Nehemiah Manufacturing – Cincinnati’s Hidden Gem #CreatingJobsChangingLives
I haven’t lived in Cincinnati all of my life, but have called it “Home” for the last 16 years and don’t see myself going anywhere else anytime soon. I work along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, a city enriched with heart and history spanning more than a decade. 
Tucked ever-so-neatly inside this city filled with culture and history is a company that has quietly made a LOUD impact on the globe – Nehemiah Manufacturing. A company with amazing products and even more amazing mission – Building Brands, Creating Jobs, Changing Lives. 
The mission is simple, yet so profound, you have no idea how many layers of change this company is making in the lives of those that need it most – and doing it on a daily basis. Their story, their mission, their purpose is what truly makes the heart of this country great and it all started in 2009 with a vision from their C.E.O. Dan Meyer.
Let’s start with the brands! 
Brands that we use everyday in our households, schools, traveling and even across the pond into other countries, are making a difference in the lives of dozens of employees each day. Brands including Boogie Wipes, Kandoo, Downy Ball, Dreft, Downy Wrinkle Release and Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator.
All of these products are manufactured right here, in Cincinnati, and shipped to major retailers like Walmart, Target and even online sales with Amazon, just to name a few. All of these brands are items I use on a regular basis, especially the Downy Ball. I cannot believe it took me so long to learn they were made so close to home.
One distinct thing I remember on my visit. Those bottles of Downy Wrinkle Release. Each bottle is filled, labeled and hand-sealed. Each spray nozzle on top is hand inserted and torked to a tight close. This could easily be automated, but that isn’t the mission Nehemiah. Each bottle prepared is a job for someone who needs it.
Their Mission
Now, let me get into the heart and soul of what makes this company tick. Plan and simple – the People! Each person in the warehouse has a story…a story that is like so many other stories, but unique to them. 
Nehemiah Manufacturing works with people who have had a hard road traveled. From former addicts and convicted felons, they believe that everyone deserves a second chance and Nehemiah gives them just that.
The reality is, finding a job is 10 times harder for someone with a criminal history or prior dependency problems. Redemption comes in many forms, and this company’s mission, or ministry as some refer to is as, is based upon Old Testament passages of Nehemiah, including Nehemiah 1:10: “Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.”
Take the two pictured above. First you have Felicia , who has been with the company for 8 years. Today, she is a line supervisor and helps train, coach and mentor other new members of the staff each day.
Next is a true success story, Mike Taylor. He has been with the company for 7 years and promoted 8 times within that 7 year tenure. Mike’s history includes a deep addiction to heroin that lead to 2 felonies on his record and an 8-month jail term.
Today, Mike is the current operations manager with Nehemiah Manufacturing. He has been clean for 11 years, has a wonderful wife (whom he met working there) and a family. If it wasn’t for the chances he got with Nehemiah, who knows what his present would look like today…that, my friends is what Nehemiah is all about – SECOND CHANCES!
Social Good
There are many successes like Mike thanks to Nehemiah Manufacturing. They do more than just provide people with jobs. They have a brand new facility (former location of Queen City Barrel) in Lower Price Hill, an area of Cincinnati with high unemployment rates. 
Giving them a job is just the tip of the iceberg in the way of community help. This new facility has so many services and amenities for their employees. Some of the services they provide include:
- On-staff Social Workers
- Debt Consultation Services
- 401K Matching
- Job Coaching
- Panel vans to provide transportation to/from work
- Fitness rooms for health/wellness and full shower services
- Family Christmas Party including a visit from Santa (Dan’s brother) and gifts for family
- Working with community groups like Jobs Plus, City Link Center, Cincinnati Works, St. Vincent de Paul and City Gospel Mission to assist with job placements
- On-site clinic (coming soon)
- Nurse Practitioner site visits
- Bookbags with supplies for staff and their family
- Temporary housing units to rent
- And much, much more.
Their model has quickly become known in Cincinnati and other brands, big and small, are trying out this model with a good success rate. Nehemiah has such good success, their turnaround is an impressive low of 10-15%. They work closely with Beacon of Hope Business Alliance to share other jobs available and the job board is updated weekly.
