What Data Guardian does

Data Guardian is a NAID AAA and Custodial Certified information management company founded in 2004 as a division of family-owned parent Kalamazoo X-Ray Sales, Inc. (KXS, est. 1968), headquartered in Portage, Michigan. The company provides secure document shredding (routine, on-call, and purge), hard drive and electronic media destruction, off-site records storage with barcoded inventory, OCR document scanning, X-ray film buy-back and recycling (leveraging parent KXS's medical imaging heritage), and records management consulting. It operates a 27,000 sq. ft. stand-alone facility with climate control, CCTV, third-party monitored alarms, and fire suppression, plus two authorized partner drop-off sites (Pak Mail in Battle Creek, PostNet in Sturgis) and route-based field services spanning Michigan, Northern Indiana, and recently Northern Ohio.

The core technology stack is operational rather than digital-native: a proprietary barcode tracking system follows every box from pickup through storage to final destruction, supported by a 24/7 customer web portal for inventory queries, retrieval requests, retention scheduling, and authorized-user management. Document scanning uses 300 dpi OCR for searchable digital files. Hard drives are destroyed via an exclusive shearing process that renders data unrecoverable, with turnaround within 3 days (15 days for large quantities). All destruction and imaging services are NAID-certified and subject to annual and unannounced audits.

Commercially, Data Guardian runs a hybrid revenue model. Subscriptions dominate the enterprise side: recurring routine shredding with locked container placement and scheduled pickup (weekly to quarterly), monthly records storage with per-box or per-cubic-foot pricing, and complimentary web portal access. Transactional revenue comes from drop-off shredding ($5/Letter Legal box, $0.25/lb over 60 lbs) at the Portage facility and partner locations, eCollection per-item fees ($10/hard drive, $25/computer or laptop, $40/bundle), X-ray film buy-back, and e-commerce sales of storage boxes and shred bags. Pricing is publicly listed as transparent with no hidden fees, no annual contracts, and 30-day cancellation, deliberately contrasting with incumbent providers. Customer mix spans healthcare providers, financial services, education, legal, government, manufacturing, SMB, and residential segments served via direct field sales, walk-in drop-off, partner channels, and the e-commerce storefront.

Name

Data Guardian

Legal name

Kalamazoo X-Ray Sales, Inc.

Website

https://dataguardianmi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Data Guardian is a NAID AAA Certified information management company in Portage, Michigan, providing secure document shredding, hard drive destruction, records storage, document scanning, and X-ray film recycling to healthcare, financial services, government, SMB, and residential customers across Michigan and Northern Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secure Document Destruction and Records Management

NAICS

Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (5621), Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Confidential Document Destruction & Secure Recycling (Shredding) (IMAIAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data Destruction Services (On-site/Off-site, Media Sanitization) (BPALAIAC), IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) & Data Destruction (EUAIAIAB), Confidential Document & Media Destruction (On-site Shredding Programs) (BPABALAI), E-Waste & IT Asset Disposition (On-site Collection & Secure Handling) (BPABALAF)

Keywords

• Document shredding services
• Hard drive destruction
• Records storage management
• Document scanning services
• Electronics recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Portage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Document Shredding Services: NAID AAA Certified document destruction including routine scheduled pickup, on-call pickup, and one-time purge services. Revenue generated through container fees, pickup frequency, and volume-based pricing. Monthly billing with certificates of destruction.
2. Records Storage: Secure off-site document storage with barcoded tracking. Customers pay per-box or cubic-foot pricing with complimentary web portal access. Additional revenue from retrieval and delivery services.
3. Document Scanning: Digitization services converting physical documents to searchable OCR files. Includes document preparation, scanning, indexing, and digital storage options.
4. Drop-off Shredding: Walk-in shredding services at Portage facility and partner locations. Per-box and per-pound pricing for residential and business customers.
5. eCollection (Electronics Recycling): Hard drive destruction and electronics recycling. Services include per-item fees for hard drives, computers, laptops, and bundles. Responsible recycling through R2 Certified facilities.
6. X-Ray Film Buy-Back: HIPAA-compliant x-ray film recycling with buy-back program. Revenue from recycling fees and film redemption values.
7. Storage Products Sales: Sale of storage boxes (Letter Legal and X-Ray), shred bags, and related supplies through e-commerce and in-person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Data Guardian provides NAID AAA Certified secure document destruction (routine, on-call, and purge shredding), hard drive and electronic media destruction, off-site records storage with barcode tracking and web portal access, document digitization/scanning with OCR, x-ray film buy-back recycling, and commercial storage services. The company serves businesses, government, healthcare, financial, and educational clients across Michigan and Northern Indiana with route-based field services and walk-in drop-off options.

