The Next Generation

Putting their textile contacts to use, Little states that the company’s key market has been the textile soft-line industry, mainly socks and hosiery. VPL has used its business model to penetrate the hard-line textile industry as well (i.e. chemical, food and beverage, cosmetic, and commercial).

VPL hasn’t been immune to competition from overseas companies and has had a few hurdles to contend with during the last few years, namely the influx of import goods. That doesn’t mean the company’s growth stymied. “To help counterbalance the overseas business, VPL has set up a very successful international program [offering] fast response time, competitive pricing, and air shipment to anywhere in the world within five to seven business days,” says Little. “We consistently are able to ship packaging anywhere in the world faster and more economically than the international printers/brokers, all while the U.S. accounts have the comfort of using a domestic printer that offers the highest quality packaging without sacrificing the accountability and communication.” This international business currently accounts for ten percent of VPL’s ­total business.