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MiMfg Magazine
November 2018
2018 MFG Community Impact
Aircraft Precision
Products, Inc.
Manufacturers always manage to add something
special to their communities. They are the unsung
heroes across Michigan; working behind the scenes
and beyond their four walls to support their schools,
community organizations and fellow manufacturers.
Every day across the state, manufacturers continue
to strengthen the bonds of a relationship that has
endured for generations — the bond between
business and community.
“My grandfather understood the importance of
relationship building and made it a point from day
one to connect with local schools and educators
and the entire community,” said William “Bill”
Henderson III, the third-generation president of
Aircraft Precision Products Inc. (APPI), an Ithaca-
based manufacturer of commercial and military
aircraft components. “Even the most self-sufficient
small manufacturer depends on schools and external
resources for skills training, career awareness and
locating raw materials — engaging with your
community can help ease those early pressures.”
Henderson’s grandfather, APPI founder William W.
Henderson, worked to push forward the message
that the company was about more than just creating a
product or creating jobs; it was part of the community.
That commitment continues as a spirit of outreach
remains one of APPI’s defining characteristics, even
half a century later.
As Sheryl Presler, superintendent of the Clare-
Gladwin school district affirms, “APPI leads by
example. If there’s an event planned by the group, or
a subcommittee formed to tackle a specific issue,
APPI is frequently the first company to volunteer
their expertise and elbow grease. In my opinion, APPI
is an exemplary company with outstanding leadership.”
APPI advocates for quality partnerships between
industry and public education and between manu-
facturer and manufacturer. Well known as a believer
in the saying “by raising the water level, all ships rise
together,” Henderson understands the importance
of banding together and sharing resources toward a
common goal.
“If the community is doing well, everyone within
the community has the ability to benefit,” explains
Henderson. “In this time of close to full employment
it is incumbent on all of us to share the stories of
manufacturing and boost career awareness. These
aren’t stories we can tell in a vacuum; we need to
work together, rely on each other — when we do
that, we all go farther.”
Henderson’s vision of a community working
together to elevate itself has been an example to his
team. Almost every Ithaca event has representatives
from APPI in attendance or working as part of the
team leading the effort.
“When Bill Henderson became president and
CEO, the company and its employees took on
greater leadership roles in school-to-work programs
to help local teenagers recognize the choices they
have for their future,” explained John Leppien Sr.,
president of Alma-based Garr Tool Company.
“Bill’s efforts to change the schools’ perception of
manufacturing from a ‘last choice’ option for students
to the site of exceptional career opportunities has
helped Gratiot County retain many of its young
people and helped other companies, including our
own, locate better applicants.”
In an industry where many executives struggle
to balance just what happens in their facility,
Henderson and the APPI team know it’s what
you do beyond that which matters most.
“Manufacturing is exciting — being able to
tinker and create with your hands is what got me
interested in it and I know our team is the same
way; it’s our responsibility as stewards of the
industry to ensure there’s a next generation to
hand this all off to,” says Henderson. “If you can
make it fun and exciting, while informing people
about the career opportunities, they’re more likely
to get engaged and that can all start by being an
active part of the community.”
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