Even a global pandemic can’t keep a good company down and we here at Armor Protective Packaging® are celebrating BIG over the news that we were recognized by Forbes as a Small Giant!  ARMOR is one of only 25 small companies in the United States to receive the annual award that is given to recognize companies that value “greatness over growth.”

Small Giant award nominees are selected based on six qualities:  purpose, leadership, finance, customers, community, company culture and also on what Forbes calls “incredible ‘mojo.’”

“I read Bo Burlingham’s book ‘Small Giants-Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big’ in about 2007 and I remember thinking these companies sound a lot like us,” said David Yancho, Vice President and co-owner of ARMOR.  “In fact, one of our core values is ‘Good is the enemy of Great,’ meaning we take everything we do and we try to make it not just good, not just satisfactory, but to make it great – it’s a lofty goal and it can, at times, be daunting but frankly, when we see the results it gives us energy or what Forbes calls ‘incredible mojo.’”

As a company, ARMOR has been a leader in the field of rust prevention and rust removal for more than 40 years.  During that time, founder John Holden expanded this Michigan-based company to include customers in more than 25 countries.   “We provide rust preventative packaging materials and liquids to more than 90% of the Fortune 500 industrial companies,” said Robin McConnell, President and co-owner of ARMOR.  “ARMOR has always valued growth but, that growth has always been balanced with making sure our culture stays intact.”

It’s no secret that as a company, ARMOR prides itself on a culture that supports work-life balance and that encourages employees to be authentic, have fun and put relationships and people before profits. “Another of our core values is being auFUNtic, it’s a name we invented to describe being authentic, genuine and fun,” explained Yancho.  “Our team is engaged, hardworking and knowledgeable, but they are also approachable and ‘real,’ a combination that is really important to us. We wanted to create an environment where people want to be here, where they are happy, valued and are able to do their best work.”

“Being named a Small Giant is a true testament to the entire ARMOR team at a time when we truly couldn’t be prouder,” said Yancho.  “During these past couple of months as we have negotiated and struggled through the coronavirus pandemic, I can’t count how many times Robin and I have said, ‘we have a GREAT team…we are very blessed.”  Forbes Magazine said it best, as a 2020 Forbes’ Small Giant, ARMOR has incredible mojo!

For the third year in a row, Armor Protective Packaging was named one of the Cool Places to Work in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business.

Ranked #14 out of the 100 “cool” places to work, ARMOR was highlighted for having breakfast every Friday, 24 hours of PTO annually to serve and volunteer, and it’s contribution of 3 percent to employee 401(k)s, regardless of whether employees contribute themselves.

As a company, ARMOR promotes a culture that supports work-life balance and encourages its team to be “AuFUNtic,” ARMOR’s term for authentic, genuine and fun. “At ARMOR, we practice what we preach. We live our core values as a company no matter the position or seniority within the company. Being AuFUNtic, making things great, and putting people and relationships first before profits – we live our core values.” said David Yancho, Vice President, of ARMOR.

ARMOR provides many additional “cool” benefits for ARMOR employees including a summer off-site outing, wacky holiday events, workout/exercise room, MSU-UM tailgates, a Halloween costume party, a fun Christmas party, monthly company provided lunches with business updates, a Celebrate-Your-Date spin the prize wheel anniversary recognition and much more!

Crain’s Detroit Business Cool Places to Work in Michigan is a statewide survey and awards program designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Michigan, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses.