What SEKRI does

SEKRI (Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries, Inc.) is a nonprofit contract manufacturer founded in 1971 and headquartered in Corbin, Kentucky. The organization employs over 700 individuals across seven manufacturing and distribution facilities in southeastern Kentucky and Jellico, Tennessee, with approximately 75% of its workforce comprised of people with significant disabilities as deemed by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. Its primary mission is to provide competitive employment opportunities in the Appalachian Region to qualified persons living with disabilities, while delivering contract-manufactured products to government and commercial customers at competitive pricing.

SEKRI's core technical capabilities span textile and apparel manufacturing, contract packaging and fulfillment, and warehouse/logistics services. The company operates Gerber automated cutting systems and advanced sewing lines (flat-lock, single needle, embroidery, technical fabrics) producing technical military gear including Protective Combat Uniforms (PCU/HALYS Gear), Improved First Aid Kits (IFAK), fire retardant garments, and over 3.5 million patrol caps and hats annually. Service offerings include Vendor Managed Inventory (co-developed with Lockheed Martin, enabling two-hour delivery), contract packaging and kitting, and offsite Training Range preparation (vinyl-wrapped mock facilities for soldier training). The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, cleared access to secured government facilities, and a Lockheed Martin Platinum Vendor Supplier Rating.

The business model rests on three pillars. First, government procurement via the AbilityOne Program (formerly Javits-Wagner-O'Day), under which SEKRI is a preferred manufacturer eligible to supply federal agencies because its workforce meets the statutory 75% disabled threshold. Second, direct commercial B2B contracts with companies seeking MADE IN USA manufacturing, exemplified by partnerships with Galls (public safety apparel), BANDI Wear (consumer belt), and Operation Warm (children's coats). Third, contracted services including VMI logistics for Lockheed Martin's helicopter wiring harness production and automotive part assembly/packaging for regional companies. GTM is enterprise field sales through dedicated contract managers, with no public pricing disclosed for manufactured products; fundraising is supported via events such as the annual SEKRI Invitational Golf Scramble ($3,000 per four-person team).

Name

SEKRI

Legal name

Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries, Inc.

Website

https://sekri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SEKRI is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit contract manufacturer employing over 700 individuals — approximately 75% with significant disabilities — across seven facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee, producing military technical gear, commercial apparel, and packaging/logistics services under the federal AbilityOne Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Apparel and Textile Manufacturing

NAICS

Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (3152), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (31525)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Workwear, Uniforms & Safety Apparel Cut & Sew (IMAOAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective & Safety Textiles (FR/Arc/Heat/Cut/Chemical) (IMAOADAA), Outerwear & Performance Apparel Cut & Sew (IMAOAEAB)

Keywords

• Contract apparel manufacturing
• Military textile manufacturing
• Contract packaging services
• Warehouse fulfillment services
• Made in USA production

Headquarters

HQ city

Corbin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts (AbilityOne): SEKRI operates as a preferred manufacturer for AbilityOne, a government procurement program coordinating purchases of products and services from non-profit agencies with workforce comprised of minimum 75% disabled individuals. Primary focus is manufacturing military clothing and gear under government contract including Protective Combat Uniforms (HALYS Gear), Improved First Aid Kits (IFAK), and patrol caps/headwear.
2. Commercial Contract Manufacturing: SEKRI actively seeks private commercial contracts for companies passionate about the MADE IN USA label. Services include apparel and textile manufacturing, kitting, repackaging, assembly, logistics and delivery.
3. Contract Packaging & Fulfillment: Contract packaging services including automotive part assembly, acoustics, sorting, relabeling, sourcing, warehousing, and packaging. SEKRI has established computerized inventory management solutions supporting Vendor Managed Inventory Programs.
4. Warehouse, Inventory Management & Logistics: Physical security, customer order fulfillment and delivery of inventory to client facilities. SEKRI has clearance to enter secured government facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SEKRI is a non-profit contract manufacturer specializing in American-made textile and apparel products, primarily serving the U.S. military and government via the AbilityOne Program. Core manufactured offerings include Protective Combat Uniforms (PCU), Improved First Aid Kits (IFAK), patrol caps and hats, and fire retardant garments. The company also provides commercial contract manufacturing, contract packaging/fulfillment, and warehouse/inventory management services for clients seeking MADE IN USA production.

Product overview

SEKRI is a nonprofit textile and apparel manufacturing organization providing contract manufacturing services focused on knits and woven products made in the USA. The core product portfolio includes military technical gear such as the Improved First Aid Kit (IFAK), Protective Combat Uniform (PCU), military patrol caps and hats (3.5+ million annually), and fire retardant garments. Commercial products include Operation Warm coats, BANDI belts, and Galls public safety apparel. Service offerings encompass contract packaging and fulfillment, warehouse/inventory management with Vendor Managed Inventory programs, and Training Range facilities preparation. Manufacturing capabilities include automated Gerber cutting systems and diverse sewing operations (flat-lock, embroidery, technical fabrics). The company operates four manufacturing facilities and one cutting/distribution center, shipping over 50,000 products weekly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Protective Combat Uniform (PCU)

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 1% rejected product rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and support.

• AbilityOne Program (formerly Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984SEKRI creates jobs through the AbilityOne Program, a government procurement program coordinating purchases of products and services from non-profit agencies with workforce comprised of minimum 75% disabled individuals. SEKRI is a preferred manufacturer for AbilityOne.
• Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEKRI entered vendor managed inventory relationship in 2011, purchasing shipping/packaging supplies, warehousing until needed, processing and delivering orders in as little as two hours. SEKRI received Platinum Vendor Supplier Rating and is expanding to supply specialized equipment, tools, lubricants, and materials for helicopter wiring harnesses.
• Operation WarmsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partnership launched March 2016 for manufacturing coats for children in need across the United States. SEKRI employees produce brand new coats for at-risk children, with bright colors and durability as priorities.
• Bandi Wear CompanysecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBANDI Wear Company launched in 2012 makes wearable, stylish and functional belts. They contracted with SEKRI to manufacture the BANDI Belt product and currently have a dedicated production line at SEKRI.
• GallssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGalls is a reliable source for quality, in-stock public safety equipment and apparel servicing law enforcement, military, security, fire, EMS, postal, public transportation and more. SEKRI provides sewing and other manufacturing for Galls brand products proudly MADE IN USA.
• Source AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEKRI is an authorized Manufacturing and Development (M&D) producer for Source America and has participated in numerous M&D opportunities. SEKRI works with Source America and government customers on different types of M&D projects.
• Community and Employment Opportunities (CEO)supportGTM or Marketing PartnerMakes referrals for candidates for employment at SEKRI and provides transportation to SEKRI for employees with disabilities.
• Kentucky Career CentersupportGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides needed accommodations for employees with disabilities including work station, chair adjustments, suggestions and reasonable accommodation to help employees be successful on the job.
• Office of Vocational RehabilitationsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerRefers applicants for jobs at SEKRI and helps with transportation to psychological/vocational/Learning disability evaluation appointments.
• Veterans Affairs DepartmentsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerMakes referrals of veterans for jobs at SEKRI. SEKRI provides van for transportation for veterans to come to work and rehabilitation counselors provide on the job support.
• IsoTec AlliancesupportOthersISO Certification registrar that SEKRI changed to in September 2019 for ISO recertification audit. SEKRI is now registered with IsoTec Alliance to maintain ISO compliance.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Crye Precision: Manufacturer of advanced combat uniforms, body armor, and tactical gear supplied to U.S. Special Operations Forces. Competes for the same SOF/PCU-style technical apparel business that SEKRI produces.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): Central non-profit coordinating AbilityOne contracts for agencies employing people who are blind, including military and federal product manufacturing. A direct peer in mission, contract access, and customer mix with SEKRI.
• IFB Solutions: Formerly Industries for the Blind, IFB Solutions is a non-profit AbilityOne-affiliated manufacturer employing people with disabilities across e-commerce fulfillment, packaging, and textile/sewing operations with federal customers. It is one of the closest operating analogs to SEKRI.
• Propper International: Large U.S. manufacturer of military and tactical apparel, including uniforms and combat gear supplied to the DoD. Competes for the same military apparel and headwear contracts that anchor SEKRI's revenue.
• Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle Lighthouse): Non-profit manufacturing enterprise employing people who are blind, deafblind, or have other disabilities, producing military apparel, optical products, and packaging for AbilityOne/federal customers. Closely comparable in mission, business model, and customer base to SEKRI.

Broad incumbents

• SourceAmerica: Central non-profit administering AbilityOne contracts that channels federal procurement to agencies like SEKRI. As the program administrator, it is the structural counterpart and ecosystem gatekeeper for SEKRI's primary revenue channel.
• ADS, Inc. Large military and government product distributor and supply chain services provider with extensive DoD contracting capabilities. Operates as a broader incumbent across the same defense procurement ecosystem SEKRI serves.
• Quartermaster.com / Quartermaster Defense: Distributor of military uniforms, tactical apparel, and public-safety gear, including Galls-family and other US-sourced brands. Operates in the same end-market for military and public-safety apparel as SEKRI's customers.
• Hanesbrands (Champion/Alternative Apparel): Large-scale U.S. apparel manufacturer with government and uniform programs. Represents a broader incumbent against which SEKRI competes for commercial cut-and-sew and uniform contract volume.

Regional players

• W.S. Badcock Corporation (dba Badcock Home Furniture): Placeholder removed; substituted below.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SEKRI