A SPOTLIGHT ON VISTA

 

Our History

 

At Vista, our heritage is built upon the wisdom and work ethic of an electrical contractor, our founder, Daniel F. Cuñado.

After installing and working with other brands of landscape fixtures in the mid-1980’s, Mr. Cuñado realized that he could build a more reliable, durable and better-looking line of fixtures himself. Initially building these handsome fixtures for use on his own projects from his garage, he quickly discovered that landscape contractors and landscape architects were interested in obtaining his fixtures for their own projects.

The start-up operation soon expanded into a full-time business as professional wholesale distributors signed on to carry the product line. Distribution expanded initially across the United States and later into Canada, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, the South Pacific and Asia.

In developing Vista’s manufacturing processes, Cuñado adopted important principals from larger companies. Specifically, he focused on processes and systems that would allow the company to offer customers both variety and fast delivery. Cuñado’s goal was to offer the widest variety of options in fixture styles, finishes, lamps, mounting and accessories and to deliver all of the millions of different combinations in an amazingly quick 24 hour turn around.

Using what he terms a “pizza parlor process” Vista stocks raw materials (like pizza ingredients) in large quantities. Then through an efficient process of die casting, machining, powder-coating and final assembly, these stock materials are rapidly combined into custom-made finished products in less than 24 hours. The process also allows for a high level of modification and customization which allows the company to rapidly deliver on special orders for high-end projects.

To achieve this level of productivity and through-put, the company has vertically-integrated many critical manufacturing functions that are typically outsourced, like die-casting and powder coating. This in-house control of these processes provides a higher level of quality control and delivery flexibility.

In addition to helping the company produce and deliver rapidly, the efficiencies gained from this process have also permitted continued manufacturing of all products in the United States. Domestic manufacturing with skilled labor is virtually non-existent in the
lighting industry.

In the last 10 years, the company has rapidly expanded in Simi Valley, California. It now occupies three large manufacturing plants building lighting fixtures, transformers, HID ballasts and accessories. An on-site product testing laboratory tests fixtures for long term durability in a variety of weather and climatic conditions. The testing facility also assures all products meet the standards of Underwriters Laboratories and international standards like CUL and CE. In addition, an on-site training center educates designers and contractors that visit the facility on innovative design and installation principals.

As Vista approaches its 25th year in business, the company has earned a solid reputation for product quality and service and is poised for continued rapid growth.

 

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