Step Industries Celebrates 25th Anniversary

NEENAH – Step Industries, Inc., a Neenah-based non-profit organization that provides transitional employment to men and women who are in recovery for alcohol or other drug addiction, is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the month of November 2007. An open house is scheduled for November 9th over the noon hour at the company's Neenah office at 1010 Strohmeyer Dr.

Step Industries was founded in the fall of 1982 by an executive of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, who was himself in recovery.  After learning that employment for recovering people was frequently a problem – especially those early in the process - he organized Step Industries to handle labor-intensive projects for Kimberly-Clark and other companies.

"Our organization is proud to provide opportunity to recovering people to help get their employment record – and their lives – back on track," said Hugh Holly, CEO of Step Industries.  "By providing jobs for recovering people, as well as offering an affordable option for companies looking to outsource packaging, inspection and assembly work, Step Industries has been an important community partner over the last quarter-century."

Today, Step Industries employs over 80 people in Neenah and another 20 at its Milwaukee branch, which opened in 1997.  The company employs people from a wide range of backgrounds, some of whom have never had a job.  A majority of employees are living in halfway houses at the time of hire. Employees can expect to work on packaging or assembly projects, operate equipment, clean the buildings, or perform other tasks essential to the business.  The benefit of working with other recovering people in a culture of acceptance and support is of great importance.

The average length of employment is approximately six months, during which time employees are expected to stay clean and sober.  A majority of employees successfully secure a better job, return to school, or complete treatment and return home.

Step Industries earned their ISO 9001:2000 quality management system certification in February of 2007.  "Working with Step Industries has allowed us to focus on our core business," says Deb Bristoll-Weis, owner of Engineered Plastics in Menomonee Falls.  "They do an outstanding job and they do it on time."

Step Industries is primarily supported by the sale of services to its customers. The company expects sales to top $4 million in 2007.  More business, which equates to more jobs for recovering people, is needed.

"After a very successful 25 years of serving the community, we look forward to future growth and success in providing a valuable service to Northeast Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area," Holly said.