Elite Dealers $5 Million to $10 Million

ACT Group

Cromwell, CT

www.goactgroup.com

Year Founded: 1974

President/Owner: Cindi Gondek CEO

Number of Employees: 34

Primary Vendors: Ricoh, Kyocera, Xerox, 3D Systems, Riso, Panasonic

Primary Solutions Offerings: Cima, Artsyl, Docuclass, Microsoft, EasyForward, PaperCut

Primary Leasing Partners: Wells Fargo, CIT, US Bank

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: 3D equipment and software, document management software, scanning/indexing services. Growth in these three areas was well over 50 percent. 3D equipment, supplies, and service contract sales were over 100 percent

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: ACT Group’s 3D team worked with the Mystic Aquarium and the Mystic Middle school children to design and print a special boot for an injured penguin. The ability to train middle school students on the software and see how brilliant they are shows the capabilities of not only the additive manufacturing technology but the future of this world-changing technology in the hands of our children.

Why We Consider ACT Group Elite:

• Innovative offerings.  ACT Group works tirelessly to become one of the finest solution providers in its region and became one of the first providers of 3D technology in Connecticut.  When Cindi and Greg Gondek decided to branch out into the realm of additive manufacturing back in 2012, they saw to it that their 3D division went through over six months of rigorous training to be able to provide complete support to their clients before officially launching the expanded product line. Today, they work closely with a wide range of clients in a variety of industries including aerospace and education to provide end-to-end solutions and as a result, are recognized as New England’s Resource Center for 3D Technology.
• Understanding that doing good is also good marketing. The video produced to show how ACT Group helped Purps the Penguin has had over 2 million views worldwide and exposure from BBC television, the Weather Channel, YouTube, and TV stations coast to coast. Several celebrities also mentioned it on their Facebook pages.
• Partner recognition. ACT Group has received the Ricoh Circle of Excellence award the past five years and Kyocera’s Service Excellence award for the past 31 consecutive years. It is the most awarded Kyocera Dealer on the East Coast.
• A strong sense of family. ACT Group celebrates the good times together and, what is more rare, comes together when things aren’t so good. Knowing that the company supports each employee beyond 9 to 5 makes life more enjoyable for everyone.
• Giving back to the community. In addition to its work at the Mystic Aquarium, ACT Group donates a percentage of its sales to the Middlesex United Way. A grant program has donated equipment service and supplies to needy non-profits for the past 17 years. The company also donates software, time, and resources to various educational programs to foster a unique learning experience for children.

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Allen Business Machines (ABM Co Inc)

Fort Wayne, IN

http://www.abmfw.com

Year Founded: 1953

President/Owner: Dan Maucher

Number of Employees: 32

Primary Vendors: Sharp, Kyocera, HP, Fellowes

Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, ACDI PaperCut, Infodynamics

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $6 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed network services (55 percent), service (7 percent)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Reaching a goal of improving sales, gross profit, and cost numbers resulting in a 35 percent increase in profit.

Why We Consider ABM Co Elite:

• Commitment to serving the local market. As the last locally owned dealership in its servicing area, ABM Co has shown its customers that it will be there in good times and bad.
• High standards for service. ABM Co promises a two-hour response time. The company also instituted a complete call process. Techs service the entire machine at time of call, replacing anything that needs to be replaced. This eliminates the need for several calls a month on the same machine, increases copies between calls, and helps maintain the two-hour response.
• Industry and partner recognition. ABM Co has earned Sharp’s Hyakuman Kai and Platinum Service Provider awards. It is also a Pros Elite 100 Servicing Dealer, and has received the BBB Torch award for marketplace ethics.
• A family-oriented business. Employees consider themselves as part of the family and are treated as such. This past year employees were given a raise and earned a profit sharing bonus. ABM shares success with the employees.
• Giving back to the community. ABM Co is a corporate sponsor of SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect), and it gives employees an extra day of paid vacation to volunteer their time with Habitat for Humanity building homes for the less fortunate.

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Bay Copy

Rockland, MA

baycopy.com

Year Founded: 1972

President/Owner: Ray Belanger

Number of Employees: 35

Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Muratec, Toshiba, Lexmark

Primary Solutions Offerings: MPS, Lexmark Business Solutions Dealer (BSD) for Lexmark

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Wells Fargo

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Continued development of the MPS business, which has grown its base by 30 percent in 2014 and 2015. Bay Copy also expanded its relationship in a major area healthcare network to include all its output devices. The company also received the Platinum Award from GE Capital and the Imagemakers Award from Muratec.

