Skip to Content

Let’s Talk Business(800) 550‑6005

Employment Helpline(844) 426-2253

Search Jobs

Manufacturing

cleaning in a hotel room

GDS expands its social mission and its business, with the help of PRIDE Industries.

Established in January of 2000, Granite Data Solutions (GDS) is a California Certified Disabled Veteran Owned Enterprise (DVBE) specializing in Client Lifecycle Management with a focus on serving state and local government entities, as well as education-related organizations.

Situation

Driven by the same mission to create job opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities, GDS partnered with PRIDE Industries for assembly and kitting in 2012. PRIDE Industries has since supported the business through its outgrowth of two buildings. Then, in 2018, when GDS expanded further and needed on-site packaging and shipping support, they turned again to a provider they knew they could count on.

Solution

After an evaluation, five work groups, composed of 15 employees with disabilities, were created to handle GDS’s IT-related deployment and depot-style service projects. For every work group hired by GDS, PRIDE Industries provided a work group trainer to help employees with developmental disabilities learn and succeed in their jobs.

With consulting help, GDS earned its Processed Food Registration (PFR) certification from the California Department of Health in October 2018. Instruction and training involved implementing safety, quality, and fulfillment guidelines—including proper food handling procedures, allergen separation, shipping, receiving, and lot code tracking. In addition, PRIDE Industries helped GDS develop its pricing and shop rate. Production lines, using lean manufacturing methods, were also created.

With GDS’s new food processing business plan implemented, work groups now help run up to four food-packing lines and handle shipping for four new customers.

Services Provided

  • Kitting and assembly
  • Pricing and shop rate development
  • Assistance in running up to four food packaging lines
  • Implementation of safety, quality, and fulfillment guidelines
  • Shipping, receiving, and lot code tracking
  • Creation of production lines using lean manufacturing methods

Results

  • Continued annual expansion
  • Processed Food Registration (PFR) certification
  • Four new business accounts acquired
  • Over 7,000 pallets per year
  • 24 truckloads per month
  • Expansion of mission of providing job assistance and training to people with disabilities.
  • Hiring of PRIDE Industries-trained individuals with developmental disabilities for its permanent staff
GDS logo

Highlights

15

individuals with developmental disabilities

8
years of business partnership
>7,000
pallets shipped per year
20
work groups of individuals with disabilities

“It’s been amazing to see what PRIDE Industries and GDS have been able to achieve in such a short amount of time. We’re excited to see what our partnership will bring in the future.”

— Brigg Goodwin, President, Granite Data Solutions

Over the last two years, a growing  trend has multiplied, resulting in increased awareness for consumers, suppliers, investors, and those who facilitate the transfer of goods: Social responsibility.  Or, more broadly, environmental, social, and governance (ESG). And now, more than ever, the supply chain is factoring in—not only when it comes to satisfying consumer demand, but also regarding product returns.

Recently, the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA) explored this very topic in a webinar titled, “Why Using Nonprofits for Returns Management is Socially Responsible.” The webinar featured moderator, Tony Sciarrota, Executive Director and Publisher of RL Magazine, and three expert panelists: Claudia Freed, President and CEO of EALGreen; Travis Laws, President of WIN Warehouse; and Bob Anderson, Business Development Executive for PRIDE Industries. 

The discussion was one of depth and breadth; however, ESG dominated the conversation—notably transparency in the return process as well as re-use and environmentally ethical disposal of goods. Further underscored was an increasing shift in consumer awareness when it comes to requiring companies to be socially and environmentally responsible—an expectation that includes the entire supply chain. And to satisfy these expectations, companies are requiring their suppliers and transporters to have some kind of ESG framework in place.

“Almost every RFP or RFI that comes out now has some questions about what you do about sustainability,” said Bob Anderson of PRIDE Industries. “Also, what you do about people and your hiring practices.”

“Two-thirds of an organization’s ESG commitments lie with its suppliers”

– Jagmeet Lamba, Forbes Council Member

A 2021 McKinsey report supports Anderson’s observation. Referencing this report, a recent Forbes article summarizes that “two-thirds of an organization’s ESG commitments lie with its suppliers.” The article further notes “. . . choosing the right supplier partners and managing them well is perhaps the most impactful decision for a company when it comes to sustainability.”

