Wood-alternative decking and railing manufacturer Trex Company partnered with Wincheter, Va.-based NW Works, a non-profit organization that provides vocational training and job placement for physically and mentally disabled adults. The partnership, which began in August 2020, has led Trex to employ 14 NW Works clients at its processing and shipping facility, where the employees help assemble boxes for shipping Trex products and accessories to the company’s network of dealers, distributors, and retail customers.
“We feel very fortunate to have these hardworking individuals from NW Works as part of our team,” Zachary Lauer, vice president of supply chain for Trex Company, said in a news release. “The labor market is incredibly tight and competitive right now, so the employees who come to us from NW Works have become an essential part of our day-to-day operations.”
The jobs with Trex allow NW Works clients to remain active throughout the day and their work environment is clean and well-lit, with a noise level low enough so it is not problematic for individuals with sensory sensitivities.
“Many of our NW Works’ clients have been with Trex since the beginning of our relationship and have told us that it is their favorite place to work,” Lauer said. “That’s wonderful for us to hear because we love having them.”
As Trex continues to expand its production capacity at its Virginia facilities, it plans to grow its relationship with NW Works. The manufacturer said it anticipates at least doubling the number of clients it employs in the coming year.
