t’s not difficult to get Arthur Bott
talking about his Grand Rapids
I
Plastics business, and the impact that
it’s had over the years – both on the
industries it serves and on the people it
employs.
What is a challenge, however, is getting the
company’s faith-driven founder to take any
credit for what’s taken place since the doors
first openedback in the 1970s.
In fact, whenever it comes time to accept
congratulations, he looks skyward.
“It’s all because of one thing,” he said. “It
really was divine intervention that gave me
the thought. And when God calls, you’d
better answer the phone. You start thinking
about what the purpose of life is all about.
The miracle of all miracles. Grand Rapids
Plastics in itself is amiracle.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. It really
comes from God. He’s given me the vision
on this and all I can say is that I’m just trying
tobewhatChristwouldwantme tobe.”
These days, the 80-year-old presides over a
May 2014
| BusinessWorld | 139