Why We Consider Bay Copy Elite:

• Longevity and reputation. Bay Copy has 44 years of experience in the industry and the region and has built a reputation for dependability and for being an industry leader.
• Willingness to adapt business and product offerings to each client. Bay Copy offers customized billing and department charge-back programs and customized help desk support. The company’s diverse product offerings allow it to build solutions well-tailored to its clients’ needs.
• Industry support. Bay Copy is a strong corporate citizen. CEO Ray Belanger was a past chairman of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Bay Copy is still front and center of Chamber activities. Belanger remains an active member of a national trade association, the Select Dealer Group, which he helped found. Other team members are active in civic and business organizations throughout the region.
• A strong, stable workforce. Bay Copy offers a competitive compensation program and incentives. These include incentive-based compensation programs, generous benefits, and job stability. Many employees have been with the company for more than 20 years and some for over 30.
• Giving back to the community. Bay Copy is a member of The Presidents’ Circle of the South Shore Hospital, pledging funds to improve availability of health care on the South Shore. The company also sponsors a number of charitable events.

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California Business Machines Inc. (CBM)

Fresno, CA

www.cbmsolution.com

 

Year Founded: 1953

President/Owner: Teri Brymer

Number of Employees: 23

Primary Vendors: Kyocera, Kip Wide Format, Fargo ID Printers

Primary Solutions Offerings: Kyocera software and apps, GoldFax, PaperCut, docSTAR/Eclipse Imaging Software

Primary Leasing Partners: Leaf, CIT, US Bank, Wells Fargo, Marlin

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Equipment sales (20 percent year-over-year the past three years), service revenue (38 percent annual increase)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Achieved 20 percent year-over-year growth with Kyocera.

Why We Consider CBM Elite:

• Family focused. Customers like doing business with CBM because it is a successful 63-year-old local family-owned company that treats them like family. It is right-sized to react quickly to correct any mistakes with emphasis on what is right for the customer—not always the bottom line. The company also treats its employees like family offering merit pay and regular reviews so they keep improving and have more opportunities.
• Local and industry recognition. Not only did CBM earn the BEI/ENX Platinum Service Dealer Award this year, the region’s Business Journal’s readers voted it Best Office Technology Company.
• Flexible financing options. CBM uses both third-party and internal financing when needed, especially for government and education rental programs and for refurbished MFPs for both short and long-term rentals.
• Innovative pricing. CBM offers customers three-tier color billing on all Kyocera color MFPs and printers with spot color as low as two or three cents. It helps differentiate CBM and Kyocera when proposing and closing.
• Customers willing to recommend. CBM won two big deals this spring. Both customers cared about product and pricing, but purchased from CBM after carefully checking with CBM’s references to determine CBM’s level of support and service.
• Charitable giving. CBM gives donations to local universities to support athletics and education. It also sponsors Kiwanis programs that support local youth.

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Copier Fax Business Technologies, Inc. (Copier Fax)

Buffalo, NY

copierfaxbt.com

Year Founded: 1990

President/Owner: Al Scibetta

Number of Employees: 35

Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Muratec, Lexmark

Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare for document management and IT services

Primary Leasing Partners: DLL

Approximate Yearly Revenue: More than $6 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Solution selling, driven by the company’s own Documentelligence™ process

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Copier Fax Business Technologies won the exclusive rights to sell the new Muratec Precision Label Press products in its territory. This press has proven popular with regional wineries and breweries.

Why We Consider Copier Fax Elite:

• Smart branding and packaging of products and services. The company created its Documentelligence™ process that assesses the needs of the entire office in order to convert it to a smart office through hardware, software, IT services, security, and document management.
• Strong customer relationships supported by good service. The company takes the time to get to know its customers personally, and then supports that relationship by creating positive experiences with its service. Customers are also invited to open house events where they can see and get discounts on its latest products and features. The company has won a number of service awards, including Konica Minolta’s Pro-Tech Service Award nine years in a row.
• High visibility marketing. Copier Fax is a major partner and sponsor with the Buffalo Sabres and has been branded as The Official Office Technology Company of the Buffalo Sabres. The company’s new fleet has full vehicle wraps with its branding and the Sabres partnership. A strong social media strategy has also proven an effective way to get the company’s stories, events, and other news out to the community.
• Supportive to employees. Management is approachable, flexible, and supportive of its employees. Copier Fax believes that family is important and it tries to be sensitive to any family needs.
• Charitable giving. The company is a major sponsor of the Summit Educational Walk for Autism. About 10 percent of its profits go to sponsoring charitable fundraisers.

