Our Neighborhoods: The Upper East Side

Community By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Wednesday, July 20, 2022

    As we continue exploring the Upper East Side in Miami Lakes, two large buildings at Northwest 163rd Street and Northwest 59th Avenue are home to several unique businesses. 

     Vericast, which recently changed its name from Valassis, focuses on marketing technology. 

     “Vericast is a leading marketing solutions company that helps thousands of businesses connect with consumers through data analytics and broad portfolios of digital print and payment options,” said Karriel Augustin, plant manager.  

     David Darovitz, director of public relations for the newly renamed company, said the change unifies its other brands: Valassis, NCH MarketingHarland Clarke and QuickPivot.  

     At its Miami Lakes facility, the company focuses on the production of its Save. circular that is mailed to residences. 

     “The Save. mailer is an advertising packet that is comprised of valuable deals and coupons from our advertising partners,” Augustin said. 

     Vericast has been in Miami Lakes for 21 years and has employed hundreds of people.  Augustin has 10 years’ experience with the company and said the convenient transportation routes to deliver its products was why it located in town. 

     “Miami Lakes is a nice area, our space is great [and] the location is not too far from the highways from a logistic standpoint, it is very efficient,” Augustin said. 

      Since the company serves different markets close by and around the area, it made sense for the business, especially as it’s in an industrial park, he said. 

     “Going forward what we hope is to be able to serve the community with our advertisement business partners to provide valuable coupons and discounts,” Augustin said. 

     One of Vericast’s partners is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which he said has run ads on the back page of their Save. flyer. 

     “We’re able to help children and families reunite through this program that has been around nearly 40 years,” Augustin said. 

     In the next complex are Plasco ID, a manufacturer of digital badges and identification cards for governments and corporations, and Aircraft Electric Motors.

      AEM has 175 employees and 60,000 square feet of factory space to repair and manufacture aircraft components for military, commercial and corporate clients, according to its website. 

     This is the fourth story in a series on the Upper East Side neighborhood of Miami Lakes.