Oberstar commends MDI on achievements

January 15, 2006

By Willow Loney

He has served in the United States House of Representatives longer than any other Minnesotan in history. He has sponsored hundreds of bills in the Legislature. He is currently the senior Democrat on the committee on transportation and infrastructure, and after trying his hand at welding United States Postal Service totes at the MDI facility in Grand Rapids, he said, "I think I better stick with my day job."

Representative Jim Oberstar, visited the Minnesota Diversified Industries facility in Grand Rapids on Friday. The company has recently gone through a major expansion of its building as well as its employee base and product sales. "I am so proud of what Minnesota Diversified Industries has done - job opportunities created, competitive skills in the marketplace, skilled development - all of you are part of that. You know what it means to be part of this success," said Oberstar to a group of MDI employees.

MDI, the company whose mission is "serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering progressive development and job opportunities in a competitive business enterprise" has its largest contract with the United States Postal Service for the mail totes.

MDI, the non-profit manufacturer of extrusion plastics, with facilities in Grand Rapids, Hibbing and St. Paul has recently developed new contracts with DHL and Federal Express.

"Be proud of what you do. Be proud of your accomplishments. Be proud of this new facility," said Oberstar to the employees gathered to hear him speak.

Later, Oberstar spoke with CEO Mark de Naray, CFO Lance Novak and Vice President of Government Business Betsy Jaros. de Nary said that he planed to speak with Oberstar about a concept that could use federal funding to help explore better access to transportation in this area. Lack of public transportation service has, at times, been a barrier to attracting and retaining qualified workers at the facility.

"If we can find a solution, it is a solution for everybody," said de Naray.

MDI hired more than 100 new employees in 2005 and intends to hire 50 more by March and another 50 by the end of 2006.

Source: Grand Rapids Herald-Review