CCI employees are shown here doing press work for CTB. CCI employs 103 individuals with intellectual disabilities who perform work for dozens of local companies.
(Photo provided)

It was 1964 when Cardinal Services opened its new sheltered workshop, CCI. The factory setting gave people with intellectual disabilities something they never had before: a paying job.

Through the years, the emphasis has moved from the shelter aspect and more to the manufacturing business.

“Our employees do great work,” stated general manager Jay Tate. “They aren’t being sheltered, they’re being given an opportunity to work and they are doing it.” The fact that his employees have disabilities is not a major factor for Tate, who says the high quality of the work done in CCI speaks for itself.

As a contract manufacturer, business customers hire CCI for a variety of things from assembly and packaging to bulk mailings. CTB for instance, uses CCI to assemble parts for their poultry watering system. Working with more than 130 different parts in multiple configurations, CCI employees assemble 20,000-30,000 parts per day.

Recently, CCI went through the rigorous process of applying for ISO 9001:2008 Certification on its Quality Management System. Approved on their first attempt, the designation is a sign to potential customers that they can expect quality work from CCI.

Tate explained that CCI is competing for business just like any for-profit company, “We are excellent at what we do: whether it’s assembly, packaging, bulk mail, tote washing, or package recycling, we add value to other people’s products. Customer satisfaction and continuous improvement on every job is what sets us apart from our competition.”

To learn more about CCI or schedule an appointment, call Tate at 574-371-1305.