Vanguard is growing its presence in North America by investing in its Whitmore Lake headquarters. The photography-equipment company is in the midst of expanding its product portfolio, hiring more employees, and just finished a renovation of its offices.
"It didn't have the look or feel of what you see online with Vanguard," says Josh Pawlak, director of marketing for
Vanguard.
Since 1986, Vanguard has made a name for itself with its high-quality camera accessory products. It got its start with camera tripods and now offers a broad range of photography equipment through its worldwide operations. It currently employs 20 people in Whitmore Lake after hiring five people, including two managers, over the last year.
To help accomodate that growth the company renovated its offices, turning the 5,000 square feet of office space into a more open, collaborative environment. The work, which began in January, wrapped up in April.
"It's definitely a family environment," Pawlak says. "Most of the people who work here have been here for 15-20 years."
Vanguard's products can be purchased in 76 countries around the world. It has steadily clocked more than $15 million in sales in recent years. It has also pumped up its product portfolio by 25 percent, adding a new travel collections that includes freshly designed tripods and photobags.
"They’re designed for the people who love to travel," Pawlak says.
Source: Josh Pawlak, director of marketing for Vanguard
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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