The Mission Of ORC Industries

As a non-profit organization, our first duty is to those whom we are chartered to serve, namely, our employees with disabilities. To that end, our mission at ORC Industries is very clear:

"To advance the independence, productivity and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities through employment opportunities."

It has been proven time and again that an independent, productive and self-sufficient person is a person who has a healthy sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Those factors, and other benefits of being a productive employee, enable a person to contribute to and gain from the community.

That community is ORC Industries, and the larger community we are all a part of.

In order to "advance" and create "employment opportunities" as our mission challenges us to do, we must continually provide exceptional services and products to our clientele. Only by delivering quality in every aspect of our business can we hope to grow as a company, expand our offerings, and create more employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Our mission is a winning combination for everyone. So we would like to invite you to participate in our mission as well, as a customer, a potential employee, or as someone who is interested in an organization that empowers, enables, and encourages others to grow.

THE HISTORY OF ORC INDUSTRIES

Leading The Nation, Right From The Start.

In 1966 James Holtan had a desire to create a non-profit organization where people with disabilities could find employment opportunities, and thereby lead a more independent lifestyle.

Little did James Holtan know that in creating ORC Industries, he was creating not only a new organization, but a community built on lifestyle quality and personal self-worth. James Holtan was literally leading the nation in his vision for ORC Industries.

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The Business Of A Non-Profit.

One of James Holtan's founding ideals for ORC Industries was that the non-profit organization would be run as efficiently as a business, always guided by it's overall mission. That ideal continues to be a fundamental part of ORC's business plan and has led us to become a more self-reliant, integrated and credible company. It has also infused our management team and our employees with the pride in knowing that they are taking part in creating and contributing something of great value both now, and for the future.

This business, quality and community philosophy led ORC to incorporate ISO 9000 processes in our manufacturing. It has also resulted in a variety of dynamic and growing divisions that include specialized sewing of apparel for the armed forces, cutting and spreading of material, quality inspection, woodworking, light assembly, packaging, sorting, embroidery,plastic injection molding, warehousing and logistics, canoe building and snowshoe manufacturing.

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A History Of Success.

ORC Industries takes a great deal of pride in having been, and continuing to be, on the cutting edge of development and manufacturing.

In 1983 ORC was the only manufacturer able to source a new and improved sealant for the United States Armed Forces poncho. ORC has been manufacturing this mainstay of the armed forces ever since. In 1995, ORC collaborated with Natick Research & Development Laboratories in Natick, Massachusetts to develop and test the Improved Rainsuit for the United States Army. Due in large part to ORC's commitment to quality and pursuit of production excellence, we have been producing the Improved Rainsuit since 1997.

Through all of those successes, the ORC mission was always at the forefront of what we accomplished, guiding the organization to continue to provide financial independence, a productive lifestyle, and a true sense of self and pride for our employees with disabilities. That mission is what guided the board of directors of ORC Industries to create even greater opportunities for people with disabilities through the purchase of Bell Canoe and Redfeather Snowshoes in 2006. In that year production for these two quality products was moved to ORC's home base of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

What began in 1966 with a vision and 15 employees in La Crosse, Wisconsin, has blossomed into one of the nation's leading examples of job creation for people with disabilities, who thrive in a community atmosphere and provide a high level of quality workmanship. Today, almost 1,000 people are gainfully employed in ORC's four plants in Arcadia, Westby and La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in Brownsville, Texas. An affirmative action employer with at least 75 percent of our employees having a disability, ORC has risen to the challenge of creation itself; creating jobs, creating quality, creating a caring community work environment, creating self-worth, independence and pride among ORC employees, and creating a company that competes in the global marketplace.

Perhaps nothing so aptly describes our company and our commitment to our employees and our customers than the simple phrase, "Made In America".

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