ReadyOne Industries Re-Opens Its Doors For Business
EL PASO, TX. – When a company lays off more than half the workforce, and replaces its entire board – it generally leads to disaster.
But ReadyOne Industries went through it all and Wednesday opened its doors to the media for the first time since the shakeup.
“It certainly has been somewhat of a challenge,” said ReadyOne’s new CEO, Tom Ahman. “We have to sell the El Paso community on the honesty, integrity and the future of our business.”
In March of 2006, the company was found to be employing only7% percent blind or severely disabled workers, when the number was supposed to be 75%. Tripper Goodman, Chairman of the ReadyOne board, says the numbers are much different now.
“Right now, we’re not only in compliance, but we’re probably the top firm in the country in the Ability One program,” Goodman said. ReadyOne keeps track of all the manpower hours of employees by usinga computer, which is attached to every work station.
ABC-7spoke with some of the disabled employees Wednesday and theysaid itis a much different place than it was when it was being investigated “I am completely blind for the last 20 years,” said Martin Rosales whowas shot in the face in 1987.
“They wanted me to become part of a gang. I refused, so they tried to kill me. They shot me with a shotgun.” Rosales has worked for ReadyOne for the past six years.”There used to be more regular people with no disabilities. Now they have more disabled people working here.”
Goodman added, “In the past, there was a lot of questions about how many disabled worked here. Are we out from underneath the Bob Jones era at this company now? Yes,I think we are.”
