At Vantage Plastics, we’ve always believed that innovation, integrity, and collaboration drive meaningful success—not just in business, but in the communities we serve. That’s why it is with great pride and deep gratitude that we announce our company has been selected to receive the Outstanding Business Award from the Scott L. Carmona College of Business at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU).
This recognition is more than just a plaque or title—it’s a reflection of the tireless work, creativity, and passion of every member of our team. It celebrates the journey we’ve been on for nearly three decades and the values that continue to guide us into the future.
What Is the Outstanding Business Award?
The Outstanding Business Award is presented annually by SVSU’s Scott L. Carmona College of Business, one of Michigan’s premier institutions for developing the next generation of business leaders. The award honors companies that demonstrate outstanding business performance, leadership, community engagement, and innovation in their industry. It’s not given lightly. Businesses selected for this award have not only achieved success in their operations but have also contributed significantly to the economic and social vitality of the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond.
To be named among the distinguished recipients of this award is both humbling and energizing. It reaffirms our mission and validates the hard work that happens behind the scenes every single day at Vantage Plastics.
A Team-Driven Achievement
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that no milestone like this is reached alone.
While the award may carry our name, it truly belongs to our team—from our engineers, designers, and machine operators to our logistics crew, customer service reps, and support staff across all our facilities. Each individual at Vantage Plastics brings a unique strength, and together, they create a powerful force that moves us forward.
This award belongs to:
- The toolmaker who stayed late to ensure a prototype was perfect for a customer demo.
- The account manager who took time to truly understand a client’s unique challenges.
- The safety coordinator who made sure everyone on the floor went home safe.
- The recyclers at Edge Materials Management who gave new life to post-industrial foam.
- And every other employee who shows up with passion, purpose, and pride in their work.
Your commitment to excellence is the foundation of our success, and this recognition is a direct result of your dedication. Thank you.
Our Philosophy: Innovate Responsibly, Grow Sustainably
When Vantage Plastics was founded in 1996, our focus was simple: solve complex packaging and part challenges using custom thermoforming. Over the years, our capabilities and company family have grown to include injection molding (LOTIS Technologies), sheet extrusion (AirPark Plastics), and recycling (Edge Materials Management). But one thing has remained constant—our commitment to solving problems in smarter, more sustainable ways.
Whether it’s helping our customers reduce their carbon footprint with recyclable packaging, building in-house tooling that cuts turnaround times, or creating closed-loop material recovery systems, we constantly seek to improve not just the products we make, but the impact we leave behind.
This award highlights our belief that doing the right thing and doing great business are not mutually exclusive—they’re deeply intertwined.
Partnering with Education and the Next Generation
Our relationship with SVSU goes deeper than this award. As a business that operates and thrives in the Great Lakes Bay Region, we see ourselves as part of a broader ecosystem of progress—where academia, business, and community all play interconnected roles.
Through partnerships with institutions like SVSU, we’ve welcomed interns, collaborated on research, and spoken at events to share real-world insights with tomorrow’s business leaders. Being honored by the Carmona College of Business is especially meaningful because it comes from an organization that not only values academic excellence, but understands how vital strong business leadership is to our region’s future.
We believe it is our responsibility to pour into the next generation—just as those before us poured into ours.
Looking Ahead: Innovation with Purpose
Awards like this offer a powerful moment of reflection. They remind us where we’ve come from—but they also inspire us to keep pushing forward. At Vantage Plastics, we’re not interested in standing still.
We’re doubling down on investments in automation and smart manufacturing. We’re scaling up our circular economy initiatives and increasing the use of post-industrial recycled materials in our products. And we’re building even deeper relationships with the communities, partners, and customers who share our vision for responsible innovation.
This recognition doesn’t mark the finish line—it’s fuel for the road ahead.
A Final Word of Thanks
We want to express our sincere appreciation to the faculty and selection committee at SVSU’s Scott L. Carmona College of Business for this tremendous honor. To be recognized among so many impressive organizations across our region is something we don’t take lightly.
And to our customers, partners, and especially our employees: Thank you. Your trust, your loyalty, and your belief in our mission have made all of this possible.
We are proud to represent the Great Lakes Bay Region, proud of the team that makes our success possible, and proud to receive this Outstanding Business Award.
Here’s to the next chapter of impact, innovation, and excellence—together.
