The Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities recently celebrated Schnellecke Logistics Company of Woodstock as the Large Business Employer of the Year. The prestigious award was presented during a statewide ceremony organized by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) and held at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The honor recognizes Schnellecke’s exceptional commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, where individuals with disabilities are given the opportunity to contribute their unique talents and skills.
Governor Kay Ivey, a staunch advocate for workforce inclusivity, praised Schnellecke’s dedication to promoting a diverse labor force and noted that it exemplified the limitless potential of individuals with disabilities when provided with employment opportunities. She stated, ” It is the dream of all Alabamians to find a good job and provide for themselves and their families. My administration is equally committed to that goal,” she said. “Today – as our state is experiencing one of the most promising job markets for all applicants in many decades – it is time for people of all abilities to join our workforce.”
For Dennis Horton, Director of Personnel for Alabama, receiving the award was an awe-inspiring experience. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “To be awarded something for what we consider intrinsic for what we do as a company and as a business was astonishing to us. It’s just part of what we do, and to be recognized by the governor and the state of Alabama is a tremendous honor.”
Schnellecke Logistics was nominated for the award by ADRS Business Relations Consultant Bobbie Stephenson, who highlighted the company’s profound understanding of the value of hiring employees with disabilities.
Horton extended his appreciation to the ADRS for its invaluable partnership, which ensures that employees with disabilities are adequately supported in their roles. He emphasized, “Schnellecke is honored to partner with ADRS. It allows us the opportunity to afford men and women with disabilities, visible or invisible, to come and work with us in an accessible location and with a management team that understands that they are a valuable part of the workforce.”
Schnellecke’s operations in Alabama are no small endeavor, employing 1,400 team members dedicated to serving Mercedes. Their services encompass internal logistics and packaging for overseas shipments. Horton outlined the company’s mission to make the entire Alabama operation accessible, with significant achievements noted in packaging logistics in Woodstock. He emphasized, “If you’re passionate about it, you can make a workplace accessible. It’s just finding the opportunity and putting the management team in place that understands that.”
ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw commended Schnellecke’s outstanding commitment to inclusivity, highlighting it as yet another example of how businesses can be positively impacted when they hire skilled and talented individuals with disabilities. She noted, “Today, it’s more important than ever to bring attention to the advantages of hiring individuals with different abilities. At ADRS, we see Alabamians every day who, with support and the right accommodations, are helping businesses all over the state fill needed vacancies with their talents, abilities, and pure enthusiasm for their jobs.”
The Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Awards aims to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and successes of individuals with disabilities and the businesses that actively provide opportunities for them to achieve competitive, integrated employment.
Founded by the Alabama Legislature in 1994, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) serves Alabamians with disabilities, helping them reach their maximum potential. ADRS adopts a continuum-of-care approach, ensuring support and resources are available to Alabamians with disabilities at every stage of life.
Schnellecke Logistics Company’s receipt of the Large Business Employer of the Year Award is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, setting an inspiring example for businesses across the state of Alabama. The celebration of their dedication underlines the importance of fostering an inclusive workforce that allows individuals with disabilities to shine, enhancing the quality of life for everyone involved.
