RLCB: Sight Impaired, Vision is Not

RLCB was the first non-profit organization to accept the 1B4NC award from North Carolina State University’s Industrial Extension Service (IES) on September 21st. RLCB, formerly known as Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, reported more than $6 million in economic benefit based on services provided by IES.

RLCB estimates a $4 million increase in sales, gains in productivity and new products. They’ve also added 40 jobs in one year, including a full research and development department, which no other National Industries for the Blind (NIB) associated agency can claim.

RLCB’s beginnings were humble, founded by a group of men who were as much thinkers and dreamers as they were pioneers. In 1966, having just completed the new building for the Lions Park, the Raleigh (HOST) Lions Club was looking for a new project to develop, so they provided $14,259 to operate the program for a year in order to provide evaluation, training and job placement services for people living with a vision loss.

Currently RLCB is a leader in textile cutting and sewing and has a long history in producing a wide array of products for the United States military under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act and the AbilityOne Program, a federal purchasing program that enables people who are blind to work and provide products and services to federal and commercial customers. In addition, RLCB operates seven military base stores throughout the U.S. supplying today’s war fighter.

RLCB credits IES specialist, Marie Griffin for communicating the ‘unknown opportunities’ that the outreach function of the NC State University College of Engineering offers in the name of continuous improvement. “We were in a box, and needed to find new and creative ways to continue to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind by diversifying our product and client base,” said Janet Griffey in relation to the old philosophy of churning out government contracted products.

Griffin, who had already helped the organization incorporate lean manufacturing principles, suggested an idea-generating process that focused on top-line growth called Eureka!.

Eureka! Winning Ways is a disciplined system for discovering and developing ‘Measurably Smarter Choices for Top-Line Growth.’ EWW gave RLCB the ‘permission’ to be creative and to respond to the needs of customers outside their regular market.

And growth is what RLCB has encountered. On September 21, the RLCB staff, board and leadership team was recognized for their contribution of $6 million in economic benefit to the state.

RLCB’s vision continues to expand as they diversify products, services and ultimately, expectations.