A multi-year commitment by Ryder bolsters Goodwill’s mission to employ people with disabilities and other barriers to work
MIAMI (May 14, 2019) – Goodwill South Florida and Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a global transportation and logistics company, announced today a multi-year investment and naming of the Ryder Apparel Manufacturing Division at the non-profit’s headquarters in Miami. Inside the 250,000-square-foot facility, more than 1,100 people with disabilities and other employment barriers manufacture approximately six thousand U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force uniforms, as well as interment flags for military veterans, daily.
The partnership celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Ryder Charitable Foundation and the 60th anniversary of Goodwill South Florida, for which James Ryder, the founder of Ryder, is also one of three founders of Goodwill.
“It’s a natural fit,” said Ryder Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez. “Ryder and Goodwill share many of the same core values, including trust, innovation, expertise, and community collaboration; and, we align our charitable giving with organizations that demonstrate those ideals. Our goal is to help create successful communities, and helping people pursue skills training and employment is one of the most impactful things we can do.”
“As a manufacturer of complex military gear, there was no question as to which corporate partner we would collaborate with to name our apparel manufacturing division,” said Goodwill South Florida CEO David Landsberg. “Not only do we share a long history with Ryder, but both organizations focus on training and job placement to provide individuals with greater independence. It’s a perfect partnership.”
As the 17th largest employer in South Florida, Goodwill provides jobs to more than 3,100 people annually through an innovative social enterprise model, including retail stores, donation centers, apparel manufacturing, custodial services, and commercial laundry services for companies and government agencies. Goodwill has served families and communities by continuing to be a leading workforce development nonprofit, providing people with disabilities and other barriers to work with an opportunity to enter the workforce. The Ryder Apparel Manufacturing Division assists its program participants to train and develop skills, providing hope and opportunity that moves them to greater independence.
Recognized as one of Recruit Military’s Most Valuable Employers, Ryder has hired more than 8,000 veterans since late 2011, including more than 1,400 in 2018. The distinct logistical, mechanical, and leadership skills gained through military service are a great asset to Ryder’s organization. Veterans fill a variety of roles important to Ryder’s transportation and logistics operations, including diesel mechanics, truck drivers, logistics managers, and other professional support positions.
Forbes recognizes Goodwill as one of the top five most innovative and impactful social enterprises of 2019 and one of America’s 25 most inspiring companies of 2018. For the seventh consecutive year, Ryder has been named by Fortune magazine as one of the World's Most Admired Companies, ranking as one of the top five companies within the trucking, transportation, and logistics industry.
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About Goodwill South Florida
Goodwill South Florida, serving Miami, Broward, and Monroe counties, is the 17th largest employer in South Florida. The nonprofit’s mission is training, employment and job placement for people with disabilities and other barriers to work, helping individuals increase productivity and achieve greater independence. Last year, the agency provided job training services to 6,800 South Floridians. Goodwill South Florida is one of the most cost-effective non-profits in the U.S with 95 percent of its budget going directly to programs that are aimed at people with disabilities and other barriers to work. For more information, please visit goodwillsouthflorida.org or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.
About Ryder
Ryder is an $8.4 billion Fortune 500® commercial fleet management, dedicated transportation, and supply chain solutions company. The company’s stock (NYSE: R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the S&P MidCap 400® index. Ryder, which provides commercial truck rental, truck leasing, used trucks for sale, and last mile delivery services, has been named among “The World’s Most Admired Companies” by Fortune, as well as one of “America’s Best Employers” and “America’s Best Employers for Women” by Forbes. The company is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices in third-party logistics, environmentally-friendly fleet and supply chain solutions, world-class safety and security programs, and hiring of military veterans. For more information, visit www.ryder.com or our newsroom, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
For Information Contact:
Goodwill South Florida Ryder System, Inc.
Rafael Brazon-Di Fatta Anne Hendricks
305.929.9783 305.500.4547
rafael@thinkbsg.com amhendricks@ryder.com
