Baker Industries, based in Malvern, provides meaningful employment opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose for individuals who are often overlooked in the workforce, writes Wakisha Bailey for CBS News Philadelphia.
Among the company’s 30 employees are people with disabilities, returning citizens, and individuals working to rebuild stability after homelessness or addiction recovery. One of them is Pete Lee, who has just 10 percent vision because of optic neuropathy and relies on his hands to navigate his work.
“Once you’ve done it a few hundred times, it gets into a real rhythm,” he said.
Lee was unemployed for over five years before he was given a second chance at Baker Industries.
“It gives you a sense of purpose,” he said.
Founded in 1980 by Charlie and Weezie Baker, the company was inspired by their son Justin’s experience living with epilepsy.
“He would have a couple of seizures a day,” said Charlie Baker. “The few jobs he had, the seizures would always interfere. We both felt people ought to have jobs.”
From humble beginnings in a garage, the business has now evolved into a flourishing fulfillment center that has helped transform countless lives.
Read more about Baker Industries giving jobs to those who need a second chance at CBS News Philadelphia.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA.Today in October 2025.