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Copy Concepts, Inc.

Fort Myers, FL

www.copyconceptsinc.com

 

Year Founded: 1983

President/Owner: Ron Hickox

Number of Employees: 24

Primary Vendors: Toshiba, Lexmark, KIP

Primary Solutions Providers: PrintTracker

Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, Wells Fargo

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Color MFPs

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Paying off the mortgage to its building in Fort Myers.

Why We Consider Copy Concepts Elite:

• Stability and consistency. Copy Concepts has been locally owned in economically volatile Southwest Florida for 33 years with the same OEM partner. Its customers know that they can call anytime and speak directly with the owner if needed. The company is large enough to be competitive in service response times, service rates, and cost of equipment.
• Effective use of sales incentives. Offers have included a free document feeder on all new equipment, creative in-house financing, special rates for refurbished equipment, and variable and unique service plans to fit a customer’s specific needs.
• Strong public sector presence. Copy Concepts has won multiple large placements in a number of different county entities in multiple counties throughout its region. The company has worked effectively with Toshiba’s government account rep to secure that business.
• A positive attitude. Copy Concepts looks to hire upbeat and positive people in all departments. Ron Hickox leads with the positive mental attitude mindset, which encourages the employees follow suit. Hickox and the company’s managers are approachable, and employees are encouraged to have fun. This makes for a more relaxed working environment.
• Giving back to the community. Copy Concepts has donated copiers to churches and schools. Each Christmas, employees purchase new toys for 75 under-privileged children instead of doing a gift swap. The company has also donated money to a number of customers that are non-profits.

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Corporate Business Systems

Madison, WI

www.corpbussystems.com

Year Founded: 1998

President/Founder: Mike Blake

Number of Employees: 22

Primary Vendors: Xerox, Savin, Lexmark, Canon, Samsung

Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, Ademero

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Xerox Financial, Wells Fargo

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Production print (56 percent annually), MPS (20 percent annually)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Profit growth of 26 percent over previous year. Awarded the Platinum Triple Crown Award from Xerox for outstanding sales growth.

Why We Consider Corporate Business Systems Elite:

• Above standard response time and first-call effectiveness. Corporate Business Systems incentivizes its technicians on first call effectiveness and response time.
• Success with production print. Part of the growth in the company’s production print business came from a marketing promotion that generated more than $300,000 in sales.
• Partner recognition. Corporate Business Systems received the Xerox Platinum Triple Crown Award.
• Employee support. The company pays competitive wages with ability to earn bonuses. Technicians get company cars, and employees can have flexible schedules when possible.
• Charitable giving. The company donates office equipment and money to non-profits, focusing on those that serve the homeless.

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Definitive Technology Solutions, Inc. (DTS)

Bloomington, MN

www.go-dts.com

Year Founded: 2004

President/Owner: Gordon Running and Mark Stokes

Number of Employees: 35

Primary Vendors: Sharp, Oki Data

Primary Solutions Offerings: DocuWare, PaperCut, Print Audit

Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, GreatAmerica

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed IT services

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The company rebranded in January 2016 to become Definitive Technology Solutions (formerly Document Technology Solutions) to reflect the evolving industry and its commitment to network technologies and services. This year, DTS exceeded $1 million in total sales for a single month for the first time in company history.

Why We Consider DTS Elite:

• Willingness to be flexible and responsive. DTS takes pride in its responsive service and solutions tailored to clients’ unique needs. DTS offers a suite of services to help manage IT systems, improve document workflow, control printing costs, and secure confidential information. The company has a live, local help desk, local parts and supply inventory, preventative maintenance schedule and repair/replace warranty. Its response times and first-call resolution average exceed industry benchmarks.
• Partner recognition. DTS has been named a Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider and has earned the Sharp Hyakuman Kai award for the past 10 years.
• Employee support. DTS values its employees and treats them with respect, providing a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
• Charitable giving. The company forms a quarterly charity group to sponsor events with non-profit organizations throughout the community. It also makes financial contributions to local charities and participates in golf events and other fundraisers for local non-profits.

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Image Matters

Knoxville, TN

imagemattersinc.com

Year Founded: 1999

President/Owner: JD Sullivan and Bob Lovelace

Number of Employees: 28

Primary Vendors: Xerox, Muratec, Lexmark, Brother, KIP

Primary Solutions Offerings: Xerox PageSafe, PaperCut, ScanFlow Store

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Wells Fargo, in-house leasing and rental programs

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $7 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed print fleet management, national account fleet installations

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The MPS division has provided more than 500 machine-in-field increase through Q3 of 2016.

