Greater Danbury Chamber Awards Grant To Newtown Company

By John Voket

Turning monstrous rolls of paper into hundreds of colorful and durable containers is what Rand-Whitney Container does best. And even though their reputation in the industry is among the best, company officials are always looking for ways to make it better.

Now, thanks to a new Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grant awarded through the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB), the Edmond Road company can make its operations a little bit leaner and even more competitive.

Greater Danbury-area grant recipients under the recent third round of funding include Rand-Whitney Container Newtown, LLC, Barden Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim, Branson Ultrasonics, Preferred Utilities Manufacturing Corporation, RR Donnelley, and Stew Leonard’s. Numerous other area organizations have been grant recipients under previous rounds of funding for a wide variety of training programs.

Rand-Whitney, a corrugated container manufacturer, was awarded a grant for Lean Manufacturing training. According to plant manager Lee Ferrid, the training will help the company reduce wasted time, wasted materials, and especially wasted money.

“The market now is tight,” said Mr Farris. “This training will help our managers and supervisors to become better problem solvers and facilitators so we can do more with less and produce more in less time.”

He said although staff members involved in the training have just begun the process, they are already applying what they have learned looking at ways to increase productivity and boost profits.

The Newtown company is owned by the Kraft family, and has the honor of being affiliated with the New England Patriots through that ownership.

In this, the third round of NRWIB funding made during the 2007-08 grant program, nine greater Danbury companies were awarded grants for a total of 11 individual training programs that include English as a Second Language (ESL), Fundamentals of Management, Lean Manufacturing, Microsoft Office 2007 and others that provide instruction in specific technical disciplines and skills.

“Helping greater Danbury organizations obtain IWT grants is an important part of our service to the community,” said Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber. “Due to these grants, more than one-half million dollars to date is being invested in making greater Danbury companies more competitive and productive and helping employees develop new skills and advance in their jobs.”

More than $107,000 in grants has been awarded to greater Danbury companies during the first three rounds of awards in the 2007-08 program. One additional round of funding is anticipated. Because they are 50/50 matching grants, these funds represent a regional workforce investment of more than $214,000.

Combined IWT grants for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 programs to date represent a regional workforce investment of more than $568,000 made possible in part through close and effective cooperation between NRWIB and the Greater Danbury Chamber.

Beginning with the 2006-07 program, the Greater Danbury Chamber partnered with Susan Blomberg, a business consultant and president of Empowerment Works. Ms Blomberg has been instrumental in increasing awareness of the IWT grant program in the community and continues to assist area companies in applying for and successfully obtaining funds, a service available to chamber member and nonmember companies alike without charge.

“Area employers tell me frequently that they have difficulty finding resources to fund needed training programs and they really appreciate the IWT grants,” said Ms Blomberg, “so I am passionate about helping companies take advantage of this great program.”

NRWIB is a partnership between government and private enterprise established by the governor’s office to promote job training services in 41 municipalities in the northwestern area of Connecticut, including all ten towns comprising the Greater Danbury region. By providing businesses with resources to invest in the workforce and improve employee skills, IWT grants help maintain the economic strength and viability of the region’s businesses.

IWT grants are designated primarily for small- and medium-size businesses in the health care and manufacturing sectors that would not otherwise be able to invest in training, although discretionary funds are available for organizations outside these parameters.

Applications for IWT grants are evaluated on a number of criteria, including whether the proposed training will result in demonstrated job retention, growth or increased wages; or will make a difference in the company’s productivity, competitiveness, and ability to conduct business in Connecticut.

Training programs funded through IWT grants are expected to focus on upgrading the skills of employees requiring training. Employees to be trained must work in Connecticut. Organizations receiving funds must demonstrate a 50 percent match in cash or in-kind contributions. To be eligible for funds under the current program, training must be completed by June 30, 2008.

For Mr Ferris, this grant will not only make it possible to bring Lean Manufacturing philosophies directly or indirectly to the local company’s entire workforce, but may create an opportunity to transplant some of that knowledge to other Kraft subsidiaries in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

“It’s these folks on the manufacturing floor who are the heroes of this operation,” Mr Ferris said. “So it’s wonderful that through this training we can help them see how they can each help contribute to making the company more competitive.”

Those interested in applying for IWT grants or who have questions about the program should call 743-5565 or e-mail: info@danburychamber.com.