Hiring veterans is a priority for industry heavyweights
ABC Supply, the largest North American roofing and building products wholesale distributor, is on track to hire 400 veterans in 2023.
The Beloit, Wisconsin-based company said the achievement will surpass its previous 2022 goal of hiring one veteran per day. It’s also just one example of the industry’s commitment to hiring veterans.
Today, LP Building Solutions announced it has pledged to support veteran hiring initiatives, including a new partnership with the Manufacturing Institute's Heroes MAKE America program.
According to ABC, veterans often encounter difficulties when seeking post-service employment. The distributor said it is committed to supporting the heroes and providing opportunities for them to find rewarding, lifelong careers.
The company’s strategic collaborations with organizations such as Military.com, RecruitMilitary and Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) help fulfill this hiring pledge by connecting ABC Supply with talented U.S. veterans.
“ABC Supply is a great fit for veterans,” said Leah Dixon, ABC Supply’s recruiting manager. “We offer an abundance of opportunities to leverage the skills they earned in the military. Our nation’s heroes will find a family at ABC Supply that welcomes them with open arms, has a strong sense of patriotism and acknowledges the benefits they bring to our locations across the country.”
In addition to hiring initiatives, ABC Supply reaffirms its commitment to veterans by:
- Supporting and fundraising for Homes For Our Troops: Since 2020, ABC Supply has been a platinum corporate partner of Homes For Our Troops — a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. Additionally, in 2022 and 2023, we raised money for Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) through our Indy 500 donation campaign. This year, we raised over $2 million for HFOT — and, with ABC Supply’s $1 million match, donated over $3 million to help veterans rebuild their lives.
- Showing respect and support for veterans: ABC Supply locations across the country and at the National Support Center led their own initiatives to recognize and thank veterans for their service. From Red Shirt Fridays to a special edition veterans company booklet to coordinating private fundraising events and volunteering at HFOT homes, there is a strong sense of American Pride and devotion to supporting veterans at ABC Supply.
“At ABC Supply, we deeply believe that veterans deserve our respect, support and thanks,” said Mike Jost, ABC Supply’s chief operating officer. “Our partnership with organizations like Homes For Our Troops and welcoming veterans to our family reaffirms our commitment to the military community.”
Learn more about ABC Supply’s hiring pledge at www.careers.abcsupply.com/military-commitment and find current ABC Supply opportunities and positions at www.careers.abcsupply.com/careers.
The Heroes Make America initiative provides certifications and career readiness training to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and military spouses for rewarding careers in manufacturing.
"We are proud to continue LP's long-standing support of our nation's heroes through initiatives like the Manufacturing Institute's Heroes MAKE America program," said LP Chair and CEO Brad Southern. "Since our founding, we have enthusiastically recruited veterans, guardsmen and reservists to join LP because they quickly become valuable members of our team who bring strong leadership, decision-making and commitment. To extend employment opportunities in support of our military families who have given so much for us is truly an honor."
By helping veterans apply the skills gained through their service to a career, the Heroes MAKE America program removes barriers for veterans to become leaders in the manufacturing industry, LP said. The Nashville, Tennessee-based company is one of the nation’s largest building product manufacturers.
With a 90% job placement rate, the Heroes MAKE America program collaborates with manufacturing companies to identify open positions and prepare veterans through essential manufacturing credentials and coursework.
"Every year, nearly 200,000 service members transition into civilian life with skills and experience perfect for a successful career in modern manufacturing," said Manufacturing Institute President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. "Our industry provides excellent opportunities for veterans seeking a new mission. With today's generous investment by LP Building Solutions, the Manufacturing Institute's Heroes MAKE America program will be able to expand its reach and engage with an even more diverse coalition of members of the greater military community, introducing them to pathways to modern manufacturing. We appreciate LP Building Solutions' generous investment to this life-changing program and support of our nation's veterans and their families."
LP noted that it is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce that includes those who served in our armed forces. To fulfill these goals, LP has supported the hiring of veterans, building a supportive workplace, and offering comprehensive benefits to enhance their well-being.
In addition to supporting Heroes MAKE America, LP said that it prioritizes a culture that emphasizes support and belonging for veterans. Recently, LP team members Vanessa Dahlstrom and Bob Simpson received U.S. Department of Defense Patriot Awards for creating supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve.
"I have always felt that it is my responsibility to provide a workplace that acknowledges and honors the commitment of National Guard members and retired veterans," said LP Watkins Plant Manager Bob Simpson. "We appreciate what our armed forces do to protect our freedom, community, and citizens."
The company's support of active-duty service members and veterans extends to its philanthropy as well. In 2022, the LP Foundation named the Gary Sinise Foundation as its national nonprofit partner. LP and the LP Foundation provide monetary and product donations to help build specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for America's most severely wounded veterans and first responders.
