VERNON, CALIF. – There’s nothing like a summer block party to kick off a company’s next 100 years… and in Vernon last weekend, Coast Packing greeted friends and family with vivid reasons for its longevity.
Along with hundreds of employees past and present, Coast celebrated a century of transformation — and 100 years of great taste — during an afternoon dedicated to showcasing both the staying power of family leadership and the enduring appeal of food that is authentic, traditional, and just plain delicious.
With carnival games, music, and a special appearance by Coast’s 3500-hp ’69 ProCharger Pro Mod Camaro, the program for the day’s festivities paid tribute to Coast’s extended family, including City of Vernon officials and the Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
An integral part of Southern California’s restaurant, baking and food industries, Coast is the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings lard and beef tallow in the Western United States. The company was founded in 1922 as a livestock and meat‐packing business and expanded over the years into a food‐industry leader.
“These days, it’s not that unusual for a company to hit the century mark.” said Eric R. Gustafson, Coast’s Chairman and CEO. “People, after all, are living longer than ever. But not that many companies connect their business trajectory to stories, personal stories, as profoundly as Coast Packing does. Coast’s story is my family’s story and really does embody the American Dream.
“There was nothing inevitable about our family’s perseverance and persistence,” Gustafson said. “Coast crossed the century mark through acts of will and acts of vision, following twists and turns and a myriad of shifts in the market, in consumer demand, in the regulatory environment.
“No matter the challenge or opportunity, Coast stayed the course while the course itself was changing because we stayed true to our core values of honesty, integrity, and respect, and to put the company and our people first,” he said. “That, I believe, is what it means to be visionary. With Coast, as with so many endeavors, it takes a village – in this case, that means honoring our employees, past, present, and future. Our suppliers. Our customers. Our community — the leadership in Vernon, who make this great city successful.
“And, always, it circles back to family, ours and yours. We’re here in part to honor Gen 5, even before their time arrives,” Gustafson said. “We are so proud of being a family business and treating our business as family. I believe that explains a lot about why we’re here today. My family and I thank all of you for shaping what Coast has been and what it will become. One hundred truly is a magic number. Here’s to the next 100 years!”
About Coast Packing Company
Now marking its 100th year in business, Coast Packing Company (http://www.coastpacking.com), a closely held corporation, is the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings – particularly lard and beef tallow — in the Western United States. The company sells to major manufacturers, CPG companies, QSR and fast-food restaurant chains, broadline food service distributors, retailers, smaller food service operations, and leading bakeries. The company participates actively in diverse ethnic markets – from Hispanic retail chains, with its VIVA® brand, to various Asian specialty markets. Based in Vernon, Calif., Coast Packing Company is regional, national and, increasingly, global. In some cases, relationships are multigenerational, extending back 50 years and more. Coast is a founding member of the Healthy Fats Coalition (http://www.healthyfatscoalition.org/).
For more information about Coast Packing Company, visit: http://www.coastpacking.com. Follow us via social media on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/coastpackingco, Twitter @coastpackingco and Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/coastpackingco.
