“Everything we do is to reinvest in people with disabilities.”
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The words of Trent Jennison, Valley Industries chief executive officer speak to the culture of the Taree organisation that is widely acclaimed for its success in business and social enterprise.
Mr Jennison will speak at this month’s Forster-Tuncurry Business Chamber breakfast meeting on November 28.
Earlier this year Valley Industries took out the 2017 Excellence in Social Enterprise Award at the NSW Business Chamber Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards at Port Macquarie, and Mr Jennison also took out the top title of 2017 Business Leader. Winning the titles placed Valley Industries and Mr Jennison in the running for the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards and the category winners will be announced this Friday, November 17 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
Mr Jennison stepped into the top job at Valley Industries six years ago and during that time the organisation has undergone significant change and expansion.
There are now 13 distinct business units providing services and employment for 440 people – up from 230 people six years ago – a 91 per cent increase. Turnover has also increased from $4.5 million to $12 million.
Basically everything we do is to reinvest in people with disabilities.
- Valley Industries CEO Trent Jennison
“Profit just means more money to put back into people with disabilities, so our units have to be profitable but we have a social outcome, which is probably a greater profit than all in the sense of what we provide allows people to have dignity, it allows people to have respect and it creates a social aspect of work.
“It’s very important that people have some reason to get up in the morning and go to work, and for our 160 people with a disability, it’s all about coming to work and doing a days work and being a part of it, and feeling like they are part of the community and part of the population. They pay taxes and it’s a fairly unique and rewarding career.”
Former Greater Taree City Council mayor, Paul Hogan describes Mr Jennison as “a truly unique individual.”
“He is one of the most committed men I have ever known,” Mr Hogan said.
“He gives everything he’s got to everything he does – whether that’s his family, his friends, the community or the people he works with.
“If Trent was a public company I’d want to buy shares in him. I would be the first to subscribe. I’d be his major shareholder!”
The NSW Business Chamber’s Business Awards celebrates business excellence in NSW by recognising and rewarding outstanding businesses whose passion, determination, innovation and success inspire other businesses and business people.