Open House showcases TRC’s Buffalo manufacturing operation

Paul Cesana, center, The Resource Center’s Executive Director, and Paul Fardink, TRC’s Executive Liaison for Outcomes Management and Manufacturing Support, talk with Sou Phengphongsauvanh, one of the production workers at TRC’s Buffalo manufacturing operation.

The hum of sewing machines provided the appropriate background sound as The Resource Center held an open house December 10 to showcase its Buffalo manufacturing operation, a collaboration with Heritage Centers that is providing employment to 60 individuals with disabilities and other socioeconomic challenges.

The more than 100 people who turned out for the event had the opportunity to see firsthand how TRC and Heritage Centers have been able to make a difference in the lives of people with disabling conditions.  Visitors who never before had been in a manufacturing setting seemed fascinated to watch the skilled workers deftly operate the sewing machines.

This unique collaboration began operating in August 2009 within 20,000 square feet of space on the sixth floor of the Seneca Industrial Center, located at 701 Seneca Street.  The goal was to provide employment while having Heritage Centers learn about the steps involved in performing federal manufacturing contracts.

The Resource Center has been performing contracts for the federal government since 1978, and since then TRC has developed its production techniques while acquiring a reputation as a reliable supplier of finished goods.  In recent years, the government’s demand has surpassed TRC’s production capacity at its Work Centers in Dunkirk and Jamestown, causing TRC to subcontract some of its work to similar agencies located elsewhere in New York State and in other parts of the country.  The manufacturing initiative between TRC and Heritage Centers has meant that more of TRC’s federal contracts remain in Western New York rather than being outsourced.

The collaboration was assisted by $450,000 in funding from The John R. Oishei Foundation, with some of the money used to buy equipment to get the operation up and running.  Among the guests at the open house were several Oishei representatives, who presented a check for $200,000 to TRC and Heritage Centers as part of the foundation’s financial support of the manufacturing venture.

At one point during the event, the 60 workers on the floor and the guests gathered to listen to speeches from the principals involved in the collaboration.  Paul Cesana, Executive Director of The Resource Center, noted that while the national unemployment rate is about 10 percent, some 70 percent of individuals with disabilities who want to work are instead unemployed.

“Unless you know people with disabling conditions, you don’t realize the difficulty of finding employment that they face,” Paul said.  “Having a job means dignity, independence, being able to participate in the community.”

He then introduced Michael Gross, Executive Director of Heritage Centers.  “I think that the best partnerships are always those that result in a win-win,” said Mike.  He noted that the collaboration has provided jobs to individuals with developmental disabilities as well as community members who face other types of socioeconomic challenges, and that the two groups have been learning from one another while proving that they are capable.

“These are great workers who deserve an opportunity to work, just like anybody else,” he said.

Sou Phengphongsauvanh sews a watch cap.  The microfleece cap is worn by members of the U.S. Army.

Next, Paul introduced the representatives from Oishei, candidly noting, “This collaboration frankly would not have happened without the critical support from the Oishei Foundation.”  Robert Gioia, President of the Oishei Foundation, recalled that about two years ago, Oishei officials traveled to TRC’s Jamestown Work Center to see the government contract operation and learn about the Buffalo plans.  The Oishei representatives were favorably impressed and decided to support the initiative.

“In an economic climate where we have to do more with less, this is a perfect example,” said Robert.  “Congratulations, because you’re providing a great need to the community, and you get the opportunity that you so richly deserve.”

TRC performs work for the government through the federal AbilityOne Program.  NISH (formerly known as National Industries for the Severely Handicapped) assists agencies like TRC in acquiring its government contracts.  Gregg Bender, the Chair of NISH’s Board of Directors, noted that the AbilityOne Program is the nation’s largest employer of people with disabilities, providing jobs to some 130,000 people at 560 agencies.

Gregg also is TRC’s Director of Business Operations.  He said that TRC currently produces more than 200 items for the federal government, with most of those items going to support the nation’s military efforts.  He emphasized that TRC is recognized for the high quality of its work.

“We make sure that what goes out the door to the soldier doesn’t come back, and we never get returns,” said Gregg, explaining that TRC’s quality control measures ensure that when the agency ships a product to the government, that product meets all of the government’s specifications.

Officials from The Resource Center, Heritage Centers and The John R. Oishei Foundation, joined by a few production workers, cut the ribbon at TRC’s Seneca Industrial Center manufacturing operation.

Currently, the Buffalo operation is producing two items – a microfleece cap for the Army and a pouch for carrying rifle ammunition.  The collaborative is awaiting final contract from the Marine Corps for TRC to produce 50,000 Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs).  A key component of this $5.8 million project is the manufacture of the IFAK pouch that holds the specially designed first-aid supplies.  Heritage Centers will manufacture the pouch, and this portion of the project will result in potential gross revenues of $275,000; the hiring of an additional 20-plus individuals; the purchase of additional industrial sewing equipment; and the increasing of capacity of the facility to be able to secure future Department of Defense work contracts.

Heritage Centers is a subcontractor to The Resource Center for a strap required on all of the MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) pouches TRC makes for the military.  The MOLLE system enables soldiers to customize the equipment they carry with them, using a variety of pouches that attach to a vest or backpack.  Heritage Centers manufactures for TRC the attachment straps used to secure the pouches to the carrier system.

Gregg noted that when television viewers watch news reports of soldiers in the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan, they are seeing items – pouches worn by troops and the straps that attach to the pouches – that were made by workers at The Resource Center.

The production of the attachment straps is Heritage Centers’ introduction to this type of manufacturing environment.  As Heritage Centers continues to master the process, orders for other components will be directed to Heritage.

The production workers operate under the guidance of Amber Sharlow, the Lead Manufacturing Supervisor, and Tom Petroff, Production and Facilities Maintenance Technician.  Terry Ross, TRC’s Production Superintendent, credits Amber and Tom for the success that the Buffalo manufacturing operation has enjoyed thus far.

“They’ve done an outstanding job,” Terry noted.

Also attending the open house were representatives of Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillebrand, as well as officials from Catholic Charities and the New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for the Disabled, two offices that have helped TRC and Heritage Centers find workers for the Buffalo operation.

For more information about The Resource Center or the Buffalo manufacturing initiative, phone 483-2344.

Heritage Centers is a local not-for-profit that employs over 900 people and serves more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities (and their families) each year.   Individualized services include, but are not limited to:  early intervention, education, residential, vocational, service coordination, legal and advocacy programming.

The Resource Center is a comprehensive, not-for-profit agency that provides employment services, residential and day services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as diagnostic, treatment and mental health services that are available to the Chautauqua County community.  TRC has 1,700 people on its payroll and has operating revenues of about $100 million.

The John R. Oishei Foundation strives to be a catalyst for change to enhance economic vitality and the quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region.  The Foundation was established in 1940 by John R. Oishei, founder of Trico Products Corporation.