SourceAmerica's Technology and Automation Enhancement Program
Synopsis
SourceAmerica® is increasing its network’s capacity and capability to provide products, Made in America, to the federal government by incorporating new automation equipment. In 2025, SourceAmerica's Technology and Automation Enhancement Program granted money to North Bay Industries, Mozaic, ReadyOne Industries, and Dawn Enterprises to purchase equipment that increased production and created more labor efficiency and stable output for employees with disabilities. From large steam presses to automated material handling systems, this equipment has created more accessibility and simplified tasks for the employees while increasing the efficiency of manufacturing American-made products including flags and uniforms for the United States military.
The Full Story
Automation is changing the way people with disabilities do their jobs for the better. Four AbilityOne® federal contractors in SourceAmerica's network received funding from the organization's Technology and Automation Enhancement Program (TAEP) in 2025 to invest in automation equipment to expand opportunities for people with disabilities. This automated equipment is improving productivity and efficiency to provide essential services and products, Made in America, for federal customers.
North Bay Industries (NBI) President and CEO Robert Hutt says their goal was to improve productivity and reduce waste. Employees at NBI manufacture American flags made entirely from products and materials that are certified "Made in America." North Bay Industries used TAEP funding to purchase a long arm machine, new cutting tables, and split needle machines. Hutt says the new technology and processes implemented by SourceAmerica's productivity engineers reduced production time and made the workstation more adaptable for the employee. For them, automation is making the work simpler and more efficient.
"It doesn’t take jobs away," Hutt said. "It's still one person, one machine, but it makes it easier. It takes the learning curve down. It takes the training time down and makes the employee more comfortable."
The new equipment is also boosting morale.
"We've got one station where an employee, after the changes, his productivity went up 150%," Hutt said. "He is very proud of himself. He's very happy with himself."
Among its many services, Mozaic employees manufacture cold weather headwear to support the United States Military sourced with American wool and fleece. Mozaic used the TAEP funding to purchase an Eastman Cutter and Spreader and a Hoffman Steam Press. Mozaic President and CEO Allen Connely said before the new equipment, their employees did more manual cutting, and some individuals don't have the manual dexterity to do that. Now, they use automated laser cutting which allows those employees to do the work. Connelly says automation has increased their efficiency by two to three times more.
"It has increased productivity, so we're able to make more hats at a time, making us feel better," Beth Caruso, Mozaic sewing machine operator, said.
ReadyOne Industries used the TAEP funding to purchase an ETON machine. It is an automated, overhead material handling system. With this new equipment, employees who sew military uniforms don't have to carry bundles of garments or wait for someone else to bring them garments before they can do their job. ReadyOne Industries President and CEO Craig Wellons said they have seen increases in production, better labor efficiency and more predictable stable output.
"Automation removes the parts of the job that are physically overwhelming, the heavy lifting, twisting, long reaches, repetitive strain," Wellons said. "When you take those barriers out, suddenly, more people can work."
ReadyOne Industries sewing machine operator Bernadina Chavez, who is blind, said the automation equipment makes her job more accessible, because she does not have to rely on anyone else to bring her materials. Before the ETON system, Chavez could pick and turn about 260 cargo pockets a day. Now, she says she can do about 350.
Chavez is incredibly proud of the work she does to support the military, and this new equipment allows her and her coworkers to challenge each other to improve the amount of work they are doing every day.
"It feels very good to be productive, to feel that you can do something not only for your family, but for our soldiers," Chavez said.
Dawn Enterprises used the TAEP funding to purchase an accumulator table and a new automated cutter. All four of these AbilityOne federal contractors are using automation to expand opportunities for people with disabilities and enhance their organization's capability and capacity to support federal customers across the country. SourceAmerica will continue its Technology and Automation and Enhancement Program in 2026.
If you or someone you know is looking for a job, the SourceAmerica Job Board connects people with disabilities seeking employment with positions available through nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica network.