Nehemiah has an overall employee count of 165-170 workers, both in office and in the warehouse. I had a chance to spend the day with some of staff, and even get into the thick of things and process some Boogie Wipes packages of my own. 
How You Can Help the Mission
Word of Mouth! Tell others about the brands. Tell others about the mission. Purchase the brand products and keeping making a difference, everyday, in the lives of those that are taking their second chance at life. Everyone deserves another chance. We are all human, we have all made decisions, choices and actions we aren’t proud of and we have all been redeemed in some way through our life. Those hard workers at Nehemiah are no different and deserve a second chance to see what life has to offer them and Nehemiah Manufacturing is making that happen. One day, one person at a time. Every single day.
I left that day feeling a sense of renewal and purpose. I wanted to immediately know how and what more I could do. I cannot wait to visit again this Christmas and see how they help support their workers and their families during the holiday season.
Disclosure: This site visit was sponsored by Nehemiah Manufacturing. All opinions are 100% my own.
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Sounds like a fantastic company to work for with great ethics!
I love their mission and the fact that they help out the community!
Sounds like a great place to work. Wish there were more companies like this who really value their employees. Kudos to them!
This place looks so cool! I’d like to visit there 🙂
wow! wonderful – fantastic
Nehemiah Manufacturing seems like a terrific company that cares about people!
That is so awesome. Keep up the good work.
This sounds like such a great company! I always like purchasing from companies who treat their employees well!
I like to read about companies that help their employees, so many time the employees are taken advantaged of and are always thought as replaceable never forming a bond that will be good for the company and the employee. thanks
I like to read about companies that help their employees, so many time the employees are taken advantaged of and are always thought as replaceable never forming a bond that will be good for the company and the employee.
It is wonderful to see a company with compassion for their workers. I feel like this kind of company is rare in industry.
I really wish every company treated its employees with as much respect.
sounds good
I think I’ve used all of those products. It’s good to see a company like this so nearby (I’m in Northern KY.)
Sounds like a great company!!
I wish more companies were like this! Everyone deserves a second chance!
I am always so encouraged when I hear about companies like this that put people and communities first. Plus great products.
Ohio seems to have some really good factories. My brother in law is some kind of shipment supervisor at Kraft in Columbus.
I have no idea that Febreze is manufactured in Cincinnati. Sounds like an amazing company. I love that they provide vans to/from work.
Wow! What an impact! I honestly love reading and learning back stories of companies and brands; this is so neat. Thank you so much for sharing their history and enlightening our futures.
Wish everyone cared about other people
It’s nice to know they opened a facility in an area with high unemployment. I hope they’re able to provide even more jobs.
Sounds like a great company! Had no idea they were so close to me also.
Wouldnt it be great if there were more companies like thus. It may just be the change this world needs
Wouldn’t it be so great if there were more companies like this. I think it should be mandatory that each state have atleast 3 it just may he the change the world needs
what a great place to work.
Sounds like a company that truly respects and takes cares of their employees.
I like , they believe that everyone deserves a second chance and Nehemiah gives them just that.
I really loved reading about such a great company. Thank you.
Looks like this would be a great place to work.
Looks like a really great place to work!
Awe! More companies need to believe in second Chances!
How awesome! Isn’t it great when we find out more about the good things being done?
I’ve always LOVED Boogie Wipes for my kids. We live in a germaphobe household. Haha. Now I love the company even more!
I wish ALL Companies could be like this!
I like that they manufacture Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator. I use that product often.
Good to see that a company cares about their employees.
Nehemiah sounds like a great company that truly values their employees and sets out to make a positive impact.
Nehemiah sounds like a great company that truly values their employees and has a positive impact.
I wish we could duplicate this in every impoverished area in my state
It’s great to see a place like this growing. They deserve success.
After reading this I mentioned it to my sister in law who lives In Ohio and she has about 4 friends that work there. They told her they’ve never felt more appreciated at a job as there.
Wow! I really enjoyed this share. Such a wonderful company to give so many a second chance. Great job!