Why We Consider Image Matters Elite:

• Staying accessible to customers while growing. As Image Matters grows at a double-digit pace, it maintains a strong sense of urgency in the care it gives its customers.
• A good balance of traditional and social media marketing. Drive time radio keeps the Image Matters name present in the local area, but social media offerings are now the largest growth area for marketing. A SEO-based system automates contact with our clients and prospects, keeping them better informed and helping them understand the full line of offerings.
• Industry recognition. Image Matters has been named Xerox MPS National Dealer of the Year, a Xerox Platinum Dealer, GreatAmerica Premier Dealer, and Pros Elite 100 Service Organization.
• Commitment to the community. Image Matters helps with year-round fundraising to benefit the Children’s Hospital of East Tennessee. President JD Sullivan is a board member of The
• Compassion Coalition, and owner Bob Lovelace is an active supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Organization.

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Imagine Technology Group (ITG)

Chandler, AZ

itgarizona.com

Year Founded: 2011

President/Owner: Mary Ellen Franz

Number of Employees: 30

Primary Vendors: Sharp, Toshiba, Lexmark, Crexendo (phones)

Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, SharePoint, PaperCut, Drivve Image, Planet Press, Neopost OMS500, Microsoft 365

Primary Leasing Partners: RJF (internal leasing), Wells Fargo

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Solutions expected to be 20 to 25 percent of total revenue for 2016

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: ITG has moved into a new, larger facility, implemented a new ERP system ( MWAi Forza – SAP Business One), hired critical positions (Executive VP, VP IT), and grew its sales team with seasoned professionals from within the industry.

Why We Consider ITG Elite:

• Locally owned and responsive. Customers like that ITG is locally owned with employees who are empowered to make decisions on the customers’ behalf.
• Investing for continued growth. ITG has grown to the point where it had to move to a new facility with three times the space. It is using that space to do new things to continue growing, such as hosting Lunch & Learn events for prospects and customers.
• Providing full solutions. ITG’s managed assessment approach to selling technology solutions allows it to identify multiple areas where the company can help improve customers’ businesses including phones, solutions, and managed services. ITG can leverage the customer’s entire spend to facilitate a complete solution.
• Strong company culture. ITG is family oriented. Many of its employees have been at the company for more than 15 years, and the company hires new employees who work hard with a positive attitude. Every year ITG has an employee weekend at a local resort.
• Giving back to the community. ITG participates in local golf tournaments, customer fundraising events, and food drives.

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Martin Group

Lake Geneva, WI

www.martingroup.com

Year Founded: 1980

President/Owner: John Stensland

Number of Employees: 24

Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta

Primary Solutions Offerings: OneSource MPS, PageScope, PaperCut, Unity by Nuance

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Konica Premier Finance, Municipal Capital

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Software sales (about 200 percent growth over past few years)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Achieving the milestone of 35 years in business and having been a contributor to the growth and success of Martin Group’s community.

Why We Consider Martin Group Elite:

• Client-first mentality. Today many businesses base their level of success on their profit margins. They seem to forget that businesses are there to serve and grow a family of clients. No one wants to do business with a company who only cares about the bottom line. Martin Group understands this. Martin Group knows that its relationship with clients doesn’t just consist of the few seconds it takes to sign paperwork for a device. It starts before that and continues throughout the entire partnership with them. Martin Group is dedicated to ensuring that it takes care of the client first.
• Experienced, industry-recognized service. Martin Group’s technicians average over 13 years of experience in the field. The company has received Konica Minolta’s Pro-Tech service award for 11 years in a row.
• A personalized approach. Martin Group differentiates itself in the area of continuous client care. It does a full analysis of the client’s workflow needs and how its current devices are handling that workflow. The subsequent analysis and planning often leads to at least a 10 percent decrease in monthly printing costs and in some cases up to 30 percent.
• Promoting teamwork and selflessness. Martin Group employees are encouraged to rely on others, knowing they can’t do it all alone. The company is also constantly training team members on software and tools such as the new Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and the dispatch software RemoteTech, as well as Compass Sherpa.
• Support for the community. Martin Group sponsors local sports teams and non-profit organizations. It also donates equipment to community events and local organizations such as our local Agape House, a home for abused or distressed girls. Martin Group also participates in over 20 area Chambers of Commerce throughout Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

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Millennium Business Systems

Livonia, MI

www.2millennium.com

Year Founded: 1997

President/Owner: Mike Neu

Number of Employees: 36

Primary Vendors: Toshiba

Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5-$10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS, software, and printing services

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Purchasing an additional 16,000 square-foot building to accommodate growth.

