Bosma Enterprises Entering Commercial Market
Bosma Enterprises in Indianapolis is bringing its health and safety products into the commercial retail market though its new Good Works brand. Vice President of Commercial Sales Lee White says the expansion will provide more job opportunities for Hoosiers who are blind or visually impaired and face a 62 percent unemployment rate. He says Bosma is in talks with several retailers to carry the brand’s first product, Good Works Ice Melter.
White says the Good Works brand will change the lives of a population in "desperate need" for jobs that provide financial independence. More than half of Bosma’s employees at all levels of the organizations have vision loss. Proceeds from Good Works product sales will fund the organization’s programs to help Hoosiers who are blind or visually impaired adapt to life without sight.
Bosma says Good Works Ice Melter uses a formula that can melt ice in temperatures as low as -16 degrees Fahrenheit. White says feedback from local retailers has been positive, and the organization is moving toward an e-commerce platform as well next spring. Good Works plans to add work and safety gloves to its product offerings later this fall.
A crucial component of the effort, says White, is the opportunity to work outside of the government arena. He says while Bosma’s government division has had "amazing success" over the last 17 years providing gloves to VA hospitals throughout the United States, it’s important to diversify its product and service offerings and revenue opportunity in case of "any changes in our government relationship."
White says Good Works plans to add new health and safety products to its offerings this fall.