Manufacturing

Building and Shipping Low-Cost, Lifesaving Medical Devices

3^rd Stone Design creates affordable medical products that protect the health of people and the planet. In addition to designing these critically important devices, 3^rd Stone Design also partners with other companies to create the businesses that bring these products to the global marketplace. 3^rd Stone Design has more than 15 years of experience, and also develops renewable energy systems and socially conscious consumer products.

Situation

Many medical solutions have traditionally been too expensive and complex to widely implement in developing countries. 3rd Stone Design is changing this by designing low-cost, essential medical devices. And when it comes to building these machines, the company has turned to PRIDE Industries not once, but twice.

In 2013, PRIDE Industries partnered with 3^rd Stone Design to build and ship its Pumani CPAP machine—an inexpensive airway device that can triple the survival rate of babies with respiratory distress syndrome. In just a few months, PRIDE Industries built and shipped over 1,000 of these breathing aids to 35 countries around the world. So in 2022, when 3rd Stone Design needed a manufacturing partner that could affordably build, package, and ship its new BiliDx system, the medical device company turned again to PRIDE Industries.

Solution

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns, affecting about 60% of babies worldwide. The disease is caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream, and usually resolves on its own within a few days. In rare cases, however, jaundice can lead to severe brain damage. This is why it’s so important to monitor bilirubin in babies who present with the condition’s telltale yellow skin and eyes. In many developing countries, however, the technology to measure bilirubin in the blood is expensive and hard to come by.

But that situation is changing, thanks to a new technology—the BiliDx System. This innovative diagnostic system uses a handheld medical device to measure an infant’s serum bilirubin levels. Invented by 3^rd Stone Design and built by PRIDE Industries, the device needs only a single drop of blood—applied to an inexpensive, disposable lateral flow strip—to immediately provide a precise reading. Because it’s portable, low cost, and highly accurate, the BiliDx System is an ideal solution for resource-constrained medical settings.

In addition to building, packaging, and shipping the BiliDx system, PRIDE Industries also provides affordable international shipping. This has led to significant cost savings for 3^rd Stone Design and its customers. This affordability, along with the product’s high accuracy, has made the BiliDx System a reliable diagnostic solution, helping economically developing nations combat neonatal jaundice—which affects 24 million newborns each year.

Services Provided

Building, packaging, and shipping of low-cost medical devices for the developing world.

Highlights

247

BiliDx Systems shipped

2,950

BiliDx test strips shipped

“PRIDE Industries has been an extraordinary partner in helping us scale and produce specially designed medical products for mothers and newborns in underserved communities throughout the globe.”

— Robert Miros, CEO, 3rd Stone Design

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

Highlights

individuals with developmental disabilities

years of business partnership

>7,000

pallets shipped per year

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.

“. . . 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

Highlights

$2-3M

in sales annually

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.

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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

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.

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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.