This sounds like a great company with a great mission.
It would be nice to see other companies behaving more like this and thinking about communities and people.
what a great company ! We should have more like this in the world!
The C.E.O. Dan Meyer, of this company sounds like a wonderful and compassionate person.
Really wonderful way to give back to the community. Bravo
The stories behind the employees are great. I love that this company believes in giving people second chances.
I grew up and lived in West Chester Ohio up until about 4 years ago. We had a house fire and lost everything and felt we needed to move away. So many things I miss about it too. I dont remember this company there but I love what they stand for giving and saving jobs for people not to mention those are great products
I did not know that all these terrific brands and products are manufactured right in Cincinnati.
wow that is so awesome and gives me hope for society and other companies too look into this lets make america great again this company has it kudos
I wish more companies were like this! I’ve worked for so many that have no compassion for their employees! God Bless Them!!!
it is nice to hear about a company that wants to take care of it’s employees. Too many see employees as just cogs in the wheel.
I’ve never heard of this but it sounds like a wonderful company! I would definitely support a company that gives back!
I already purchase many of these products. In fact I have Boogie Wipes at the ready all year long for my grandkids.
I love that Nehemiah gives people a second chance and a job that they feel proud about!
Every company should be as great as this!
So many production jobs these days are automated, it’s great that Nehemiah has decided to continue having those jobs done by their employees. I’m sure they appreciate being valued.
What a great company!
Wow what a great company that is helping a lot of people! We need more like this.
The products from this company are wonderful. I have tried some.
Thanks for turning me on to this company. I can’t wait to try their products.
It looks like they really try to help their employees. More companies should definitely do this.
Looks like a great company with good policies.
I have never heard of this company before the products look great!
It is so nice to hear about positive changes and read about these success stories.
It’s great when a company brings good jobs to a city. It definitely can improve lives.
Awesome company! So important to give people a second chance. Good for them!
I have never been to Cincinnati but it seems terrific to visit. This company is wonderful also.
These products, like Downy or Boogie Wipes, are all brands we recognize. This sounds like a great company for Cincinnati.
What a wonderful company and mission! Every major city needs this!
I wish they had something like this where we live.
Thank you for sharing this. This is so important and we really do need to be more forgiving as a society and give people second chance and life people up with love.
I’m really glad you posted about this, I think this is such a wonderful thing that they are doing and helping out so many who are looking for work, I love that they have so much to offer besides just working , its great to see that they have a place to relax and chit chat, have coffee or lunch.
@tisonlyme143
It sounds really impressive. Cincinnati is lucky to have this place in their backyard.
great company! Admire companies that keep Americans at work and I am glad that I have used some of their products!
Nehemiah Manufacturing really does sound like a company with super amazing products
I’m really liking this I like that they are helping others
This is an impressive operation. I recognize and use most of those products.
This company sounds awesome!
If only every city had a place like this.And if only more people with money would care enough for the less fortunate,maybe we could turn this country around.
Kudos to this company for their social awareness and helping to make a difference in the community. We need more companies like them.
wow this is wonderful! Im so glad there are companies like this offering hope to others
What a great company that is so supportive of others.
This is so awesome. I just love companies like this!
I use downy all the time and love it. Great quality products
Love the mission, everyone deserves a second chance. I use several of those products.
Nehemiah Manufacturing sounds like an absolutely wonderful company. I love reading articles like this about helping others have a better life.
(Nehemiah Manufacturing – Cincinnati’s Hidden Gem #CreatingJobsChangingLives) This is great! I applaud any company that creates new jobs for people. I do like the sounds of their great company too. Good for them and great for us too.
This sounds like a great company with a great mission!
I had no idea about this. It’s truly a company to admire and support.
Sounds good to me looking good
Sounds like a great company to work for!
I’m happy to see them giving so many people a chance. I’ve known many people who have wrestled with such issues.
What an amazing company! I have never heard of them before, thank you so much for sharing!
I live a little South of Cincinnati, in Northern KY. Of course, I’ve used almost all of these products but I had no idea they came from a place so close.
What a great company! More should be like this with the right ethics and morals!