This is where nonprofits, when it comes to returns management—and supply chain, in general—shine. Because they are largely mission-driven, nonprofits typically already have a positive social or environmental focus built in. For example, both EAL Green and WIN Warehouse leverage used/donated materials—Green, to fund college scholarships and WIN, to help companies save on taxes while repurposing used materials. And PRIDE Industries? This social enterprise leverages its business services to create employment for people with disabilities.
Also built into each of these nonprofit’s business models is transparency.

In the webinar, Claudia Freed of EAL Green notes, “. . . transparency has now become an organizing principle . . . a nonprofit helps generate that value proposition.” She goes on to explain that, unlike a traditional corporation, a nonprofit must disclose its tax returns which, for example, reveal the highest-earning employees’ salaries. This requirement speaks to the “social” element of ESG, allowing stakeholders to discern the level of “pay equity” an organization cultivates.

When it comes to supply chain and reverse logistics, transparency is also achieved through traceability throughout a product’s lifecycle. Again, nonprofits are uniquely positioned to leverage their already-in-place transparency measures. For instance, because nonprofit donors want to know what their donations fund, nonprofits tend to be structured around allowing them to do this with relative ease.
“From a returns standpoint,” said Bob Anderson of PRIDE Industries, “we have a responsibility to show our customer where, when, and in what condition an item was received.” Anderson went on to say, “For example, if a company says to salvage part 1, 2, and 3, we act as a vehicle between them and the recycler—with transparency every step of the way. Plus, our customers get the added social impact of employing people with disabilities.”

Unfortunately, the benefits of using nonprofits for supply-chain needs aren’t yet on many companies’ radar. But the webinar’s panelists see that changing.

“I think the market is going to demand it,” said Travis Laws of WIN Warehouse. “Increasingly, consumers are going to want to know more and more. And we’ve seen that from younger generations.” Laws went on to note that the new generation of customers will, in time, be investors who carry their ESG awareness forward.

“The concept has evolved, from a charity that would go out with its hand” [out . . . to] “shaking hands . . . being a partner,” Freed, of ELAGreen, pointed out, underscoring the fact that nonprofits can, increasingly, offer the same business advantages to customers that traditional corporations do—while also offering tax breaks and a positive social impact.

“It’s a matter of awareness,” said Anderson, mentioning that a tech giant has relied on PRIDE Industries’ kitting and packaging services for 15 years—the kind of partnership many potential customers don’t yet associate with a nonprofit.

“It’s going to take time to change people’s mindsets,” continued Anderson. “And I’m confident that we will get there.”

Want to learn more?

The reverse logistics cycle is a key touchpoint for customers—a foundational process that provides opportunities to influence and improve customer loyalty. Find out how you can optimize the reverse supply chain to enhance the customer experience.
Read More

“. . . choosing the right supplier partners and managing them well is perhaps the most impactful decision for a company when it comes to sustainability.”

– Jagmeet Lamba, Forbes Council Member

America is Getting Fit with the Help of PRIDE Industries

Heart Zones is a pioneer in the field of science-based heart rate training programs and devices. Founded by Sal Edwards and headquartered in Sacramento, Calif, Heart Zones sells wearable technology, including the Blink Armband ™, a lightweight heart rate monitor that converts data into individualized, actionable exercise prescriptions.

Situation

When Heart Zones wanted to reshore assembly and packaging services for the Blink Armband ™, they immediately thought of PRIDE Industries. Back in 1990, PRIDE Industries had successfully manufactured Sal Edwards’s Fleet-Feet branded snowshoes. So, when Heart Zones ran up against an irregular order pattern for their armband, necessitating an agile supply chain, Sal knew PRIDE Industries would be able to do it all—with an emphasis on quality control.

