News
December 5, 2019Capital Region Business Leader Jeff Goronkin Launches New Company, Scratch Play Meow
Jeff Goronkin, CEO and Co-founder of Urban Co-Works in Schenectady, NY, is proud to announce the launch of Scratch Play Meow and its debut product, ScratchLadder.
“Two things I am passionate about are helping the Schenectady area thrive economically and my cat, Milo Fwancis,” said Jeff Goronkin, CEO and co-founder of Urban Co-Works and founder of Scratch Play Meow. “That’s why I’ve partnered with Pine Ridge Industries in Schenectady County to manufacture ScratchLadder, a product designed to help all cats embrace their natural behavior without destroying their owner’s furniture.”
To create the ScratchLadder, Goronkin enlisted the help of Pine Ridge Industries. Pine Ridge is a division of the Schenectady ARC, one of the Capital Region’s largest non-profit organizations, that employs adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and provides a wide range of light manufacturing, assembly and package services. For Goronkin, it was an easy decision to go to Pine Ridge with his business as it supports a local organization and provides more opportunities for adults in the area with disabilities.
“We are excited and thankful that Jeff choose Pine Ridge Industries and, by extension, Schenectady ARC to manufacture the ScratchLadder,” said Kirk Lewis, executive director of Schenectady ARC. “It is through brand partnerships and innovative companies such as Scratch Play Meow that we are able to continue employing individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. These opportunities are designed to help our employees gain important skills to become successful members of the workforce once they move on, and ScratchLadder is a great addition that will provide our employees new options for growth and skill development.”
ScratchLadder is four rung system designed with interchangeable panels to provide your cat with variations of scratching surfaces they can enjoy. Goronkin was inspired to create ScratchLadder by his own furry friend, Milo Fwancis. After watching Milo scratch at every wooden surface in the house, he designed a ladder made from wood and placed them everywhere Milo liked to scratch. Once seeing how much he loved the ladder, the idea of adding interchangeable panels with a variety of surfaces such as pile carpet, sisal carpet, velvet, and more, grew from there.
The ScratchLadder Standard Unit retails for $99 with additional panels retailing at $20. For more information, or to purchase a ScratchLadder visit www.scratchplaymeow.com.
