Name tapes for the Air Force and the Marines, small arms cleaning swabs, mailing bags and manual cases, made by people who are blind or visually impaired, on federal work through the AbilityOne Program.
Lions Industries, in Grade 1 Braille
“Providing employment opportunities for non-sighted persons in a work setting that affords both income and dignity to the individual, with no compromise on the quality of the product.”
The supplier record
Four addresses in Kinston, one federal contract after another. Scroll the record.
April 1971
The N.C. Division of Services for the Blind asked the Kinston Host Lions Club for a workplace for the area's blind. After two years of study by the Host and Ram Neuse clubs, the shop opened on East Street.
1975 to 1976
A larger plant on East Lenoir Avenue and a new name, Lions Industries for the Blind, Inc. In 1976 the whole Lions District took it on, and it joined National Industries for the Blind.
1980
Cotton flannel swabs for the M16 and the M240, a thousand to a package, for DLA Land & Maritime. Lions Industries has been the only supplier ever since.
1992
Desert and Woodland MARPAT name and service tapes for DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia, seven inches long and one inch tall.
1995
Nine sizes of cotton drawstring mailing bag and an olive drab manual case, both for the General Services Administration.
October 2002
The present plant: 40,500 square feet, after West Vernon Avenue grew to 13,700. The same year the Air Force tapes and engraved name tags for Lackland began.
Seven products, most sold to the Federal Government under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. Each one is listed with its National Stock Number and the agency that orders it.
Supplier since 1992U.S. Marines name and service tapes embroidered on Desert and Woodland MARPAT, 7 inches long and 1 inch tall.
DLA Troop Support, Philadelphia, PA
Supplier since 1980Natural single nap cotton flannel swabs in two sizes, for the M16 rifle and the M240 machine gun. Lions Industries has been the sole supplier since 1980.
DLA Land & Maritime, Columbus, OH
Supplier since 2002Spice Brown (67196) embroidery on OCP material, worn on the OCP uniform coat: the Name Tape upper right, the USAF Tape upper left, and the Name Tape on the back of the patrol cap.
Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
Also made at 4126 Berkeley Ave
Lions Industries is looking for legally blind and blind employees to help fulfill government and military contracts. The more the plant grows, the more it can help the people who work here grow in independence and quality of life.
Textiles department
Operators for sewing and for manual and automated machine work.
Military Embroidery department
Embroidery machines plus specialized fusing and velcro equipment. These operators need usable vision.
Office staff
Varying skill levels, with specific areas of expertise required for some roles.
“This company gives blind people the chance to work to like they are doing there part in helping our military. They make name tapes, mail bags, gun swabs and maintenance cases all for the USA military.”
“I work here for 17 yrs. Great place to work. Good quality products. Great staff.”
“It's a wonderful place to work”
“High quality and great customer service!”
Since 2001, same address
The plant's apparel decoration division: commercial screen printing, embroidery, direct-to-garment printing and promotional items, from a veteran design team whose customers run from accredited national universities to restaurants seen on television.
252-527-3499 · 919-252-5050
Visit libgraphicsolutions.comCustomer service answers Monday to Thursday, 7 AM to 5:30 PM. Tell them the product or NSN you are asking about.
