It's an honor any company would be pleased to receive, but the folks at Cottonwood Inc. in Lawrence are especially thrilled.
Earlier this month, Sharon Spratt headed to Washington, D.C., to accept a vendor award of excellence from the Defense Logistic Agency.
"We were very excited to receive this award," said Spratt, Cottonwood's executive director. "We were the only national nonprofit organization to receive this type of award. We received it because of 100 percent quality."
For the last few years, Cottonwood has had a contract with the U.S. Defense Department to manufacture cargo tie-down straps. All branches of the military use the straps anytime they move cargo.
And while 100 percent quality is a challenge for any company to achieve, at Cottonwood it's not just anybody doing the work.
"We've been recognized for these many years as a provider of services to people with developmental disabilities," Spratt said. "This award identifies us as a center of excellence."
On a normal workday, Cottonwood employees turn out up to 2,000 cargo straps. And even with those numbers, they maintain the highest level of quality possible.
"It's kind of a satisfaction of the hard work that the individuals do each day to make sure that we have a quality product," Spratt said. "So it does kind of energize folks to do the job well."
And it's energy not just from a job well done, but also for filling a niche in the community.
"Thirty years ago, people with disabilities lived at home with their families or they were in institutions," Spratt said. "It shows how people with developmental disabilities are contributing members of society. They're part of the work force, and we want to help them be a greater part of the work force."
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