LC Industries, the base supply center, celebrated 20 years as a Fort Jackson tenant this week.
The grand re-opening of the company's new location was held at 2505 Washington St. with Fort
Jackson key leaders, LCI executives, key personnel from South Carolina Commission for the
Blind and the National Industries for Blind in attendance to inaugurate the building.
"The building had outlived its usefulness, it was deteriorating and that's really why we had to
get out," said store manager Chris Graham. "Coming here to this new place, it is really great."
The $2.5 million building is an estimated 18,000 square-feet with a larger sales floor, a spacious
warehouse that includes higher ceilings, improved pallet rack shelving to store merchandise
and a modern HVAC system. The walls are wider and don't feel as claustrophobic, said Graham.
"It's more spacious, we have a lot more room to work and it's better equipped for our health,"
said LCI employee Carlos Cockfield.
"I like the building but I have to get used to where the items are located," said Staff Sgt. Stacia
Wilson, of the 1052nd Transportation Company.
LCI invited 14 vendors to display their merchandise for possible purchase, and showed their
appreciation with free food and drinks for guests at the celebration.
LCI began serving Fort Jackson in June 1996 in a building that was constructed in 1941.
The company, formerly known as SSSC, was founded under the Wagner-O'Day Act to provide
employment for the blind and to manufacture mattress for the military.
The company notes that they are the United States' largest employer of the blind.
"We've (LCI) come a long way in terms of efficiency, in terms of customer friendly stores," said
Tommy Thomas, director of National Industries for the Blind.
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