Real employment. Real community. Built into every order.
Every Order Supports Real Employment
MDI was founded in 1964 with a single purpose: create real jobs for people with disabilities. That mission has not changed.
Every contract we fulfill, every container we ship, and every partnership we build is connected to that purpose. Our customers don’t just get a reliable manufacturing partner. They get a business model that puts people first.
This is not a side program. It is how MDI operates.
A Community Partner Since 1964
For more than 60 years, MDI has been part of the fabric of Minnesota communities, creating stable, dignified employment for people who are too often overlooked by traditional employers.
What Our Mission Delivers
Why Inclusive Employment Matters
Employment is one of the most powerful tools for independence, dignity, and community connection. People with disabilities face significant barriers to meaningful work, and MDI exists to remove those barriers.
The impact extends beyond the individual. Stable employment reduces reliance on public assistance, strengthens families, and builds stronger communities. Every job MDI creates has a ripple effect.
When organizations choose MDI, they are choosing a business model that proves inclusion and performance are not in conflict.
How We Create Impact
Our impact is not accidental. It is built into our operations, our hiring, our training, and our culture
Get Involved
Whether you are a donor, a community partner, a mission-aligned business, or someone looking to volunteer, there is a place for you in MDI’s mission.
Learn more about our programs or start a conversation about how your organization can support meaningful employment.
Partner with a manufacturer driven by purpose.
Meaningful work changes lives, and we’re always looking for partners who share that belief. Whether you want to learn more about our employment programs, hire from our Unified Work Academy, or support our mission, reach out below. Let’s talk about how we can make an impact together.
Common Questions About MDI’s Social Impact
MDI’s mission is to create meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Founded in 1964, MDI has built its entire business model around inclusive employment, not as a side initiative, but as the core of how the organization operates.
MDI operates manufacturing and production facilities in Minnesota where people with disabilities perform real, skilled work, including contract packaging, kitting, assembly, and plastic container manufacturing. Employees receive training, job coaching, and long-term career support.
Yes. MDI’s commercial revenue directly funds its employment mission. When manufacturers outsource production to MDI or purchase corrugated plastic containers from MDI, that business supports the wages, training, and benefits of employees with disabilities.
MDI partners with Special Olympics Minnesota and Care Council, among other community organizations. These partnerships extend MDI’s mission beyond its facilities into broader community support for people with disabilities.
Organizations can support MDI by contracting for manufacturing services, purchasing plastic products, donating, sponsoring community programs, or volunteering at Special Olympics events. Contact MDI to learn which option fits your goals.
Yes. MDI publishes annual reports that document employment outcomes, community contributions, and mission metrics. These reports are available on the Publications & Reports page.
MDI operates as a mission-driven organization. Its commercial operations fund its employment mission. Contact MDI directly for information about its organizational structure and how donations or partnerships are structured.
MDI’s workforce model produces a stable, committed team with low turnover and strong institutional knowledge. Employees take pride in their work and are supported by structured training and quality systems. This translates directly into reliable execution for MDI’s customers.
Many MDI customers recognize their partnership with MDI as part of their supplier diversity, ESG, or social impact programs. Contact MDI to discuss documentation and reporting support for your program requirements.
MDI has been creating employment for people with disabilities since 1964, more than 60 years of consistent, mission-driven operation in Minnesota.
