Industry Member Spotlight: Armor Protective Packaging®

This article appeared in the June 2026 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

“People and relationships first.”

That’s a core value at Armor Protective Packaging® in Howell, and it lies within the foundation of everything they do and who they are. It’s reflected in how they treat customers, in their dedication to philanthropy and in the quality of their products.

ARMOR provides “clean, safe and easy” rust prevention and removal solutions that feature a unique water-based chemistry — all with the purpose of “taking the work out of someone’s workday” and giving customers peace of mind.

Founded in 1979 by the late John Holden, ARMOR is owned by Dave Yancho, who carried and expanded the vision for the company, and Robin McConnell, who developed the water-based rust prevention chemistry and guided the company’s growth. President Ryan Gingery says their rust preventative films, paper and other solutions are safer for the environment and cleaner to handle than oil- or grease-based rust prevention products.

Their team members gain joy out of giving customers these safe, effective solutions, he adds, and that’s indicative of a much deeper culture at ARMOR.

How We Measure Success

Culture. Is our team living our core values? If we are, we have seen and believe we will continue to see great results.

How We Motivate Our Team

Transparency, flexibility and professional growth. We try to be an open book as much as possible; we are all one team. We understand that a work-life balance gets tilted often, so we give people autonomy to manage the ebbs and flows. Work closely with individuals to meet their professional growth goals, even if it is not with ARMOR.

ARMOR regularly hosts internal team-building events and has a VALOR Program, which gives each associate three paid days off to contribute to a local, charitable organization of their choice. Volunteerism also helps to enhance connections, as demonstrated on the annual Livingston County United Way Day of Caring.

“Half the company will go in the morning and the other half in the afternoon, and we usually tackle one big project, whether it’s building a new deck for somebody or painting a house,” Gingery says. “It brings us together, but that’s a secondary win. The first win is that we get to serve people in need.”

For several years, ARMOR sponsored the local Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show and the Red Tie Gala, drawing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Salvation Army. This year, it was all about the Salvation Army’s “Red Tee” golf outing in May.

Our Impact

We strive to put people and relationships first, and to show that when you do, growth and profits will naturally follow.

Looking Ahead

Growth within our niche. Staying in our lane and finding customers that see the value we bring. Internally bring more operations in-house, creating new positions and growth opportunities for our rockstars.

“We’re going to have people within ARMOR serve wherever they can serve best, from seating guests to being on the greens,” Gingery said as they planned for the event. “We’re going to be, as a staff, working the event and bringing our ‘au-fun-tic’ spirit to it.”

Over the years, ARMOR’s work has expanded from the automotive industry into the heavy equipment, agriculture, construction, firearms and aerospace markets — and now data centers due to the high demand for rust prevention products for IT equipment. But, although they are consistently working to meet the market’s evolving needs, Gingery says they have one message in mind internally: to keep doing what they’re doing.

Our Culture

 

AuFUNtic (authentic + fun). People are themselves and we lean into their unique strengths.

How We’re Adapting

 

Our customers are becoming increasingly delighted with a clean, safe and easy product offering, procured and delivered in a simple and easy way. We strive to find every avenue to take the work out of their workday.

“We do not want to deviate or lose focus of what we’re great at,” he says. “We want to remember that we’re a people-first company that makes clean, safe and easy products and we take the work out of our customers’ workday.”

As ARMOR aims to assist customers and discover more solutions for them while holding onto what made the company what it is today, their internal culture continues to make a positive impact throughout Livingston County.

Armor Protective Packaging® is an MMA Industry Member and has been an MMA member company since May 2023. Visit online: armorvci.com.