Salay Handmade crafts paper items using cogon grass, a weed that interferes with local farming, and natural fibers. The group was founded in 1987 as People’s Economic Council (PEC) to create employment for people in the community of Salay, an area with little industry and a history of political unrest. Through experimentation, the group developed its trademark handmade paper. In 1990 the papermakers incorporated separately from PEC as Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Incorporated. In 2015, the group changed its names to Salay Handmade Products Industries to reflect its expanded product offerings. Through global marketing, Salay was introduced to the concept of fair trade and began providing development assistance to its artisans. Other benefits to workers include pensions and profit sharing. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Salay since 1997.