Making Parts... Building Self Esteem

Sandstone Industries offers employment to disabled workers

By Wayne Engle
Courier Staff Writer
Source: The Madison Courier

Having a job and earning a paycheck each week is important to most of us. To the employees at Sandstone Industries, 801 Green Road, it's a vital part of feeling they're productive members of society.

Sandstone, a division of Developmental Services, Inc. of Columbus, provides manufacturing employment for about 64 disabled people who make things like door latches, locking mechanisms. and door mechanisms for the auto industry. About 40 people who are not disabled also work at the plant.

"We've taken on a major line that, while our disabled employees may not be able to do the first part of it, 25 of them are able to do the second part," said Mark Hunt, industry manager, as he stood on the shop floor and watched the Sandstone employees laboring steadily at their workbenches to assemble the auto parts. Sandstone makes parts for Gecom Corp. in Greensburg and for U.S. Filter/Envirex in Madison.

Several of the Sandstone workers looked over curiously at the visitors to their plant; some waved or smiled. Two of three seemed to find excuses to stroll past where the visitors were talking to Hunt so they could speak and shake hands.

"They're a helluva great group of people to work with," Hunt said, smiling at his employees. "They want work. They know if they come to work, they'll get a paycheck."

Veronica Anderson, county manager for Sandstone, said some of the employees also work out in the community at businesses such as Cabana Joe's, Christy's County Candles, Mr. Galli's, Wendy's, McDonald's, Big Lots, Dairy Queen, the Waters of Clifty Falls, the Sodexho Services at Hanover College, Bistro One, the Broadway Hotel, Bob Evans, The Madison Elks lodge, Wal-Mart, and for the city of Madison.

"This is your tax dollars at work," Anderson said. DSI is a non-profit, government subsidized operation. "The individuals that work here earn a paycheck, pay taxes, and spend their money in this community."

Sandstone relies heavily on local industry to help supply it with subcontracting work. The employees do piecework, meaning the more work they get done, the more money they can make.

Hunt said, "On pay Friday, these guys are so proud - 'look at my check! Look how big my check is!'""

"The check, and being a part of things is important to them," Anderson said. "These folks have to struggle a little more to be a part of the community. But they do fine."

Anderson said Sandstone is very low on subcontract work, often leaving the employees with nothing to do. She said that is discouraging for them, because obviously it means no paycheck.

Hunt began working at the sheltered workshop operated by the Jefferson-Switzerland Association for Retarded Citizens 17 years ago, when the workshop was in a Madison State Hospital building.

The next year, 1987, the present building was erected, and Sandstone Industries took over the operation.

"If this work isn't done properly on the door locks, your car door could fly open," Anderson said. "We offer 100 percent quality. If we don't do our job, we could shut the line down at Chrysler Corp.!"

Asked if any of the Sandstone employees has been with the factory for the entire 16 years of its existence. Anderson smiled and said, "There are several who have been here the whole time. At least half have been here at least 10 years."

Industry Contacts

These are some of the companies that do business with DSI Industries

Call toll free: 1-800-745-7686 www.dsiindustries.com DSI's DDI Industries in Greensburg. DSI also has industry sites in Columbus, Madison, Scipio, and Seymour.

DSI Industries | Quality and Experience | Human Development | Partnerships