Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It's a busy shop.
In one area, watering systems for a local agricultural manufacturer are assembled and packaged. In another area, workers are collating printed material for three-ring binders as ordered by a major orthopedics company.
Cardinal Center Industries will take on just about any outsourcing task - assembly work, distribution, packaging and delivery, according to plant manager Jay Tate.
Tate joined CCI, the Cardinal Center's profit center, in February, replacing Ron Davis.
CCI provides Cardinal Center with supplementary funding for its many services for adults and children, said Michelle Boxell, community relations manager.
Cardinal Center clients work in the manufacturing area, learning skills at CCI to eventually find outside work. There's a constant client-employee turnover because the clients find work outside CCI.
"We give them the support and guidance they need that allows them to go out into the community," Boxell said.
The facility also has a core of "direct hires," who work a regular shift and employees who work at home and return assembled parts on a regular basis.
"Industries will send us a check as part of their philanthropic service and we'll take it," Tate said. "But we'd really like to do some business. We're a great solution for companies with insufficient floor space, production schedule or manpower issues."
Aletta Smith, a 15-year CCI employee, is production supervisor. She oversees workers and training.
For more information, call the Cardinal Center, 574-267-3823. Or e-mail Tate, jayt@cardinalcenter.org
On the Net:
www.cardinalcenter.org
