The Welsh Wire: Inside the Advanced Manufacturing Expo with Creston Industrial’s CEO
This month’s The Welsh Wire podcast, sponsored by the Family Business Alliance, features Sheri Welsh talking with Paul Hendricks, the President and CEO of Grand Rapids-based Creston Industrial Sales.
Together they discuss his company, leadership style, and the Advanced Manufacturing Expo happening Aug. 6-7, 2025, in Grand Rapids.
Creston Industrial is an industrial distribution company specializing in tooling solutions and technical support for manufacturing companies involved in machining and CNC machining across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.
The company’s main focus is enhancing customer productivity, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Hendricks joined the firm in 2009.
“It was an exciting time to be in business,” Hendricks says. “There were opportunities, and my father, Russ Hendricks, was a co-owner at the time, and the other ownership was looking to exit. My father passed away in 2015, but it was a really exciting time for us after buying this business together and running it together. I’ve been at it ever since.”
A significant priority for Creston Industrial is the Advanced Manufacturing Expo, which Hendricks describes as his brainchild, though it existed for a year before Creston partnered with Industrial Control to co-produce it.
Launched 10 years ago, the show has grown tremendously, moving from smaller venues to DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.
The 10th annual show, scheduled for Aug. 6-7, targets over 5,000 attendees across 175,000 square feet, featuring over 300 exhibitors.
The Expo is crucial for Creston and its customers because it brings the latest manufacturing technology to a regional audience.
“There are some national shows and they do a great job, but they tend to be overnight stays, and you need to go for multiple days and spend quite a bit of money to attend,” Creston explains.
“We wanted to have a regional show that is more focused on what we cater to – the owners and managers of these manufacturing companies, down to the folks that are doing the work and trying to help all of them. So far, it’s been a great success.”
Listen to the full conversation, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Welsh Wire on iTunes for more engaging interviews with West Michigan business leaders.