o Who was your first customer and where did you find them?
Chrysan’s 1st customer was Arrow Metal Products in Detroit.
They were a small stamping company who supplied parts to the automotive industry.
o Where did you find your first employee?
Our 1st employees were family members.
My parents started the company. My brothers and I worked for Chrysan on the weekends and during the summer when we were growing up.
I drove a hi-lo when I was 10 years old, blended various products, and drove the company truck – when I was old enough.
My Dad taught us how to cut and thread pipe and install equipment.
o Where have you turned to find capital to grow your company and which institutions have provided it?
When my parents first started the company, they used personal savings and a loan from Manufacturers Bank at that time.
When Chrysan moved to Plymouth, MI. They obtained an SBA loan through Bank One and also through Dearborn Capital, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company.
We now work with Charter One Bank. Charter One has supported our international growth and continue to be a great partner.
o What are some of the advantages to doing business here?
While Michigan has lost a fair portion of its automotive manufacturing base, Detroit is still the Automotive Engineering Capital of the World.
– GM, Ford, and Chrysler Headquarters are here.
– GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Hyundai, ChangAn Technical Centers are here
– Many Tier 1 Suppliers Technical & sales offices are here
Also, the engineering talent is here along with close cooperation with academia
– University of Michigan
– Michigan State University
– Wayne State University
o If you could change one thing about this region, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the region, I would change the perception of Michigan.
From Automotive Manufacturing to High Tech & Alternative Energy Automotive Engineering.
From old, crime ridden city of Detroit to the Great Lakes State of Michigan
From racially divisive to a diverse welcoming community.
14707 Keel Steet Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: (734) 451-5411
Fax: (734) 862-4053
Chrysan Industries, Inc. is an Automotive Lubricants & Specialty Chemicals Provider, headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan. Established in 1977, Chrysan has been increased its sales volume to $10 million a year. It has about 20 employees. Chrysan achieved Ford Q1 in February 2005 and was chosen to be Corp! Magazine Best of Michigan 2008.
• Founder Q&A
