Lafayette Industries

 

Lafayette Industries is a contract packager offering shrink wrap, blister pack, display assemblies and other business services. Our mission is to exceed the customer’s expectations while employing hundreds of adults with disabilities within our business operations. Through extensive training and support programs employees learn to maximize their abilities to be successful in a productive and professional work environment. The result is high quality products and services at a competitive price on a timely basis.

On the business side of our operation, we again produced 10 million

packages. The partnership with McArthur’s bakery in Kirkwood, the

“Pioneer Café,” expanded to 17 participants learning social skills and the hospitality business, and we have now expanded into Jefferson County at the Wicked Chicken and Cool Beans café with 12 new participants.

There would be no Lafayette Industries were it not for Bob and Ethel McLuen, as well as a handful of other families who, back in 1976, were looking for a post-schooling work opportunity for their adult children with disabilities. With funding from the state of Missouri, they opened a modest, one room warehouse with an oil- and grease-filled floor in Valley Park, Missouri. There were 16 workers originally, including the McLuen’s son, Kenny, who retired to Nashville—but came to visit us twice this past year! As we enter our 49th year, we now provide opportunities for over 400 individuals. Wow.

The vision that founded Lafayette continues to hold true today as it did in 1976---to provide employment to deserving folks that gives them dignity through work and the opportunity to use their God-given talents and abilities. To Bob and Ethel, Boots and Bob Berry, Rev. Howard and Rosella Gleason, Bev, and Bob Hanson, and to the St. Mark congregation ---- we are forever indebted to you.