Frame shop provides jobs for disabled; a Michigan company supports disabled workers through the production and sale of custom framing, picture frames & gifts - shop talk - Kandu Industries creates Frame Works - Brief Article

Art Business News, August, 2002

A new frame shop in Holland, Mich., is proving that people with disabilities "can do" custom picture framing Opened last October, Frame Works is a recent venture of Kandu Industries, a $9-million, not-for-profit business that provides an array of vocational training and placement services for people with barriers to employment.

Frame Works offers picture frames, custom framing and a variety of gifts as well as featuring the works of D. Morgan, Sue Skeen and several local artists. Kandu Industries produces all of the frames sold in the store. These frames are also sold nationwide and through its retail factory outlet, frame it!, in Grand Haven, Mich., which has been open since 1997.

Kandu's mission is to provide employment opportunities through establishing commercial business ventures. "We believe that work in its many forms is the key to opportunity, independence and empowerment," said Tom Vreeman, c.e.o. of Kandu. "This store will provide the public with an opportunity to see and support the work accomplished by more than 300 challenged employees a day within our community."

Kandu's commercial frame production more than doubled in 2001. Through a partnership with art publisher and distributor Cottage Garden Collections, Kandu produces all of the frames for the company. When Cottage Garden obtained a licensing agreement with Morgan, Kandu worked with them to design a new line of frames and mats to present more than 400 works of art in a "Signature Collection."

"Our frames are now in every major gift, card and bookstore chain in the country. We decided to dedicate a site in Holland where our community can share and benefit from the success of our employees and provide our employees with a new work experience."

The results have been far reaching. On any given day, between 30 and 60 individuals are now working on the products brought to Kandu through this relationship. Kandu is currently responsible for the production of all frames, as well as complete assembly of the artwork into finished frames for packing and shipping.

For information, visit www.kandu.org.