Kennewick nonprofit gets into the doorstep-delivery business with latest venture

First pizza and bottled water, now doorstep deliveries.

Kennewick-based Columbia Industries announced this week it is taking on a new business endeavor.

The nonprofit that supports and empowers people with disabilities and other challenges has purchased an Idaho package delivery company.

Harmon Express is based in Lewiston and is an independent provider for FedEx home and ground services in Washington and Idaho, including Pullman and Moscow, Idaho.

Columbia Industries is operating the business as CI Express Inc.

The acquisition comes on the heals of two other major purchases in July.

That’s when Columbia Industries agreed to buy Paradise Bottled Water Co. from father-son owners Rick and Jordan Hays and it bought the four Round Table Pizza restaurants in the Tri-Cities.

Columbia Industries will operate both commercial enterprises to support its nonprofit mission to serve people with disabilities by providing employment services, vocational and food service training, recreational opportunities and more.

Paradise Bottled Water is based in Kennewick and serves the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas.

Columbia Industries already operates a commercial shredding business and information management business.

“We are truly excited to be adding another terrific business to the CI family,” said Brian McDermott, president and CEO of Columbia Industries, in a news release about the newest venture. “CI Express is expected to provide important cash flow support to the very substantial expansion of our mission programs which has already begun, and which will continue in the foreseeable future.”

E-commerce shopping

He said the acquisitions are critical to helping the 57-year-old nonprofit “sustain and optimize the impact of our mission services.”

“CI Express is an important component of that planning which also represents an outstanding long-term growth opportunity due to the continuing expansion of e-commerce shopping,” he said.

Last year when the agency bought the pizza restaurants, McDermott noted that Columbia Industries has had good success placing clients in jobs in the hospitality industry.

It also launched the Opportunity Kitchen last year to train clients to qualify for restaurant and related jobs. Opportunity Kitchen students learn kitchen skills, as well as working with the public.

Columbia Industries serves hundreds of clients each year through job services, vocational training and recreational opportunities.

For more information, visit www.ColumbiaIndustries.com.