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Transcript
When Benbro Electronics opened its doors more than 15 years ago, its founders put in place this policy: at least 25 per cent of Benbro employees would be people with disability.
In 2007, Benbro is still going strong, having won lucrative contracts as a direct result of their disability employment policy.
John Bennett, Director of Engineering says, ‘Benbro designs and manufactures electronic equipment—mostly commercial and military stuff. We call it 'mission critical' equipment’.
‘When we started the business, my brother and I, of course we wanted to make some money, but we wanted to make a difference in the community and we wanted to be part of the community—and part of that is employing people with disabilities’.
‘I think people with disabilities discover that they do have a capability, that they do have some valued skills and they do become a valued member of the community’.
‘Customers love it. I think every person that does business with you respects the fact that you employ people with disabilities, and I think it includes them in the chain of employing people with disabilities. Even if they're unable to do it themselves, they feel included just because they're a customer of yours’.
Managing Director at Benbro Electronics, Steven Bennett, states: ‘I think there are plenty of common misconceptions about employing people with disabilities. However, I'd defer to the Benbro experience and say that in the employment of people with disabilities, you could finish up in exactly the same place Benbro is today—profitable, a retention rate of an average of 10.7 years per employee, a loyal workforce, a faithful workforce who are here and do a wonderful job. And frankly, Benbro would not be in the place it is today without people with disabilities’.
Strengthen your business by employing people with disability.
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