SWI Industrial hires new general manager

Springfield nonprofit SWI Industrial Solutions Inc. hired a new general manager to succeed its retiring leader.

JW Gibbs, who most recently worked as health care specialist for Reinhart Foodservice, started March 7. He succeeds John Foley, who is scheduled to retire March 31.

Gibbs said he was asked to interview for the position after volunteering with the organization for more than five years. He manages a roughly $3 million operating budget for the nonprofit that employs over 200 developmentally disabled workers to perform manufacturing subcontracting work for around 50 clients. Customers served have included 3M, Kraft, Pepsi and Redneck Trailer.

“It’s an incredible organization that frankly serves a huge purpose here in the community and has a significant economic impact,” Gibbs said.

This month, SWI is gearing up for one of its largest initiatives, a microbusiness dubbed Sunny Bunny, for which employees put toys or candy in plastic eggs. Leading up to Easter Sunday, Gibbs said the organization is on track this year to sell more than 12.5 million eggs - made by Harrison, Ark., by Johnson Manufacturing.

Formerly known as Springfield Workshop Inc., the organization’s services include packaging, assembly, and lawn and cleaning services.