Why We Consider Millennium Business Systems Elite:

• Effective restructuring of the sales staff. Millennium reorganized its sales staff from one large team into three smaller teams with team leaders. The results are significantly increased revenue and a career path for young sales representatives. This new team-selling atmosphere engages the entire team in every account, which has improved customers’ overall experience with Millennium.
• Innovative use of technology. Millennium converted its service staff to tablets, eliminating all paper service tickets. The customer gets an electronic service ticket receipt immediately following the completion of a service call.
• Strong Customer Service. It provides average service response time of 2.85 hours and same day or next day delivery of supplies along with lifetime repair/replace warranty.
• Strong company culture. Millennium has a family atmosphere. From the top down everyone is approachable and committed to high standards of performance, but also having fun while doing it.
• The company recently hired an HR recruiter to hire the right people who will be committed to its core values.
• Charitable giving. The company sponsors multiple golf outings for local schools and non-profits.

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MOEbiz

Monroe, LA

www.moebiz.biz

Year Founded: 1923

President/Owner: Chap Breard

Number of Employees: 28

Primary Vendors: Samsung, Lanier, Equus

Primary Solutions Offerings: Square 9, NSI

Primary Leasing Partners: Great America, US Bank

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million

Fastest Growing Business Segment: Managed network services has gone from $149,000 in 2014 to $306,000 in 2015. The 2016 target is 32 percent growth.

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Growing managed network services by 32 percent and also selling its Neopost business to allow further concentration on MNS and imaging.

Why We Consider MOEbiz Elite:

• Innovative marketing. MOEbiz created video brochures that are mailed to “suspects.” When the brochure is opened, an MNS or MPS video begins playing. This helps get the message across about what exactly MNS is. Videos on its website ask tough questions that are hard to ask in person. For example, “When is the last time you received a status on the health of your network from your internal or external IT support?”
• A “do it right” mentality. MOEbiz believes customers like doing business with the company because it has high standards, a knowledgeable staff, and strives to get to the bottom of issues.
  Partner recognition. MOEbiz was awarded the first annual Champs award from Ricoh and another award for printer growth.
• Open lines of communication with employees. MOEbiz strives to keep its employees informed by conducting monthly “ownership thinking” meetings where the dealership’s financial performance and other key metrics are reviewed.
• Giving back to the community. MOEbiz helps with feeding the homeless every other month and allows employees to serve. The company also donates services many times a year to schools and other non-profit organizations.

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On Demand Incorporated

Houston, TX

www.ondemandhouston.com

 

 

Year Founded: 1999

President/Owner: Michael A Gray

Number of Employees: 20

Primary Vendors: Kyocera, Sharp, MBM, Martin Yale, Pitney Bowes

Primary Solutions Offerings: Drivve, PaperCut, Satori

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, DLL, Marlin, Wells Fargo

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Pitney Bowes (150 percent), color copiers (200 percent)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Pitney Bowes named On Demand its first and only authorized distributor in Houston in its 90-year history.

Why We Consider On Demand Elite:

• On Demand is a full service dealership. It supports and maintains everything it sells, and provides supplies as well.
• Services and options that maximize efficiency for its customers. In addition to its MPS services, On Demand uses FM Audit to more efficiently serve its customers with supplies, and its Tri-Meter Billing allows for customers to pay for the color they use by percentage, not per page.
• Partner recognition. On Demand was named a Premier Dealer by GreatAmerica and Pitney Bowes.
• On Demand cross trains its employees. This allows everyone to help or fill in when needed and makes for employees who are more knowledgeable about the industry.
• Community participation. On Demand supports Star of Hope, Knights of Columbus, and the Houston Postal Consumer Council.

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Pearson-Kelly Office Products

Springfield, MO

www.pearsonkelly.com

 

Year Founded: 2002

President/Owner: Mike Kelly

Number of Employees: 27

Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Copystar

Primary Solutions Offerings: Nuance Autostore, Square 9, Prism, PaperCut

Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, GreatAmerica

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS and hardware sales are on pace for 20 percent growth in 2016

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: The implementation of the ProFinance (Tom Johnson’s benchmarking model). This has allowed Pearson-Kelly to quickly identify areas of improvement and plan growth strategically and with an educated eye on how decisions will affect benchmarks.

