October 11, 2011

Dave Shaffer, President, CEO, dshaffer@depaulindustries.com
503-331-3816

DePaul Industries Celebrates 40 Years of Social Entrepreneurship

The Northwest outsourcing organization’s unique blend of business and social good has placed thousands of individuals with disabilities into jobs in Oregon and beyond

PORTLAND, Oct. 11, 2011 – DePaul Industries, the Northwest’s premier outsourcing organization, celebrates 40 years of service to its customers and people with disabilities with record-breaking numbers, significant accolades, and pioneering entrepreneurship that simultaneously solves business problems and provides social benefit.

DePaul Industries' mission is to help people with disabilities to have the opportunity to work. This is accomplished through a self-sustaining business model that generates 97% of revenue through the operation of three core businesses: food and consumer goods packaging, temporary staffing services, and security services—with no government subsidies accepted. To date, DePaul has trained or employed in excess of 15,000 people with disabilities and paid wages and benefits in excess of $150 million.

“Last year, DePaul Industries had an earned revenue of $24.9 million, with individuals with disabilities working a record-shattering 695,000 hours and earning over $10 million in wages and benefits,” said Dave Shaffer, President & CEO of DePaul Industries. “We owe a great deal of thanks to our customers and supporters, who recognize our success in both business solutions and social impact as grounds to celebrate.”

Since 1971, DePaul Industries has focused on its vision of changing the landscape of employment of people with disabilities while growing into the Northwest's most comprehensive outsourcing specialist. DePaul has consistently been ranked as a Top Staffing Firm determined by the Portland Business Journal for several years, and was also the recipient of the 2011 Oregon Ethics in Business Award in the Not-for-Profit Category. The organization has been honored by a number of publications as an exceptional place to work, including Oregon Business magazine's "100 Best Companies” and the Portland Business Journal’s “Most Admired Companies.”

The organization has also achieved international recognition for its unique business model, presenting in England, Spain, and Hungary in the past year. Locally, Portland Mayor Sam Adams has declared October 15, 2011 as "DePaul Industries Day” in recognition of DePaul’s achievements over the past 40 years.

DePaul Industries provides services through seven offices throughout Oregon, the Puget Sound area and Southwest Washington, and Sierra Vista, Arizona.

 

 

Corporate Information

• DePaul Industries Overview
• Board & Management
• History of DePaul Industries
• Mission & Values
• Location
• Press & Media Mentions