Tolko Industries has donated a forklift to Multiworks in Meadow Lake to assist with an increase in business demand. (Submitted photo/Jesse Ramshaw)

By Elliott Knopp

Forklift Donation

Multiworks receives forklift donated by Tolko Industries

Nov 16, 2021 | 6:51 PM

A local non-profit is receiving an unique donation that will help the organization carry out its day-to-day operations more effectively.

Tolko Industries, Meadow Lake’s oriented strand board (OSB) mill, is donating a used forklift to Multiworks. The contribution comes at a time where the non-profit is experiencing an increase in demand.

Both organizations have a business relationship where Multiworks often makes dunnage — an inexpensive material used for shipping and handling — for the OSB mill.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Tolko Industries’ Glen Rodrigue explained the company heard from an employee that Multiworks was looking into acquiring a new forklift to keep up with increased demand.

“One of our heavy duty mechanics was talking to the fella that delivers for Multiworks, and somewhere in the conversation, he mentioned a forklift would really be handy for them in town at their facility,” he shared.

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“Our employees are sensitive to the community and the needs of different organizations. This was somebody on the frontlines of our organization that brought this opportunity forward, and it feels good to be able to act on it.”

Workers gathered around the forklift Tolko Industries donated to Multiworks. (Submitted photo/Jesse Ramshaw)

After hearing of the situation, the team at Tolko began putting in some maintenance work into one of their forklifts they were set to replace, rather than auctioning it off or disposing of the machinery.

Following discussions with management, the donation was approved and Multiworks was awarded with the industrial hardware.

Multiworks’ Dave Thickett said the offering provides the organization with some relief as they had previously been operating with only one of the pieces of machinery.

“It’s a big forklift, bigger than the one we have, so it adds a whole bunch more capability to our operation,” he said.

“It will allow us to produce more, there’ll be less downtime, we’re able to unload them in a more timely way and load them bigger. It just makes us way more efficient.”

Workers gathered around the forklift Tolko Industries donated to Multiworks. (Submitted photo/Jesse Ramshaw)

Multiworks is known in the community for providing support to people with intellectual disabilities, but the organization is also recognized for supporting group homes and other community programs.

Taking into consideration how acquiring a forklift can be an expensive and difficult task, Thickett stated the donation from Tolko assists in ensuring the company can continue providing service effectively in the community.

“We’re super fortunate that we’ve got such a good relationship and community support,” said Thickett. “A lot of other places in town have been extremely supportive, and they make it a great place for people with disabilities to live.”

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp