Left to right: Ft. Lewis Express Supply employees Michael Walker, Brenda Shaw, Mike Soriano
Our Base Supply Center (BSC) operation broadened its scope in 2009. Most notably, we expanded our outside sales team to take on an ambitious project of selling to the Federal community in the greater Seattle area. Based out of our McChord Express Supply location, sales representatives work with the Contact Center at the Seattle Lighthouse to identify opportunities within 50 miles of the BSC to sell Lighthouse and AbilityOne products to the Federal customer, as well as to promote and fulfill our mission.
In addition to expanding into the greater Seattle community, we experienced continued strong sales and support at our four current BSC locations: McChord AFB, Fort Lewis, Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada, and Point Loma in San Diego. Our efforts to open new Express Supply stores at North Fort Lewis, China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, and Fort Irwin National Training Center in California moved forward this year, with planned openings for all three stores in the 2010 calendar year. To accommodate for this growth, due in large part to adding a second store at Fort Lewis, we anticipate adding eight to ten more visually impaired employees to the Lighthouse team.
Overall sales for fiscal year 2009 came to $14.6 million, 9% lower than anticipated, with sales of AbilityOne items coming in at $3.3 million. Our gross profit came in under expectations by 7%, with web sales decreasing 25% over fiscal year 2008 due to deployment.
“I am glad for the employment opportunities at the Lighthouse. I got a second chance and am now able to provide for my family.”
— Mike Soriano, Express Supply Clerk
