Jay & Kay Manufacturing is a very successful producer of handcrafted aftermarket parts for the boating industry, such as radar arches or hard tops.

They have been a crucial part of the local economy for decades and have been a valued partner with GST Michigan Works! for much of that time. Through various changes in Jay & Kay’s leadership and management, Sanilac County’s BSP has maintained a strong working relationship with them for fifteen years!

No other manufacturer in the region utilizes the same process as Jay & Kay; so hiring experienced workers is not an option for them. GST assists them with their recruitment and on-the-job training whenever possible. Jay & Kay’s first OJT was with military veteran James Essad, who has advanced to the role of President and CEO. Through his leadership, Jay & Kay retains the USDOL Platinum Award as a Military Veteran friendly business. Another early OJT trainee has recently reached retirement.

GST has assisted them with their recruitment and on the job training, through WIOA adult/dislocated worker, the Step into Work and Young Professionals youth work experience programs, and most recently, through the Going Pro Talent Fund. Through the Young Professionals program, Jay & Kay recently gave an opportunity to a group of young people on the autism spectrum. Many of them were successful in their training, and some retain employment to this day. Jay & Kay has also hired a group of ten OJT trainees through the FY2022 Going Pro Talent Fund. Most of them have reached their 90-day retention period and are currently employed. The monetary value of their most recent OJT project is $14,250.00, but the value to Jay & Kay and to the community extends far beyond that. Many people in the community have mastered a craft that they can learn nowhere else, and Jay & Kay has been able to maintain a stable workforce, without an experienced workforce to recruit from.

Human Resource Manager Karen Vanderhoff said, “Jay & Kay Mfg., LLC has utilized GST MI Works! programs for at least ten years. We have had over 25 new hires go through these programs, saving the company tens of thousands of dollars. And, we have had all ages in the program. Recently one recipient just retired, after working with us for 9 years. We also have used the Step Into Work, the Young Professionals, and the Going Pro Talent Fund. Utilizing these resources has allowed us to [increase] our training by hiring individuals with no experience, as well as to increase employee numbers. Our positions require extreme craftsmanship, and these skills must be taught on the job which takes years to develop.”

The ability to develop a productive workforce from within has given Jay & Kay Manufacturing the opportunity to increase their market share in the aftermarket boating industry, and to explore new and related opportunities for business growth. They are finishing an addition to their facility, which will approximately double their manufacturing/warehouse space. This will give them the ability to take advantage of their unused capacity in CNC machining and allow them to expand into additional markets. GST stands ready to assist them through this transition!