Airpark business receives Goodwill award

Lloyd's Inc., manufacturer of cleaning solvents and tenant at the Port Authority-owned Airpark industrial complex, received a Goodwill Industries Lifetime Achievement Award this spring.

Lloyd's All Purpose Cleaner & Lloyd's Cleaner Degreaser have been manufactured in Duluth since 1987. In 1996, Lloyd's entered into a lease agreement at the Airpark complex in order to consolidate production and accommodate the company's expansion needs.

Since that time, Lloyd's has participated in a Goodwill Industries program called "Supported Employment," where workers are trained to meet the demands of a productive work force. "It's all about satisfying the employee and the employer," said June Ellefsen, Goodwill Industries case manager. "Services include initial job training, job coaching, transportation, quality work instruction, long-term follow-up and extensive safety review. The support services are provided at no cost to the employer, and often tax credits are available for employers who hire individuals with a disability," she said.

June Ellefsen, Goodwill case manager, and Andy McDonough, Port Authority industrial and economic develop-ment director (right), were on hand to present Airpark business owner Lloyd Luke with the Goodwill Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lloyd's was recognized by Goodwill for providing employment for two to nine individuals on an annual basis; paying a competitive wage; producing physical accommodations by adapting the work environment to workers needs, including those in wheelchairs; accommodating individuals with mental health issues and providing a positive social environment.

Supported Employment worker William Stevens applies labels at a table adapted to his specific needs.

"Goodwill workers have proven to be dedicated, hard working and long-term employees," said Lloyd Luke, owner of Lloyd's, Inc. "We're proud to have them as part of our team, helping us provide `best in class' cleaning solutions for every type of stain, spill and general purpose cleanup."

Customers currently carrying or using Lloyd's cleaning products include regional Wal-Mart stores, the USS Great Lakes Fleet, Unipro Foodservice Systems Nationwide,  QVC Home Shopping Channel, EMCO Foodservice System, Alliant Foodservice System, Fleming Retail Grocery Distribution, SuperValu Grocery Distribution and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency vessels of the Great Lakes.

Airpark businesses now number 35 and employ more than 450 people.