Why We Consider Pearson-Kelly Elite:

• A keep-it-simple approach. Pearson-Kelly works to simplify complex solutions and workflows. The company believes communication is King and prides itself on that simple concept with internal and external clients.
• Strength in managed services. Through Konica Minolta’s All Covered, Pearson-Kelly provides a high-value, high-expertise help desk offering to its market. It also provides a nationwide MPS program with fully automated supply fulfillment, help desk, and personalized web portal for each client.
• Focus on great service. Pearson-Kelly surveys clients post service call. Technicians are expected to arrive or call the client within an hour of the service call. The company’s dispatch process and overall technician rating is 9.7 or higher every month.
• Partner recognition. Pearson-Kelly has received growth awards from both Konica Minolta and Copystar.
• A supportive, forgiving culture. A very engaged owner and leadership team care for their team. Management does quarterly breakfast or lunches to keep the various departments interacting. The primary factor, however, is simply a laid back culture of forgiveness as long as people learn from mistakes. Everyone is held accountable, but the goal is to coach, not fire.
• Giving back to the community. Pearson-Kelly provides financial and in-kind support of local non-profits. Employees get paid time off for charitable work, and the company has provided printed materials for non-profit events.

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Sims Business Systems

Tempe, AZ

www.getsims.com

 

Year Founded: 1978

President/Owner: Mark Sims

Number of Employees: 42

Primary Vendors: Ricoh, Samsung

Primary Solutions Offerings: Ricoh CHAMPS and software solutions, digital signage

Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, Everbank, GreatAmerica

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $8 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: IT services, Samsung and Ricoh products and solutions. Overall business has grown almost 30 percent in the past 12 months.

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Getting the Sims name out more effectively on social media and providing clients with more information on its offerings.

Why We Consider Sims Business Systems Elite:

• A long reputation for service. For nearly 40 years, family-run Sims has had a reputation for open communication and honest dialog.
• Expansion into new areas. Over the past 24 months, Sims has added Samsung—not only its copiers and printers, but also digital signage with full content management services. The company also opened an IT division to offer customers full professional IT services. Within the last six months Sims added IP phone systems to its products and services mix.
• Community and partner recognition. Sims has received the Ricoh Performance Award, Best of Tempe award, the YMCA President’s Best of Arizona business award, and the Lanier Partnership Award/Southwest.
• A positive atmosphere for employees. Sims works hard to provide a positive atmosphere that rewards productivity and creative ideas. Everyone understands the other person’s responsibility, which fosters mutual respect. Sims provides various company functions such as bowling tournaments and monthly barbecues that include every department.
• Community giving. All Sims officers serve on various boards of local non-profits. The company runs fundraising campaigns for local organizations several times a year and matches up to 25 percent of what was raised.

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SolutionOne

Omaha, NE

www.solutiononenow.com

Year Founded: 1937

President/Owner: John Kuchta

Number of Employees: 35

Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Lexmark, Muratec, Kyocera

Primary Solutions Offerings: Virtual Works, Nuance, Pagescope, Scanfinity, Dispatcher Phoenix

Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, GreatAmerica

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Scanning applications using MFP software to process, route, and store documents using barcode technology

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: SolutionOne’s service and administrative team worked hard to increase the percentage of customers that use data collection agents (DCA) such as FMAudit and its own Auto Supply Management (ASM) system. FMAudit is running on about 60 percent of the current active equipment base. The percentage of toners shipped through ASM is at 60 percent vs. 50 percent a year ago.

Why We Consider SolutionOne Elite:

• Great service statistics. In 2016, SolutionOne has responded to requests for service in 1.99 hours on average and has performed service requests over the phone in less than 20 minutes on average. 34.3 percent of all service calls have been repaired and completed over the phone or through a remote network session, and 97 percent of all customer service respondents gave SolutionOne a positive rating.
• Formal account review process. SolutionOne account managers do reviews with customers every six months. A “blue sheet report” shows them how they use their equipment and how they can use it more efficiently. Account managers then go through that report with them and discuss if there are any technology upgrades that need to take place, if they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their office technology environment, and if there are any business applications, managed print, or managed IT services they may be interested in.
• Partner recognition. SolutionOne won the Konica Minolta Service Center Pro Tech award for the 12th year in a row.
• Commitment to employee growth and success. SolutionOne is committed to providing a challenging environment that recognizes achievement, provides an opportunity for personal and professional growth, rewards excellence, and establishes quality as the expected level of performance. The company offers full benefits, paid holiday and vacation time, and the option to be included in the company stakeholder program on day one of working for SolutionOne.
• Giving back to the community. SolutionOne’s Volunteer Time Off program gives each employee four hours of paid time off each month to volunteer at his or her choice of organization. The company also donates to many children’s charities and matches employee contributions to the United Way.

