With 200 employees, Fey Industries is the largest company in the small town of Edgerton, population 1,100. Its team manufactures and decorates branded promotional advertising products and packaging — everything from exclusive Techfolios and U.S.A.-made custom 3-ring binders to specialized holders and the Peel-n-Stick® calendar collection.
“Our World’s Best Pizza Cutter is a very popular item. If you use that pizza cutter, you’ll never use another pizza cutter in your life,” said Mike Fey, MAS, Fey Industries, Inc. president.
In addition to divvying up dinner, the company is at the cutting edge of the industry in more significant ways. It recently received Quality Certification Alliance (QCA) Accreditation. This is the promotional products industry’s only certification dedicated to product quality, product safety, supply chain security, social accountability and environmental stewardship. Fey Industries joins just 31 other QCA accredited companies.
“This is a tremendous achievement; it puts us within the top 2 percent of the promotional products industry,” Mike said. “It elevates our relevancy in the marketplace and should positively impact our revenue. It also fits our core values of stewardship, accountability and continuous improvement.”
QCA Accredited companies endorse a self-certification, complete a rigorous self-assessment, and submit their headquarters and their supply base to third-party audits.
“The commitment and dedication to undertaking and completing this process are to be commended. QCA Accreditation is more than a company being able to say that its processes are safe. Rather, it is an exhaustive process that involves organization-wide diligence, in-depth third-party audits, and continuous monitoring,” said Tim Brown, MAS, QCA executive director – operations.
A huge asset to Edgerton
Fey Industries is a third-generation family business that manufactures most of the promotional items it sells, which is unique in an industry dominated by imports. And it’s constantly innovating. In the past 10 years, the company has expanded its offerings with multiple product acquisitions. Now it’s exploring automation, having recently added a collaborative robot.
“Part of the key for us is continuing to be relevant. You can’t sit still,” said Mike, who has been with the company 24 years, the last two as president.
Its strong foundation and innovative outlook put Fey Industries on Southwest Initiative Foundation’s 30th anniversary “30 for 30” list, celebrating 30 people, organizations and businesses who make southwest Minnesota a special place.
The company is proud of its history in the community and strives to be a good steward in Edgerton and the surrounding area — financially supporting community pillars such as schools, the volunteer fire department and food shelves, as well as encouraging employees to volunteer with projects such Habitat for Humanity.
“I think that is the biggest thing about Fey Industries — the things that go unseen, the things that they don’t brag about. They don’t want recognition they just want to do it. It’s about building our community,” said Edgerton Mayor Jason Snyder. “They have been a staple of our community for 52 years. Having people employed there in our town and keeping that business going has been a huge asset to Edgerton.”
Former company president Norm Fey and his wife, Ethelyn Fey, also continue to give back. They are long-time Growing Home Circle donors, supporting SWIF’s community and business development. Going back to the company’s founder, Fey Industries has always looked out for its neighbors.
“We still pride ourselves on family values. One of the visions my grandpa had for starting this business was local people would be able to have a job and still be able to be home for dinner with their family at night,” Mike said. “Being a major employer, I would like to think we have a positive impact on Edgerton and add to why Edgerton is as successful as it is.”
Have something exciting happening in your business or community we should know about? Pitch us your story!
