Hilite International has been recognized with the West Michigan Works Business Impact Award, an honor that highlights the company’s commitment to workforce development, community partnership, and a people-first approach to business.
The award recognizes organizations that make a meaningful impact through strong collaboration, innovative workforce strategies, and long-term investment in both employees and the communities they serve. For Hilite, the recognition reflects years of intentional work centered on building a strong organizational culture and supporting sustainable growth.
“This award reflects the dedication of our teams across the organization who consistently collaborate to solve complex challenges, improve efficiency, and drive long-term success for our clients,”Hilite International shared. “It reinforces our reputation as a trusted partner and motivates us to continue raising the standard in everything we do.”
A Culture Built Around People and Performance
Hilite’s selection for the Business Impact Award is rooted in its focus on building a people-centered organization that directly supports business performance and customer outcomes. The company’s workforce strategy emphasizes attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals who are empowered to collaborate, innovate, and take ownership of their work.
At the core of that strategy is a company culture grounded in Accountability, Innovation, Integrity, and Collaboration. These values guide daily operations, leadership decisions, and long-term planning.
“We invest in our people through clear career pathways, leadership development, and a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and teamwork,”Hilite noted. “By fostering a culture where employees feel engaged and connected to our mission, we are able to deliver sustained impact for our customers and the broader business.”
This approach reflects Hilite’s long-standing belief that strong business outcomes begin with empowered, engaged employees.
Investing in Community and Regional Growth
Beyond its internal culture, Hilite views community involvement as an essential part of its role as an employer and corporate citizen—particularly within West Michigan.
Hilite actively supports initiatives that strengthen the communities where employees live and work, emphasizing local partnerships, charitable involvement, and opportunities for team members to give back. The company also prioritizes local investment by creating stable jobs, supporting workforce development, and collaborating with area organizations and educational institutions.
Hilite sees itself as both a contributor and a partner in the region—helping foster economic growth while building strong relationships that support a vibrant, sustainable community for future generations.
Strategic Partnerships That Strengthen the Workforce
A key factor in Hilite’s recognition is its approach to partnerships, including its collaboration with West Michigan Works. Rather than viewing partnerships as short-term solutions, Hilite approaches them as strategic, long-term relationships that strengthen the regional workforce.
By working closely with West Michigan Works, Hilite helps connect individuals to meaningful career opportunities while supporting training, upskilling, and workforce readiness initiatives. These collaborations allow talent development to align with real-world business needs, ensuring individuals are equipped with relevant skills and clear career pathways.
Hilite describes these partnerships as an investment—not only in its own workforce, but in the broader West Michigan talent ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: Growth, Innovation, and Opportunity
Hilite continues to build on the momentum recognized by the Business Impact Award through ongoing and upcoming initiatives focused on innovation, collaboration, and workforce development.
The company is enhancing internal development programs that offer targeted training, mentorship, and leadership pathways, while also expanding external partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development organizations. These efforts are designed to foster collaboration across teams, encourage innovative thinking, and prepare employees for future opportunities.
In addition, Hilite is exploring new technologies and process improvements that drive operational innovation while giving employees hands-on experience with emerging tools and practices.
A Shared Achievement
Hilite emphasizes that the Business Impact Award is a collective achievement, reflecting the dedication of employees at all levels of the organization as well as the strength of its partnerships.
The company specifically acknowledged West Michigan Works for its collaboration, expertise, and shared commitment to workforce development, noting that the recognition would not have been possible without that partnership.
An Honor—and a Responsibility
For Hilite, the award represents both recognition and responsibility.
“This award reinforces our mission to deliver meaningful impact through Accountability, Innovation, Integrity, and Collaboration,” a Hilite shared. “It motivates us to keep raising the bar—strengthening our culture, expanding development opportunities, and deepening partnerships that support long-term workforce and community growth.”
Rather than a finish line, the Business Impact Award reflects progress already made and Hilite’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement—creating lasting value for employees, partners, customers, and the West Michigan region.
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Amy Yonkman is the Product Lead for the CatchMark Community platform, bringing extensive experience in project management, WordPress administration, and digital content creation. She excels at coordinating projects, supporting cross-functional teams, and delivering engaging digital experiences. Amy is skilled in content strategy, workflow optimization, and multimedia editing across web and social platforms. With a strong background in task organization, technical writing, and customer service, she plays a key role in driving the growth and impact of CatchMark’s community-focused digital initiatives.