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Southwest Copy Systems, Inc.

Albuquerque, NM

www.southwestcopy.com

 

Year Founded: 1992

President/Owner: Michael and Dorothy Contois

Number of Employees: 32

Primary Vendors: Toshiba, Lexmark, Sharp, Samsung, Muratec, KIP

Primary Solutions Providers: ROI, PaperCut, Square 9, Lexmark Solutions, DATTO

Primary Leasing Partners: DLL, Wells Fargo, US Bank

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS (35 percent), A4 (30 percent)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: In a stagnant economy and an industry with severe competition, Southwest Copy increased market share and revenue growth by over 33 percent year-over-year.

Why We Consider Southwest Copy Systems Elite:

• Added value to MPS. The company bundles automated tools for free with its MPS offering to help resolve problems associated with fleet supplies management. Southwest Copy also conducts on-going business account reviews to ensure that clients are receiving the greatest value from its services.
• Customers who come back. A large Resort Hotel and Casino—a former client—awarded its new contract to Southwest Copy Systems, replacing a competitor. They did so because the competitor could not match the levels of service and efficiency that Southwest Copy offered.
• Partner recognition. Southwest Copy Systems has received the U.S. Bank Gold Partner Award, Toshiba’s ProMasters Service Award and Market Leadership Platinum award for the Western Region, and Sharp’s Platinum Provider award.
• Strong employee relationships. Southwest Copy Systems provides an open door policy with employees. It fosters strong relationships with employees while mentoring them with business decisions as well as personal endeavors.
• Charitable giving. Southwest makes donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, Catholic Charities of New Mexico, and the Child Cancer Fund.

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Stone’s Office Equipment

Richmond, VA

www.stonesoffice.com

Year Founded: 1970

President/Owner: Sam Stone

Number of Employees: 25

Primary Vendors: Sharp, Xerox, Lexmark, HP

Primary Solutions Offerings: PaperCut, InfoDynamics, Lexmark Solution Composer

Primary Leasing Partners: Great America, US Bank

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 to $10 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: MPS has seen double-digit growth year over year for the past five years

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Stone’s Office Equipment worked with CEO Juice, BEI Services, and Compass to improve its internal processes and, in turn, the customer experience.

Why We Consider Stone’s Office Equipment Elite:

• A customer first approach. Stone’s Office Equipment made a significant investment in improving its own operations so it could better serve its customers. It also surveys customers after every interaction to measure satisfaction.
• A methodical, efficient approach to MPS. Stone’s Office Equipment uses a database of old and new printer models to evaluate a client’s fleet during the walk-through process to determine which devices will need to be replaced and which devices should be moved around based on the volumes. This approach drives down costs for the customer.
• Success in a new vertical market. The company has secured a couple of large MPS accounts within the legal vertical market, building momentum and a strong reference base.
• Partner recognition. Stone’s Office Equipment has earned the Lexmark Outstanding Sales award, the Xerox Platinum Award of Excellence, and Sharp’s Hyakuman Kai Outstanding Sales and Platinum Service awards.
• Giving back to the community. Stone’s is a sponsor of the Jillian Fund and the Trooper Dermyer Fund. It also donates refurbished equipment to churches and other civic organizations.

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The Swenson Group (TSG)

Livermore, CA

www.theswensongroup.com

Year Founded: 1993

President/Owner: Dean Swenson

Number of Employees: 25

Primary Vendors: Konica Minolta, Muratec, Oki Data

Primary Solutions Offerings: Nuance CopyTrac and Equitrac, Square 9, Konica Minolta All Covered MNS

Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, GreatAmerica

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $8 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Managed Network Services (178 percent 2014 to 2015)

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: TSG grew its business by about 20 percent last year without adding headcount.

