|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
 |
|
Bruce
Grover
|
An oil shortage in the early 1970's did not help VPI. The new managers knew that some changes must be made and production of less profitable lines discontinued and more resources were allocated to lucrative products. By the 1980's, VPI underwent another major change. Each "division" (Floor Products, Sheet Products, and Contract Manufacturing) was made unique from the corporate staff in Sheboygan. The divisions now had their own location, a general manager, and became an independent profit center. The company underwent another huge change when Bruce Grover gained controlling interest of VPI in early 1992 by purchasing all remaining stock from Edwin Stone and Werner Krause.
VPI's divisions continue to grow, change, and acquire new companies. In 1997, VPI acquired American Mirrex Corporation with facilities in Salisbury, MD and Delaware City, DE. Consequently, the employee base was doubled and production facilities were increased by almost 300,000 square feet. The sales potential was also more than doubled to $200 million a year. This has been, by far, VPI's largest acquisition to date.
Contract
Manufacturing Division- located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Product
lines: Sound barrier and floor matting material for the automotive industry.
Film and Converting Division-
located in Salisbury, Maryland. Product lines: Clear and brightly colored
calendered PVC films. Applications for the calendered films include
labels and decals used on bottles, toys, fleet vehicles, and decorative
and/or surface films for floor tiles, cove base molding, shelving, cabinets,
automotive trim, and photograph overlays.
Floor Products Division- located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Product lines: ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) control vinyl tile, solid vinyl tile flooring products, and vinyl and rubber wall base. Two lines of ESD control vinyl tile: Conductileâ and Statmate.
Medical
Products Division- located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Product lines:
Contract extrusion, assembly, and fabrication for the medical industry
and other industries requiring high levels of quality.
Sheet
Products Division-
located in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Product lines: High impact polystyrene,
PETG, APET and custom blends.
Sheet Products Division- located in Delaware City, Delaware. Product lines: Rigid Vinyl Films.
In 1990, VPI created a new Mission Statement to reaffirm VPI's dedication to people, processes, procedures, and products. The new Statement explains: "VPI is an organization of people committed to continuous improvement of the products and services we provide to meet our customers' needs. We will achieve profitable growth in rapidly changing environments through the strategic marketing of new products, added value for existing products, and acquisitions which complement our manufacturing, marketing, and distribution skills."
It is clear that VPI's Mission Statement is more than a great-looking sentence; it is a guiding philosophy for the company. Many companies claim to be customer oriented and centered around customer needs, but VPI lives up to their promises. One of their mottos is "Under promise/ Over deliver." This ensures that the customer will never be disappointed.
Other Core Values include: "People are our most important asset and deserve trust, respect, and recognition. We will adhere to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. There are no limits to the capacity of individuals to learn."
To achieve the best customer relations, VPI understands that people, high standards, and integrity each matter!
VPI has created their values to meet employee needs. For example, one of their values is "People are our most important asset and deserve trust, respect, and recognition. Involvement and teamwork will provide opportunities for all employees to contribute, learn, and grow."
 |
|
1998
Winner Craig Bailey with Bruce Grover.
|
Positive employee morale is created by various programs that cater to diverse employee interest. One of employee's favorite programs is the annual Christmas Card Contest. Each year, employee's children are invited to create artwork for the company Christmas card. One winner is chosen, and the card is adopted as the official company card and the child's name is printed on the card. The winner also is treated to a reception with their parents. John Crawford (Vice President Human Resources) explains that "This is a small, inexpensive thing, yet the employees love it. Winning entries are framed in our hallways, and you have never seen prouder parents." VPI knows that the little things sometimes make all the difference. The Christmas card contest involves employee's families, which is also important to employee morale.
Another way to increase employee relations is through the Lifelong Learning Program. Through this program, VPI pays for any class an employee wants to take on any subject. The classes can lead to a degree, or be personal interest classes such as dancing, or golfing lessons. Crawford explains "We believe education is good." Many employees benefit from the Lifelong Learning Program.
 |
|
"Spicy
Tree" created by VPI Employees for 2000 Sheboygan Festival
of Trees
|
Other programs include: computer buying incentives, student scholarships, participation in community events (festival of trees, YMCA), and photography contests (with winners' photos are displayed in the company calendar).
In 1993, VPI created the VPI Foundation to formalize their approach to corporate giving. Carol Grover is the President of VPI Foundation and states their goals as improving: "community development, cultural programs, education, social services, and general charitable causes." She adds, the organizations must "focus on improving the quality of life in the communities in which VPI employees live and work." VPI Foundation has decided to help various causes, in a limited geographic focus.
 |
|
VPI
Courier Jack Aschenback loads donated food to deliver to Salvation
Army
|
Some of the programs that the VPI Foundation has supported and/or participated in are: Habitat for Humanity, Sheboygan Development Corporation, and United Way.
The first Habitat for Humanity was completed in 1993. VPI continues to actively support Sheboygan and Manitowoc Habitat for Humanity projects.
In 2000, VPI Employees contributed $16,000 to United Way. An amazing 70% of Sheboygan/Sheboygan Falls employees made a contribution. Food is collected every Christmas through the Holiday Food Drive organized by the Salvation Army. In 2000, employees donated over 2,200 items to the drive.
VPI is constantly seeking opportunities to diversify its products, use technical advances to create new products, and to continue supporting employees with various programs. VPI "understands its strengths and is focusing on them to secure a bright future for its customers, its employees, and for itself." Who can predict what's in store for this growing company?
VPI is proud of the recognition that they have received. The employee programs, community involvement, and goals for the future have helped make VPI a company that is recognized for outstanding accomplishments in business, as well as community interest programs.
Some of the factors that contribute to VPI's success are: The Lifelong Learning Program, Mission Statements, Core Values, Under promise/ over deliver philosophy, uniformity of facilities, Team Work concept, Community Involvement Programs, and various Employee contests.
VPI has been awarded: State of Wisconsin Governor's Exemplary Employer Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award for Commitment to Employees, Bruce Grover was awarded Wisconsin Small Business Person of the Year, and VPI is now listed as the 38th largest company in Wisconsin.
VPI,
LLC
P.O. Box 451
3123 South 9th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53082-0451
Phone: (920) 458-4664
www.vpicorp.com
vpi@vpicorp.com
Send
ESD Journal Mail: 
Company
Profile- Spotlight on
