Case Study: Stride, Inc. saves and grows its manufacturing business with SCORE Mentors Berks and Schuylkill Cty

Stride, Inc. - Customer Case Study

Stride, Inc. is a woman-owned manufacturer of pens and office supplies in Albuquerque, New Mexico, led by Kerry Bertram. After Barbara Brennan and her husband purchased the plant, Don’s unexpected death left Barbara suddenly widowed and responsible for keeping the business running, while also managing a workforce that included employees with special needs. Stride turned to SCORE Mentors Berks and Schuylkill Cty for help with mechanical and manufacturing challenges as the company worked to stay competitive and preserve its mission of integrated employment.

SCORE Mentors Berks and Schuylkill Cty provided hands-on technical support, including retooling pen manufacturing machines, adding programmable logic controls, and training special-needs employees to operate equipment. This assistance helped Stride improve manufacturing performance, collect production data, and remain viable; the company went on to become the first certified supplier of a rollerball pen to the federal government. Over time, Stride grew its revenue, expanded its workforce, and in 2018 was named a finalist in SCORE’s American Small Business Championship.

Stride, Inc.

Kerry Bertram

Owner