Solution

The PRIDE Industries manufacturing team was able and equipped to address Heart Zone’s needs from start to finish, assembling the Blink Armband ™, buying the raw goods, cutting, packaging, and even storing Heart Zones’ parts and products on-site in the U.S. as opposed to overseas. This holistic approach allowed Heart Zones to maintain an agile supply chain and focus on doing what they do best: get their product to market.

Services Provided

  • Raw goods purchasing
  • Cutting and Assembly
  • Component Building
  • Packaging
  • Storing Inventory for Heart Zones
  • Employs 10 People with Disabilities
  • Between 2M and 3M in Sales Annually
heart zones logo

Highlights

$2-3M
in sales annually
10

people with disabilities employed

“How they build things and how they think through it and their willingness to support—We’re thrilled to work with a company that’s headquartered near us, that supports our community, and that can make a quality product.”

— Sal Edwards

Infor recognizes the social enterprise for exceptional use of cloud technology in the Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing category

Roseville, Calif. — PRIDE Industries, the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, has been awarded the Infor Customer Excellence Award for Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing by Infor, the industry cloud company. These annual awards recognize customers that drive innovation and showcase exceptional business results. Award winners and finalists from around the world were acknowledged during Inforum Digital, Infor’s flagship event for customers, partners, and special guests, Jan 25-26.

 

“To succeed in our mission to create employment for people with disabilities, we must be as competitive in price, quality, and delivery as any for-profit business,” said Alan McMillan, Chief Information Officer at PRIDE Industries. “This award is validation that we are a business-driven as well as a mission-driven company. At PRIDE Industries, we strive to benefit our customers with innovative solutions, so it is gratifying to be acknowledged for our operational and business excellence.”

 

PRIDE Industries’ Aerospace and Defense line of business offers ITAR-registered manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution services to the aerospace and defense industry. Since 1987, PRIDE Industries has been a trusted partner to the U.S. government and federal contractors.

 

In 2020, PRIDE Industries faced the challenge of maintaining dozens of customizations that were created in previous on-premises solutions. By implementing Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense, the company optimized its business processes and eliminated dozens of customizations while gaining the ability to quickly respond to customer, supplier, and regulatory needs. The company’s IT resources are now able to execute on multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously, and operational efficiency has improved considerably.

 

“Infor is proud to award PRIDE industries the Infor Customer Excellence Award for Aerospace and Defense,” said Infor EVP & Global Chief Customer Officer Nancy Mattenberger. “It is always great to see an existing customer recognize the wide array of advantages that come through digital transformation. We look forward to helping PRIDE Industries continue to grow while simultaneously prioritizing employee safety.”

 

Infor provides critical enterprise applications to 65,000 customers in more than 175 countries. For this award, a panel of Infor solution and industry experts selected customers that grew their business, improved their customer experience, and drove change in their industry. Nominees were evaluated on scope and depth of performance improvement, quantifiable business benefits, customer focus and satisfaction, and technology use and innovation.

 

“Thank you, Infor, for selecting us and highlighting our business capabilities for the Aerospace and Defense industry,” said McMillan. “PRIDE Industries is on a journey to implement many of the application accelerators provided by Infor to help manage all aspects of supply chain logistics and manufacturing.”

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, aerospace and defense manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day. 

Learn More

Take your business performance to the next level

Partner with PRIDE Industries for cutting-edge aerospace and defense manufacturing services. Find out how we utilize the latest technology and trusted quality control to serve your business.
Learn More
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

SMT & Packaging Magazine recognizes the social enterprise in the Contract Service category

tony lopez holding manufacturing award
Tony Lopez, Vice President, Manufacturing & Logistics Services at PRIDE Industries

Roseville, Calif. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRIDE Industries has received SMT & Packaging Magazine’s 2021 GLOBAL Technology Award in the Contract Services category. Within this category, the social enterprise was recognized as a leader in engineering services and strategic supplier management. 

 

The prestigious GLOBAL Technology Award is designed to promote best practices in key areas including manufacturing quality, customer service, sales growth, innovation, and employee motivation. Award recipients were announced at a ceremony during Productronica, the world’s leading trade fair for electronics development and production, which took place in Munich, Germany.