Product overview

Data Guardian is a NAID AAA Certified information management company offering a unified suite of document destruction, storage, and digitization services. The core portfolio includes Document Shredding (routine, on-call, and purge options), Hard Drive Destruction, Records Storage with barcode tracking and 24/7 web portal access, Document Scanning with OCR capability, and X-Ray Film Buy-Back. Additional services encompass Records Management (classification systems), Commercial Storage & Logistics (27,000 sq. ft. facility), eCollection for electronics destruction, plus add-on products like Shredding Bags, Storage Boxes (Letter Legal and X-Ray), and Shredding Containers (rolling containers and consoles). All services are supported by NAID certifications and are offered on a no-contract basis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Document Shredding NAID AAA Certified secure paper shredding service available as routine scheduled pickup, on-call pickup, or one-time purge options. Includes locked containers placed at client sites, secure transport by route drivers, on-site destruction at certified facility, and certificate of destruction for compliance documentation. Targets businesses, healthcare, financial, legal, and government clients.
• Hard Drive Destruction NAID AAA Certified destruction of hard drives and electronic media using proprietary shearing technology that renders data unrecoverable. All drives destroyed within 3 days of arrival (15 days for large quantities). Materials recycled through R2 Certified facilities. Available via route pickup or walk-in drop-off for businesses and individuals.
• Records Storage Secure off-site document storage in a 27,000 sq. ft. climate-controlled facility with barcode tracking system that follows every box from pickup through storage to final destruction. Includes 24/7/365 web portal access for viewing inventories, requesting retrieval/delivery, setting retention schedules, and managing authorized users. CCTV surveillance, third-party monitored alarms, and fire suppression systems ensure security.
• Document Scanning Document digitization service converting physical records to searchable digital files. Includes packing, secure transport, 300 dpi OCR scanning, indexing, and digital storage with secure email delivery. NAID AAA Certified Scanning & Imaging. Designed for businesses converting paper records to digital format.
• X-Ray Film Buy-Back and Recycling HIPAA-compliant recycling of used x-ray film with secure destruction of film jackets and paper records. Buy-back program offering redemption value for film. Backed by parent company Kalamazoo X-Ray Sales' 55+ years of medical imaging expertise.
• Records Management Industry expertise in records classification system development and implementation including file organization, time-stamping, automated destruction scheduling, and tailored records management systems. Experienced with large-scale projects (up to 50,000 boxes). Includes complimentary web portal access and barcode tracking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% shredding cost reduction reported by Edwards Garment compared to previous provider
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kalamazoo X-Ray Sales, Inc. (KXS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Parent company and strategic partner. KXS founded in 1968, established Data Guardian as division in 2004 to expand services beyond medical imaging into information management. KXS provides 55+ years of business expertise, operational infrastructure, and industry credibility. KXS is a regional leader in medical imaging products and services, providing Data Guardian with established customer relationships and market presence.
• Pak Mail Battle CreekminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized drop-off shredding partner location inside Pak Mail store in Battle Creek, MI. Partner sets pricing, hours, and drop-off policies. Materials deposited are partner's responsibility until collected by Data Guardian route driver for NAID AAA Certified destruction.
• PostNet SturgisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized drop-off shredding partner location inside PostNet store in Sturgis, MI. Partner sets pricing, hours, and drop-off policies. Materials deposited are partner's responsibility until collected by Data Guardian route driver for NAID AAA Certified destruction.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Crown Information Management: Regional records storage, secure shredding, and scanning services provider. Comparable across shredding, storage, and digitization offerings for SMB and mid-market clients.
• Access Information Management: Mid-market records management and secure destruction provider with similar service portfolio (shredding, storage, scanning, hard drive destruction). Comparable size, customer mix, and go-to-market motion; one of the most direct competitors in regional markets.
• PROSHRED Security: Franchise-based mobile document and hard drive destruction operator. Comparable on shredding services and NAID certification positioning; franchise model contrasts with Data Guardian's family-owned single-territory approach.
• Corodata Records Management: Regional records storage and secure shredding provider offering off-site storage, document imaging, and NAID-certified destruction. Closely comparable service mix and customer segments to Data Guardian.
• Vital Records Control: Regional information management company providing records storage, shredding, imaging, and electronic media services. Similar service portfolio and customer base (healthcare, financial, legal) to Data Guardian.
• DocuVault Records Management: Independent records management and secure destruction provider with similar off-site storage, scanning, and shredding capabilities. Comparable mid-market regional operator profile.

Broad incumbents

• Recall (Iron Mountain): Acquired by Iron Mountain in 2016, was previously a direct global competitor in records storage, secure shredding, and digital information management. Highlights the consolidation path available to mid-market players like Data Guardian.
• Iron Mountain Incorporated: Largest global records management, secure shredding, and information destruction operator. Directly comparable across shredding, records storage, hard drive destruction, and scanning; vastly larger scale, national footprint, and enterprise customer base.
• Shred-it (Stericycle): Largest North American document destruction franchise operator, now part of Stericycle. Directly comparable paper shredding and hard drive destruction services; significantly larger route density and enterprise contract penetration.
• Cintas Corporation: Operates a document shredding and records management business as part of its broader uniform and facility services portfolio. Comparable on shredding routes, with significant enterprise sales force and national coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dataguardiansec

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Data Guardian