After 36 years at Perrigo, tomorrow is my last day. Before Perrigo I worked at Plainwell Paper, commercial construction, several farms during the summer – I also had jobs as a commercial architect and mechanical draftsman all in the 1970s.
Perrigo is the world’s largest manufacturer of over-the-counter (“OTC”) healthcare products and supplier of infant formulas for the store brand market. The Company also is a leading provider of branded OTC products throughout Europe and the U.S., as well as a leading producer of “extended topical” prescription drugs. Perrigo, headquartered in Ireland, sells its products primarily in North America and Europe, as well as in other markets, including Australia, Israel and China.
Our largest facilities are in Allegan where I have been employed. When I started in 1982 I believe we had around 500 people employed and now have expanded to the thousands we have worldwide. We have even expanded into the pet market over the past couple years.
It has been fun watching the growth and changes in technology over all these years. The last few years I worked with our engineering team and procurement so I got to experience the changes from mechanical to electronic control systems on all of our machinery. Beyond that I can’t say much more due to our global security measures and technology.
The main thing I am going to miss are the people I have grown with over all these years, luckily most live in the area so I can keep in contact with them. I have spent the last week walking around our facility reminiscing and saying goodbye – the facility has over 200 people on first shift. Perrigo is a great place to work, the work is fairly easy and they have a controlled environment so it is never hot in their facilities. After working in construction, farming and paper mills this was a treat.
A lot going on in the weather forecast for the next couple days. We have an Air Quality alert for today and strong storms possible tonight and Monday. The NAM is giving us anywhere from .50 to over an inch of rain between tonight and Tuesday morning, the GFS is showing 1 to 2 inches. The main threat of severe weather would be from heavy rain, wind and hail. Temperatures will exceed 90° again today with dew points in the upper 60s. On lake Michigan we have high waves predicted in 3 to 5 foot range from South Haven to the north. At 0800 there is some rain trying to come across the lake, not sure if it will hold together once it hits landfall. I will try to get an update later today on possible storms.
I have asked Bill Steffen this question a couple times, but he hasn’t answered me yet. Anyone know why Grand Rapids keeps getting missed for severe weather? We haven’t had any decent thunderstorms or severe weather this summer OR last summer! I don’t want damaging winds or tornadoes, just some decent thunderboomers. Anyone know? I see the radar at any given time, and it looks like it’s headed our way, and then suddenly it veers to the north or the south! I was watching the radar just a bit earlier and the storm heading our way appeared to be doing the exact same thing – some of the “green” indicating rain, was breaking up. Too bad because I totally love thunderstorms! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It is this strange phenomena known as the West Michigan “Bubble”! Seriously though, I don’t think anyone really has an answer. Even Wintwr storms have been all around us, but the last major shutdown blizzard was way back in 2011. Just been oddly quiet, and way warmer than normal for years now. Just a long term pattern we seem to be stuck in.
Thanks Barry – sad really because I just love thunderstorms. Winter always seems so long and no thunderstorms in winter, usually. Maybe West Michigan will get lucky summer 2019 for some good storms! 🙂
Congrats MV!!!!! I’ll TOKE TO THAT!!!!
CONGRATS MV!! I know you will find things to do.
It stayed in the 70s overnight and tonight looks the same. The local news showed the 10-day forecast and everyday’s high is above normal.
Looks like above normal temps will continue. Who said the below normal temps were setting in.. Hmmm.
Looks like yet another heat wave centered smack over us:
http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814temp.new.gif
I am hoping all this heat is gone before the fair starts.
Congrats on hitting a milestone, Michael! Time to ponder some of those “Bucket List” things that may have been piling up!! (We just got back from driving the “Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier Nat’l Park – checked that off my BL!)
Back to back 90 degree days? And now the CPC is hot in the short, medium, and long term!
Grand Rapids now has had 16 days of 90 or better this summer.
Slim
Congratulations Michael! Enjoy your retirement. Enjoy your new change of scenery keep active and try to stay healthy.
Slim
Congrats Micheal God bless your road ahead ….INDY!!
Congratulations, you’ll find new paths t follow.
Congrats Michael! Enjoy your extra “free” time!
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, MV.