NEWS RELEASE
DEDO to Recognize Delaware Manufacturer
Hirsh Industries to Celebrate Employee Safety Accomplishments
DOVER, Del. (Oct. 26, 2009) - Governor Jack Markell and Alan Levin, director of the Delaware
Economic Development Office, will join employees of Hirsh Industries, Inc. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at
1 p.m. for a special celebration of the company's safety accomplishments. Hirsh Industries employees'
have reached 500 consecutive days without a lost time injury, as of Oct. 25, 2009. In concurrence with
the safety accomplishments, the company is also honoring the years of service of all employees
spanning from 1 year to 40 years.
The Governor and Levin will be in attendance to congratulate and recognize the Hirsh employees' for
their tremendous achievements. In addition, Wayne Stewart, president of Hirsh Industries and Howard
Cook, CEO/CFO of Hirsh Industries will address the successes of the employees. A representative of
Holmes Murphy, Inc., worker's compensation insurance broker for Hirsh, will be presenting the
company with an award of accomplishment. Rick Shields, owner of Safety Compliance, Inc., as well as
other key contributors will also be in attendance.
Hirsh Industries is a Delaware manufacturer of office furniture located at 1525 McKee Road, Dover.
The company employs 185 employees in its 24/7 operation which produces vertical and lateral filing
cabinets and a variety of wood and metal constructed shelving units.
In 2006, with the assistance of a Workforce Training Grant from DEDO, Hirsh Industries began a
safety initiative to reduce the workplace injury rate. A 50 percent reduction in injury rates was
achieved in one year. Since that time, numerous continuous improvement projects have taken place and
are on-going.
"Business leaders like those at Hirsh Industries recognize that employee training and skills
development is more important than ever for companies to succeed," said Director Levin. "We are
proud to be part of this company's path to success and honored to be invited to celebrate the employees
who made it possible."
The results continue to improve as the company has developed a safety culture throughout the
organization. The company experienced 7 OSHA Recordable injuries over the last year, down from 42
in 2006. The goal moving forward is ZERO, according to company officials.
About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state of Delaware agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. DEDO is a Certified Economic Development Organization, accredited by the International Economic Development Council. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.
Contact:
Nikki Boone, Communications Manager
Delaware Economic Development Office
nikki.boone@state.de.us
302-672-6857
Ken Murr
EHS Administrator
Hirsh Industries, LLC
ken.murr@hirshindustries.com
302-678-3454 x512
