Founded in 1933, the family owned company makes gray and ductile iron castings for the machine tool, hydraulic pump, wind energy and tool-and-die industries.
Betz Industries CEO Karl Betz and President Gregory Betz accept the 2017 Supplier of the Year Award from Tom Makarewicz, President of the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2016. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Betz Industries, a Walker-based maker of molds and metal castings for the auto industry, was awarded the 2017 "Celebration of Innovation: Automotive Supplier of the Year" award at the Michigan International Auto Show.
The award was presented to CEO Karl Betz and President Gregory Betz on Wednesday, Feb. 1 by Tom Makarewicz, president of the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association, which sponsors the auto show.
Founded in 1933, the family owned company makes gray and ductile iron castings for the machine tool, hydraulic pump, wind energy and tool-and-die industries. It is headquartered at 2121 Bristol Ave. NW.
"Betz Industries has a long history with the automotive industry," Makarewicz said. "Betz was producing stamping dies in the early 1950s using wood patterns. "
Betz began creating its dies and molds with Styrofoam in the 1960s, enabling the auto industry to incorporate more intricate vehicle body designs more quickly by shaping the Styrofoam to the actual part required.
This technology has evolved from blueprints and hand shaping to CAD 3D solid model designs where the patterns are cut using CNC machines. These advancements have led to lighter castings with tighter dimensional tolerance and less machining time to achieve the final design for the customer.
"Vehicles on the road today are quickly changing and advancing, requiring automotive suppliers to keep up with the many demands of manufacturers and consumers," Makarewicz said. "The continually improving technology, design and processes of companies like Betz Industries is such an important part of each automobile on the road today."
Gentex Corp. of Zeeland was recognized with the award last year. Gentex makes automatic dimming rearview mirrors and other camera-based safety features for automobiles, automatic dimming windows for commercial aircraft and fire suppression systems.
"Given the past recipients and the many deserving automotive industry suppliers in the West Michigan area, Betz Industries is both humbled and honored to receive this distinction from the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association," Gregory Betz said.