Non-Profit: Cottonwood

from Lawrence Business Magazine 2022 Q1

by Lawrence Business Magazine

Manufacturing

A Community Treasure A Community Treasure by Sophia Misle, photos by Steven Hertzog and Cottonwood

Cottonwood to celebrate 50 years of service in the community.

This year, Cottonwood Inc. will be celebrating five decades of helping people with disabilities to shape their own futures. Thanks to Cottonwood, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities can feel empowered to work toward economic independence and learn new skills in product manufacturing and assembly work, as well as team building, collaboration and flexibility.

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Douglas and Jefferson counties receive an array of services from Cottonwood. These services include targeted case management, life-enrichment day services, work-oriented day services, residential and supported community-employment services through JobLink.

Working on Contract fulfillment Packaging cargo tie down straps

Working on Contract fulfillment Flo is busily packaging cargo tie down straps

At Cottonwood Industries, Cottonwood’s production center, 130 individuals earn income through manufacturing. Individuals can develop a range of skills including light assembly, packaging, bulk mailing, shredding and collating in a modern 66,000-square-foot facility. For more than 20 years, Cottonwood has had a contract with the United States Department of Defense (DOD) to produce cargo tie-down straps used by every branch of the military. This contract has provided persons served with opportunities to learn each step of the production line. First, the raw materials, comprised of rolls of webbing, hooks and ratchets, arrive separately. Then, the commercial sewing department sews the straps with the help of 18 commercial sewing machines. After the sewing process, the straps are packaged and delivered primarily to one of two DOD depots on the East and West Coasts. A shipment may also be requested for delivery directly to a military location other than a depot, and a supply of straps is always in the warehouse in case of an emergency.

Since the inception of this contract, which was renewed for another five years in 2019, Cottonwood has produced more than 8.5 million straps. The Department of Defense awarded Cottonwood the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Award for exceptional service, and nine consecutive Gold Medal Awards have been awarded from the Defense Supply Center of Richmond, Virginia. In addition to the contract with the DOD, Cottonwood Industries partners with a number of other regional companies for manufacturing, packaging and fulfillment work. Packaging is one of the Cottonwood team’s specialties, and individuals can bag, box, kit, label, seal, insert, use shrink wrap, complete blister packaging and fill bottles, jars and tubes. One business partner, a manufacturer of plastic cups, receives Cottonwood’s assistance to help band the cups together for retail distribution. These cups are primarily used at events and games for collegiate and professional sports teams. Recently, Cottonwood has helped with cups for the rebranded Cleveland Guardians and sticker placement on Kansas City Royals cups. “It’s anywhere from banding them into fours, banding them into twos, boxing them up,” says Duane Turnbull, director of work services. “Maybe they’ll come to us in cases of 50, and they want them in cases of 25.” Cottonwood continually to try to find ways to help those served learn new skills and obtain opportunities to lead rich and fulfilling lives. “We’re helping people to shape their own future,” says Sharon Spratt, CEO of Cottonwood. “From our roots, we’ve always had a very entrepreneurial spirit.” Don’t miss Cottonwood’s annual fundraiser, “Salute! A Festival of Wine and Food.”

• This event kicks off on Thursday, July 14, with the

Mass St. Mosey, followed by the Winemaker Dinner on Friday, July 15, and the Grand Tasting and Auctions on July 16. • Tickets go on sale June 1. For more information, visit salutewinefest.com. p