Every morning for four years, Ed Arends ‘57 took the bus from his home on Atherton Road and Grand Traverse Street north to Kettering University (then General Motors Institute). Even during his co-op term, his routine did not change as he switched from the classrooms on the west side of Chevrolet Avenue to the factory floor on the east side to Chevy Manufacturing.

Chevy Manufacturing is being transformed to Chevy Commons and GMI is now Kettering University but Arends’ journey back to campus hasn’t changed much as he’s lived his entire life in Genesee County.

“I had the opportunity to move but I didn’t want to go. My family was here and my family is still here,” Arends said.

In contrast to his consistent geography, Arends’ work and entrepreneurial pursuits in the area have varied greatly as his career has flourished alongside each opportunity that came his way.

From Kettering To Entrepreneurship

When Arends first arrived on campus in 1952, just a week into his school term, he met Zanita, now his wife of 64 years. Arends and Zanita married in September 1957, the same year that he graduated from Kettering with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating, Arends  shifted across the street full-time to work at Chevy Manufacturing. Arends’ early career was prolific as he managed a staff of tradesman and earned wages beyond what he could have ever imagined before the age of 30.

“It was incredible. I thought I was going to be there forever,” Arends said. 

Forever ended in 1964 when Arends left Chevy Manufacturing and purchased T&H Tool Sale which sold manufacturing machinery to automotive and industrial companies.

“As a little boy, I had a fruit stand. I’ve always enjoyed being in business for myself,” Arends said. “I thought there was more opportunity for me outside of General Motors.”

Arends’ grew the company to eight salesmen and expanded the business to supply any tool to serve industrial needs. Having experienced the success of self-employment, in 1977, Arends incorporated MJ Manufacturing - named after his daughters Michelle and Janeen - in Burton just south of Flint.

In its early days, MJ Manufacturing specialized in creating sidelight sashes for the housing industry and specifically major door manufacturers.

“Normally, they (sidelight sashes) were made out of wood. Then I said let’s make them out of steel,” Arends said. “At one point, we were building 250-to-300 per day. I shipped them to the door people all over the United States.”

In 1984, Arends expanded his manufacturing operation to include automobile bumpers as the steel bumpers of the time began to rust. Arends began producing bumpers with backside coating to prevent them from rusting.

“I did a lot of bumpers,” Arends said.

Arends estimates that he has shipped more than 2 million automotive bumpers to Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Chrysler.

From bumpers and sashes, Arends expanded the business to other items such as doors, tailgates and powder coating - all of which were manufactured at lower volumes. At one point, Arends also did coating work for military vehicles as MJ Manufacturing grew to more than 50 employees.

Throughout his various manufacturing projects and experiences, Arends’ loyalty and support of Kettering has been constant and consistent. Now, Arends wants to invite Kettering’s greater alumni base to share his passion for supporting the  campus.

Believing in Kettering’s Future

Arends believes in the power of the Kettering educational model and how it prepares students for careers in manufacturing, engineering, science and business.

“I know many people who have gone to Kettering and I encourage others to go there. I couldn’t have been treated any nicer. I made so many good friends,” Arends said. “I can’t say enough about it. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the chances that I did.”

Arends is showing his support by hosting a special lunch presentation for all Kettering alumni at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc. At the luncheon, Kettering President Dr. Robert K. McMahan will share a presentation explaining the new Kettering University Campus Master Plan that was unveiled earlier this year. McMahan will discuss new facilities described in the plan that will enhance learning, create collaborative environments and open new doors for innovation on campus.

Arends is excited for the new campus master plan as he believes that realizing the vision in it will position Kettering as the keystone institution for the future of engineering and innovation.

“I’m really happy. I’m really encouraged. I’m proud,” Arends said. 

Please RSVP to Laura DiFilippo (ldifilip@kettering.edu) by Thursday, June 4, 2015 to attend the luncheon.