KANDU Industries is moving only their Arrow Park operation (located on Parker Drive) to 1227 Barberry Drive throughout the weekend of December 3 - 5^th, 2010.  Operations will be up and running on Monday, December 6^th.  The Barberry property will increase KANDU’s ability to serve their production customers.  The new building offers a flexible open floor layout, high cube storage capacity, nine dock doors increasing semi-truck access and an outside storage building.

KANDU’s staff and clients are very excited about this move.  The new facility will provide a great work environment in a secured building.  The property on Barberry Drive is a Hendricks property in which they are remodeling specifically to meet KANDU’s needs.  Staff and clients will be able to enjoy a new break room and all new bathrooms.  The new property also provides ample parking, a more convenient drop-off/pick-up area with less traffic and lots of green space.

KANDU creates, promotes and provides diverse opportunities within the community that offer persons with disabilities or disadvantages the opportunity to pursue greater independence and meet their full potential.

For more information contact Gary Bersell, Executive Director at 608-755-4123 ext. 305 or Mike Ellis, Production/Facility Director at 608-755-4123 ext. 370.

This is the last entry in a series of four blogs touching on when and why companies would work with KANDU for production services.

Would you like to cut costs and/or focus employees’ time on core competencies?

Many times focusing employees on their higher skilled job duties can also increase employee satisfaction.  Company A had highly skilled machine operators putting a small piece together by hand inbetween all their other duties. The pieces were showing quite a bit of variability depending on the operator and the amount of time they had to complete the piece. We took that small piece as an assembly job and now the operators are more focused on running the machines. The product has more consistency due to the jigs we built and we are seamlessly providing the piece when needed. The machine operators are glad they don’t have to hassle with these little parts anymore.

Our purchasing power might also save you money on material needs. Some companies, depending on the quantity of their project, find that  we are able to get a better pricing on packaging materials because we purchase a higher volume throughout the year.

No matter what the reason a company works with us, no company works with us solely because they like our mission. That is just the side bonus. They need us to save them time or money or both.  That’s what we do. Feel free to call us if you want to discuss a project or go to our production page  at www.kanduindustries.com.  You can also fill out a free quote request to get the ball rolling and get a great bonus of putting adults with disabilities to work!

Have you heard? We’re partying at Diane Hendricks’ property on May 20th and all proceeds will benefit KANDU. Check out our website for event details and registration.

Funds will be used to support KANDU’s mission and the following programs: Day Services/Memory Care, Return to Work, Supported Community Employment, Navigator Transition Program, Work Services, and more.

Due to decreased public funding, KANDU has implemented a more broad based system of generating resources through its Fund Development activities. This event is just one example. Public funding used to represent 80% of our annual operating budget. Today, these funds represent less than 40%.

Diane Hendricks’ personal invitation message:

Please join me in supporting a local organization that builds dignity, self-respect and independence for all people in Rock County, regardless of their mental or physical disadvantages. KANDU Industries has, for more than 45 years, provided meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities or disadvantages to meet their full potential. Funding sources continue to shrink. Now is a critical time for all of us to act and support our local families. Please help me invest in KANDU’s critical programs by attending this outdoor event at The Pitts. All proceeds will benefit KANDU. So come, enjoy yourself, and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities in Rock County.
See you soon!

Diane Hendricks
KANDU Board Member

This is the third in a series of four blogs touching on when and why companies would work with KANDU for production services.

Companies making decisions about their future regularly review the balance of expense versus revenue or “return on investment.” The question of whether to take on permanent overhead costs for growth within your walls depends on your needs including timing, predictability, risk-tolerance and market demand.

Company C is growing. They have a new product that takes up too much space and they don’t want to invest in a move or expansion project until they know how the market receives this new product. They call us. We have the space, the capacity and we manage the inventory seamlessly to their monthly requirements.  By working with KANDU Industries they respond to the market quicker and with less long-term risk. It is a win-win.

It is a common saying around here that if you are having a bad day, go walk out on the production floor and spend some time with the client workers. It doesn’t matter if they’ve seen you 10 days before or 10 minutes before, you’ll very likely be greeted by kind hand waving, by name and with lots of enthusiasm. You’ll hear everything from “Hi!” to “You look nice today” to more personal, “I’m going to see my niece tonight!” Their generous sharing of info and greetings often improves the feel of the day. My co-worker Jennie once said, “Wow! A person can feel like a rock star just walking through a room!” It made me wonder how often I make others feel like a rock star. Here’s hoping you feel like one this week. If not, stop by!