A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News December 7, 2004 - Business partnership reaps honors for both Fey Publishing and ODC. By Karen Madden, Daily Tribune Staff A 30-year partnership between Fey Publishing and Opportunity Development Centers has contributed to honors for both organizations Last month, Fey Publishing of Wisconsin Rapids was named "2004 Vendor of the Year" by Neenah Paper Inc. of Georgia. In turn, Fey Publishing's president, Scott Gasch, honored ODC employees with an "Outstanding Partnership Award" for their contributions. ODC is a nonprofit organization that helps central Wisconsin residents with disabilities achieve their employment goals, and Fey Publishing is ODC's largest account, said Carol Ulrich, ODC's vice president of vocational Services. The partnership between the two companies extends back more than 30 years, said Pam Ross, ODC president. The ODC account employs 50 to 75 ODC people on a daily basis, she said. Rachel Cooney, 24, of Stevens Point has worked at ODC since 2001. Receiving the award from Gasch on Thursday was very exciting, she said. "In all the time I've worked here, nothing like this has happened before," Cooney said. "It was real nice." ODC does hand assembly jobs for Fey Publishing, Gasch said. The employees played a big part in Fey Publishing receiving the award from Neenah Paper in Atlanta on Nov. 5. "Neenah Paper is a huge corporation," Gasch said. "To receive this award was fantastic for this little company in Wisconsin Rapids. Considering all the vendors they deal with, this is great." When Gasch returned to Fey Publishing with the award, he told his employees they all contributed to it. Then, he decided to find a way to share it with the ODC employees. "We couldn't have done it without them," Gasch said. Fey Publishing employees are able to concentrate on the printing aspect of the business because of the hand assembly work the ODC employees do, Gasch said. "They are very, very skilled at what they do, and (ODC) supervision is fantastic," Gasch said. The quality control at ODC is stringent, Gasch said. Supervisors make sure every piece exceeds standards, he said. Char Pooman, ODC operations manager, said the work done for Fey Publishing is the kind of work that helps ODC employees develop finger dexterity Having the employees available to fill orders on short notice also helps Fey Publishing, Gasch said. Without them, it would take weeks to hire additional people and get them trained when specific jobs come in, he said. It also is rewarding knowing the work is helping ODC employees, Gasch said. ODC owes a great deal of gratitude to Fey Publishing for helping it to become the organization it is today, Ross said. "ODC and Fey Publishing have enjoyed a great working relationship for many years, one that has made both of our companies successful," Ross said. You can reach reporter Karen Madden at 422-6729 or kmadden@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
		Copyright © 2004, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome