How to Start
Read through the Frequently Asked Questions below. This will inform you of hazardous materials we cannot handle and other lessons learned over the years.
When you are ready to contact us, tell us about your project on the contact page. Try to be specific, or you can send an attachment to rfuller@bbcs.org with a lengthier version.
Ron Fuller, Director of Operations
Ron Fuller has headed the BKLYN UNLTD crew for 19 years. In his capacity as Workshop Manager Ron finds himself on factory floors and designers' ateliers. It is his job to understand the customer needs; recommend efficient ways to accomplish them, estimate the time and expense; sample the production; oversee the training of his workforce; ensure quality and ship the finished product on time. A problem-solver by nature, Ron's day is filled with making things work. He is the grease in our gears.
Call Ron for a free estimate: 917-673-5805 or rfuller@bbcs.com
F.A.Q.s
Q: How do you go about pricing my job?
A: We get your materials and do a “time study” to time and assess manpower needs.
Q: Then you give me a fixed price?
A: Our pricing is based on a per-piece cost.
Q: What is that pricing based on?
A: On the time study we perform and based on the prevailing hourly rate.
Q: Why should I send my work to you?
A: The benefit we provide is in training and teaching a crew of disabled workers to do work that many laborers find menial and uninteresting. Our motivated workers are supervised at all times and gladly perform these largely hand-done services.
Q: You hire disabled workers? Can they handle my job?
A: Our workers’ disabilities vary greatly. Most of our workers have been with the Brooklyn Bureau (Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service—our parent company) for a number of years. Each is trained to do those tasks, which they are most capable and confident doing.
Q: How can I be assured of quality?
A: Samples will be provided at both the estimating stage and in the early part of a new assignment.
Q: How long will a time study take?
A: If you have all your materials ready to go—including raw components and any packing materials in which you want us to ship—a time study can be done in a day’s time. Upon approval, we can schedule your job.
Q: Will I always have to do a time study?
A: No, not if you are a returning customer—we have many—and the job is the same as one we've completed for you before.
Q: Do you have quality control measures?
A: Yes, senior crewmembers quality control as they are packing.
Q: What do I need to provide?
A: You are responsible for everything but the labor. Boxes, excelsior, product, labels, cord, and chain—whatever your project needs to leave our hands the way you want it.
Q: Will you help me?
A: Yes, we will help you in ascertaining what your needs are, and we will even refer you to a box resource, or a label source, for example. What we do not do is get involved in any of the ordering or financing of your “material goods”.
Q: How will I know when additional components are needed during the course of a job?
A: We will help calculate your needs and inform you when you are running low.
Q: What about shipping?
A: We can pickup and deliver as you require. There are extra charges for such. Our trucking regularly makes runs in the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey. We can also ship via UPS, DHL and FedEx.
Q: How large is your staff?
A: We consider our staff to be our managers who are employees of the Brooklyn Bureau. Our crew is a workforce—they number 116 persons currently.
Q: What is the normal turnaround time?
A: Once we have an approved sample and all of the business is taken care of (financials, materials) our normal turnaround is 24 hours or more, depending on the size of the job.
Q: Can you give me an example?
A: An eyeglass client of ours gets eyeglasses tagged with adhesive labels, a hangtag; the glasses are bagged and banded together in groups of 10. We can manage 20 thousand eyeglasses in 2-3 days.
Q: Will my deadline be met?
A: We rarely miss deadlines. Our crew is on board everyday. We have long-term crewmembers who need a constant flow of assembly work. When deadlines need to be met we can flexibly manage personnel to meet your needs.
Q: I have a job that needs to be done in stages. Can you warehouse my materials between my product ship dates?
A: Yes we can, depending on the size of the job and length of time needed.
Q: Shipping: Can you drop ship to a number of venues?
A: Yes, we often do. We ship directly to retailers or stores.
Q: Is it possible to tour your facility?
A: By all means, call for an appointment. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
Q: Is anything prohibited? What can’t you handle?
A:- Jobs that entail lifting over 50 lbs per item
- Jobs that include harsh or flammable chemicals
- Jobs that include highly scented items
- Jobs that produce excessive dust
- Jobs involving perishable foodstuff
- Jobs with sharp objects, such as knives
- Jobs requiring long term or high volume storage
- Materials needing refrigeration
Q: Do you have production people on staff?
A: We have people who oversee production in-house, but our objective is first and foremost to provide work experiences for disabled, skilled workers.
Q: What if I want something done at my plant or office? Can I get help here?
A: Yes, by all means. We have been very successful placing crews on your turf for short and long periods of time. You need to call Deborah Washington at 718-310-5789 and speak with her about your specific needs.
Q: Why don’t I just get this done offshore (overseas)?
A: We have customers who have subcontracted offshore and are left with products they can’t use or can’t sell. For example, one of our customers used an offshore company to insert cord handles onto upscale over-the-shoulder shopping bags. When delivered, the knots on the bags were loose or untied and needed to be re-tied by BKLYN UNLTD. A number of our customers purchase component parts offshore and subcontract with us to assemble—they say we provide high quality work at reasonable rates. A fair amount of what we do is make-good: Repackaging or putting an added touch to a product to label correctly, to meet a legal or retailer’s requirement, or to just jazz it up.
Q: Then BKLYN UNLTD is a problem solving organization?
A: Exactly!