Why We Consider The Swenson Group Elite:

• A consultative sales approach. TSG does a deep dive into every customer’s business to understand its pain points, workflow challenges, and situations that are time robbers. The goal is to truly understand and solve the client’s problems.
• Consistent solicitation of customer feedback. TSG has had success with its Net Promoter Score customer surveying strategy. TSG surveys customers after every service call to learn the level of its client’s satisfaction in real time.
• Partner recognition. TSG has received Konica Minolta’s Dealer of Excellence, Pro-Tech Service, Top All Covered Dealer awards as well as the Great America Leasing Dealer of Distinction award.
  Strong company culture. As a family business TSG is passionate about its culture. To help maintain that culture, the company has developed a set of six core values: be accountable, be passionate, do the right thing, teamwork, client first, and solve problems.
• Giving back to the community. Non-profit organizations make up the largest segment of TSG’s client portfolio, and it sponsors/contributes to clients’ fundraisers like crab feeds, golf tournaments, and walk-a-thons. It also sits on local boards for public schools and non-profit clients.

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Vision Office Systems

Charlotte, NC

www.visionofficesystems.com
Year Founded: 1997

President/Owner: Fred Habbal

Number of Employees: 40

Primary Vendors: Canon, Muratec, Samsung, Lexmark, 3D Systems

Primary Solutions Providers: Square 9, Uniflow, PaperCut

Primary Leasing Partners: GreatAmerica, Leaf

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $5 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Vision Office Systems partnered with Lexmark to sell its full suite of printers and solutions, and over the last year printer sales are up about 200 percent over last year.

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Hiring new talent has allowed the company to assign sales reps to vertical markets and have them become experts in their particular vertical.

Why We Consider Vision Office Systems Elite:

• Ongoing customer interaction. Through CEO Juice, Vision Office Systems has conducted multiple surveys with its clients to solicit feedback on service and attitude toward the company. The company is also hiring a director of customer relations to be the face of the company in open regions/territories. This person will ensure that ongoing communication happens with customers, not just when a lease or contract is up.
• Successful promotions. Vision effectively uses giveaways such as LED TVs to encourage customers to buy extra machines.
  Industry and partner recognition. Vision has been named Best of Charlotte four years in a row. It has also won the Ricoh Prestige Service Excellence Award.
• A positive work environment. Management wants the company to feel like one big family, and employees to know it will help them succeed. The goal is for everyone to come to work excited, work hard, and take pride in the company’s success.
• Community support. Vision sponsors several events each year for the Lake Wylie Children’s Charity, which raises about $85,000 each year for pre-selected families in need. The company also supports a local food bank as well as a number of local outreach programs.

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Waltz Business Solutions

Crestview Hills, KY

www.waltzbusiness.com

 

Year Founded: 1892

President/Owner: Jeff Jehn

Number of Employees: 36

Primary Vendors: Kyocera, Xerox, Okidata, HP

Primary Solutions Offerings: Printfleet, SentryFile, Image Silo

Primary Leasing Partners: US Bank, Wells Fargo

Approximate Yearly Revenue: $6.7 million

Fastest Growing Business Segments: Kyocera MFP hardware (22 percent growth 2015/2016 and 14 percent the year before), document scanning and destruction

Biggest Accomplishment of the Past Year: Achieving a 10 percent revenue growth target while doubling profit target from last year and becoming debt free.

Why We Consider Waltz Business Solutions Elite:

• Methodical approach to improving service quality. Over the last 12 months, Waltz has tracked its response time and has achieved an average of just under two hours for on-site service calls. The company monitors 14 customer service KPIs on a weekly basis. When a service call is completed, a survey is automatically sent to the customer to learn how satisfied they are and what they could have done better.
• A highly competent help desk. Waltz’s help desk handles between 15 and 20 percent of all inbound service calls. It is staffed by a tenured customer service technician who can understand and diagnose problems and has the ability to fix some remotely.
• Successful move into Fortune 100 territory. Waltz secured a net new business sale with a Cincinnati-based pharmaceutical company for roughly $270,000. The company was persistent, calling them after not winning the previous contract and watching for opportunities to develop over a five-year period. Waltz won not only the Cincinnati location, but also another large location in North Carolina. Plus this client is going to implement the Kyocera product they sell and support in their European subsidiaries.
• Promoting employee engagement. The team members as family concept is deeply rooted at Waltz. Last year, it implemented a management structure for all sales groups to improve communication. Quarterly company meetings allow management to share how the company has been doing in all facets including revenue and profitability.
• Giving back to the community. Waltz has adopted a local charity called CareNet, which provides pregnancy counseling. It also sponsors Healthpoint, a Northern Kentucky based provider of primary health care, dental care, and OB/GYN for low income and indigent clients.