VIP INDUSTRIES HOSTING OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND

VIP Industries, a not-for-profit company which assembles, packages and mails a number of products at four facilities, will host an open house Sunday to kick off its 30th anniversary.

VIP, which employs about 300 people in Southeast Missouri -- Cape Girardeau, Fruitland, Perryville and Marble Hill -- will host the special event Sunday at VIP Industries, 1330 Southern Expressway, in Cape Girardeau, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Shuttle bus service will be provided to tour the workshop, supported living apartments, and the group home residence.

VIP Industries provides employment to people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

The company was founded in October 1968 with a budget of $14,000 and 17 handicapped employees. Hilary F. Schmittzehe, who helped found VIP Industries, is executive director of the corporation.

Today VIP Industries is one of the largest sheltered workshop operations in Missouri, has about 300 handicapped employees and a staff of more than 50, and serves five counties -- Cape Girardeau, Stoddard, Perry, Bollinger and Scott.

The corporation was named one of the "Top 60" employers in Southeast Missouri by ????.

VIP has seven tractors, 51 trailers, 43 vans and three large buses in its fleet of over-the-road trucks.

The corporate plant at Cape Girardeau has a production area of 22,000 square feet and employs about 140 disabled people. The Fruitland operation includes a 22,000 square foot warehoused, and total of 45,000 square feet. It employs 55 people.

The Perryville facility, which specializes in repacking of automotive products, has a 55,000 square foot plant, and employs more than 50 employees. A 15,000 square foot custom packing facility at Marble Hill employs up to 80.