 

PRIDE Industries is known for its technology and electronics manufacturing service offerings, which include Class I and II medical device manufacturing, cable and harness assembly, and full system integration.

 

“PRIDE Industries is honored to receive such an esteemed technology award in recognition of our contract services,” said Tony Lopez, Vice President, Manufacturing & Logistics Services at PRIDE Industries. “In the United States, we are the leading employer of people with disabilities, and this award proves the value of our inclusive workplace model to meet the unique business needs of competitive global companies.” 

 

PRIDE Industries’ broad range of customizable manufacturing solutions includes printed circuit board assembly and surface mount technology. In addition, PRIDE Industries’ deep experience in electronics manufacturing has made the company a reliable reshoring partner for those customers seeking to minimize supply chain disruptions, optimize fulfillment processing, and benefit from flexible, on-demand inventory schedules.

 

The GLOBAL Technology Awards have recognized the very best new innovations in the printed circuit assembly and packaging industries since 2005. This awards contest brings together the global SMT and advanced packaging industry in a celebration of the companies and people that are achieving the highest standards and driving the electronics manufacturing industry forward. Entries were submitted from equipment, materials, and EMS companies of all sizes.

 

“Thank you, Global SMT & Packaging Magazine, for selecting PRIDE Industries and spotlighting our high-quality manufacturing and packaging capabilities for global customers,” said Lopez. 

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and staffing and recruitment services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day. Learn more at https://PRIDEIndustries.com.

Need employment placement support?

Contact our I AM ABLE Helpline to discuss your options.
Contact us
tony lopez holding manufacturing award
Tony Lopez, Vice President, Manufacturing & Logistics Services at PRIDE Industries
Media Contact
Kat Maudru
(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

PRIDE Industries is proud to be the winner of Global SMT & Packaging Magazine’s 2021 GLOBAL Technology Award in the Contract Services category. This award recognizes PRIDE Industries’ innovation in electronics manufacturing processes, engineering services, and strategic supplier management. We’re honored to receive this industry recognition for delivering top-quality results for our customers across all our contract manufacturing services.

 

During the past few years, we’ve focused on developing market-leading innovations and delivering best-in-class service. Our first-pass yield rates, for example, are consistently above 98%. Our prototyping services also exceed industry standards—we typically turn PCBA prototypes around in 3-5 days, and can often reduce turnaround time to 2 days. In addition, we’re experts at helping companies maximize the benefits of reshoring—including cost-savings, streamlined production, and faster time to market. Our customers know they can rely on us for all these benefits, as well as competitive pricing and highly responsive customer service.

 

In addition to electronics contract manufacturing, PRIDE Industries offers several other crucial manufacturing services, including logistics and supply chain management, contract packaging, and fulfillment. Our customers include both private and public organizations nationwide.

 

The 2021 GLOBAL Tech award highlights PRIDE Industries’ expertise and our ability to help customers achieve quality, speed to market, and efficiency at scale. This recognition represents years of innovation and commitment to manufacturing best practices, which have enabled us to keep pace with the supply chain challenges happening globally.

We can help your business grow

We offer cost-effective electronics manufacturing services in a wide variety of industries.
Learn More

Thank you, Global SMT & Packaging Magazine, for selecting our organization and highlighting a company that delivers business excellence with a positive social impact.

Tony Lopez, Vice President, Manufacturing & Logistics Services

 

Manufacturing Capabilities

  • Class I & II medical device manufacturing
  • Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and mixed Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly
  • Full system integration
  • Cable and harness assembly
  • Diverse engineering services
  • Prototype services
  • Scalable and flexible capacity planning
  • Procurement and materials management services
  • Forecasting and demand planning services
  • Supply chain management
  • Quality and regulatory control
  • Order fulfillment and warranty services
  • Conformal coating
  • Full product traceability
  • Complete product integration
  • Small-batch sub-assembly

Certifications

  • CA Medical Device Manufacturing License
  • ISO 13485:2016 certified
  • ISO 9001:2015 certified
  • FDA 21 CFR Part 820 Compliant