The Remploy Resource

Remploy was set up in 1944 to provide meaningful work for those wounded in the Second World War within a company created to cater for their special needs with the financial and social benefits that employment brings. The company has built a thriving business based on providing a range of invaluable services to British commerce, industry and the Health Service. It used three groups of workers in packaging and assembly, furniture and medical equipment, and leather and textile products. In 1981 Remploy dropped its national marketing operation in favour of a policy which devolved more responsibility from headquarters to its front‐line management. The work and success of the packaging and assembly group is discussed in the context of this flexible approach.