Michigan Hate Crime Reform).

The behaviors may be highly immature from a "live in past" "never grew up" highschoolers mentality but also very coordinated, practiced and manipulative in orientation. Intentional destructiveness that exploits race/religious differences as a tool put lots of people in harms way and opens up a bigger can of worms on what inappropriate behaviors might look like in certain social-officer networks. You would think by sheer self preservation alone (assuming there are any potential consequences for such behavior) the people drawn into the web of acting on hidden bias would shift the blame on those who started the problem versus the targets (...also called 'Blaming the Victim'). This is just an example, as the real problem is how such behaviors are socially acceptable and how that might be being replayed throughout our nation at different times and places. This is why I advocate in part for the exercise to be a "learning lesson" beyond simple legal ramifications.

If we want to be a nation that overcomes our current and future challenges we must not give a free pass to behaviors that are designed to seriously harm certain ethnic, racial, and religious groups in an effort to dominate and exploit them for personal-social gain. Certain principles apply to everyone within the country and are tied to our very root existence (i.e. meaning the reason why we became a nation.). We don't want to cut off half our human capital because of lack of awareness on issues that impact a significant portion of "Americans". In layman's terms, you can't expect to win races when you have half the horsepower and tainted fuel. We must be smarter than that! 

These are "make it" and/or "break it" times for our leaders and hopefully they are ready, willing, and able to make the adjustments necessary to innovate and compete (Yes...this is opinion but it is based in lots of literature in fields like organizational development, psychology, history, etc....). We sometimes think doing nothing is the best choice and while that works sometimes as issues resolve themselves organically it doesn't always allow nations to guild their path and avoid some of the larger pot holes we will find on the economic road to development. 

There are some readers that are likely fuming and pulling their hair out at what I'm saying.😠 Its not intended that way.🙏Its intended as an opportunity to see this problem from multiple perspectives and in a more holistic manner. The essential messages one can get from this are 1.) All teams must have direction and goals 2.) should develop diverse talent sets needed by the market, 3.) act with ethical and moral consideration to raise institutional/organizational trust 4.) use local models to build an understanding of hate behaviors and radicalism from a macro data perspective and 5.) maximize our national strengths (diversity of thought) while hedging our weaknesses ( learning about and minimizing hate groups) 6.) develop organizational culture(s) that can be emulated and exported to other places. I respect that people may agree or disagree. I cant even say I'm speaking with absolute certainty. I can only say that this seems to make sense from my experience and background at this juncture in history. Ask me tomorrow if the factors change and I might give you a different answer. Others might see it differently....and thats ok! Which path will likely put us in the best spot going forward? 🤷