Goodwill expands manufacturing and warehousing

By GOODWILL INDUSTRIES

BELLEVUE – Most Bellevue residents have seen the Goodwill Retail store along Route 20, but many do not realize the not-for-profit agency also operates a manufacturing facility on Castalia Street. The facility supports a variety of local manufacturers with light assembly, packaging and other light and medium-duty sub-contract work.

The agency has been busy adding to the facility in order to expand manufacturing operations and bring warehousing in-house. The addition roughly doubles the available square footage in the facility, which is nearly full from current contract and salvage work. Goodwill currently leases warehouse space in Norwalk to house retail donations during the busy Summer months for dispersal during the slower winter ones.

“Bringing the warehouse, salvage and manufacturing operations under one roof made financial sense and will save on overall overhead along with substantial savings in transportation,” said Steve Davey, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky Counties, Inc.

Goodwill uses their manufacturing and retail facilities to provide employment to nearly 500 people and uses these locations to perform job training for residents suffering from a disability or other disadvantaging condition. Goodwill provides employment services to these individuals and then helps them obtain employment, either inside or outside of the agency, as well as providing long-term support.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was set for June 18 with operations to officially begin on July 1.

The plant currently has 50 employees and 12 additional employees will be added for the new warehouse space. Plans are to add more employees as services grow.

“Once the facility is operational the plan is to expand contracts work which will require additional staff. We have a hiring plan in place and are currently collecting applications in anticipation of future work,” said Adam Morrison, Goodwill’s Business Services manager.

Goodwill encourages local manufacturers to contact them to tour the facility or to obtain a quote on services by calling 419-625-4744 or emailing amorrison@goodwill