Vanguard Thriving (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
Built-in Sustainability Working in a facility 150 feet beneath the Earth’s sur- face may sound unsettling, but the caves provide a natural climate-controlled environment that is perfect for produc- ing corrugated products. It also offers significant energy savings, reducing Vanguard’s “carbon footprint.” A typical SubTropolis building is more energy-efficient than almost any other U.S. manufacturing facility or warehouse. With fewer building materials, Vanguard utilizes natu- ral resources for floors and ceilings in the production and office areas, resulting in less waste and less maintenance with coated rock ceilings and stained concrete floors. The underground location also reduces energy con- sumption and lowers utility costs while providing a consis- tently comfortable climate that increases worker produc- tivity. Moreover, the naturally secure environment protects assets and lowers insurance costs. Vanguard believes in and runs their business with en- vironmental sustainability as a foundation of their core val- ues. According to Jim Beard, CEO, for a company to be efficient, safe, and socially responsible, it needs to have three legs of the stool, and if one leg is missing, the com- pany becomes unstable. Thus, Vanguard maintains certifi- cations in Quality (ISO 9001), Environmental Management (14001), and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (45001), among others. Jim Beard says that “re- sponsibility to our customers, our employees, and our environment is a big part of what separates us from their competition.” Onward And Upward During the 1980s, Vanguard expanded its services be- yond brown boxes and diversified its offerings. In 1990, they acquired Missouri Container, a local company that specialized in laminating offset print labels to graphic box- es and POP displays. This acquisition was a significant step towards offering graphic and display services. Later in the 90s, Vanguard Label, now known as Great Plains Packaging, was created. At this time, Vanguard also start- ed to print higher graphics and process work on a 5-color rotary die-cutter. In the early 2000s, Vanguard began working with Walmart and became a leader in the industry’s sustain- ability movement, going on to win the 2010 Greener Pack- aging and Innovator of the Year Awards. In the early to mid-2000s, they opened the St. Louis Missouri and Ben- tonville, Arkansas sales and design offices as well as their assembly and fulfillment division, Advanced Logistics and Fulfillment (ALF). Owning and operating their own fulfill- ment center gave them the ability to offer the full turnkey solution customers needed without being dependent on outside sources. Today, Vanguard Companies comprise three active op- erations. Vanguard Packaging, also known as the “Mother Ship,” is the main operation producing industrial packag-
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January 1, 2024
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