Steve Weedon
Cartridge World’s Global CEO, Steve Weedon, says that he began pursuing a career in emerging industries after a four-year electrical engineering apprenticeship. He was living in the United Kingdom at the time, and he notes that by the early 1970s Xerox patents on xerography were fast running out and many Japanese companies were preparing new technologies to enter the copier business. “I joined Nashua Copycat who had a range of zinc oxide-coated paper machines and who had partnered with Ricoh to launch their first plain paper copier,” he recalls. “These analogue-based machines were full of cams and switches and were only ever as good as the engineer fixing them. Nashua’s progress was slow and another German-backed OEM, Kalle Infotec, approached me to join them in their technical operations unit.”
He adds wryly: “I have never figured out if I was in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the wrong time, but I enjoyed the rapid rise of Kalle Infotec over a 10-year period.”
For the last 30 years, the majority of Weedon’s positions have involved extensive global travel. He says it might seem glamorous, but it really isn’t. “I’m usually collected by taxi in the early hours to head for the Charlotte airport to a connecting flight and then usually a long haul flight for 12 hours or more,” he says. “It’s good reading and thinking time. Some of my best decisions were made thinking things through on long haul flights.”
He adds: “The Static Control acquisition idea is a good example. But airlines don’t get any better. Delays have become part of the norm, security lines keep getting longer, and the jet lag never gets any easier to overcome when you get back.”
When he actually does manage to spend time in the office, Weedon’s days include catching up with his colleagues via video conferencing. He says this begins around 8 a.m. with his Asian colleagues, and then moves to Europe, the USA and culminates with Australia. He notes that the latter is 14 and a half hours ahead, so as they start their new day, he closes his with a glass of cabernet sauvignon. “There are calls and emails in between and a review of the daily reports and metrics,” he adds. “‘Did I make something happen today?’ is usually my last thought on closing the office door. Sometimes I smile because I did and sometimes I kick myself, cursing that I had to do better tomorrow.”
Weedon’s self-critical nature is evident when discussing personal salutations as well. When asked what it felt like to be recognized by his peers as an ENX Magazine Difference Maker, he replied that it was a tough question to answer because he never really thought about it before. He maintains that he does not come to work every day expecting to win accolades or awards. “I am far more interested in developing the brand and building success one inch at a time, but when accolades or recognition come along, then I grab hold with both hands and accept with some humility remembering that I alone could not have achieved that much,” he says. “It’s the people you surround yourself with, the talent, the passion, and the relentless drive to always improve. I have had some great people around me over the years. So my feelings to be offered peer recognition as a Difference Maker, is one of pride and humility, mixed.”
As for colleagues who made a difference in his professional life, Weedon gives credit to Sedge Thomas, the Director of Technology at Kalle Infotec, who saw something in him and took him under his wing.
“When you are young and starting out and are in that unconscious incompetent stage we all need someone to put us on the right path,” he says. “He was a great mentor and I will always be grateful for that.” Weedon also credits Ed Swartz, the late owner of Static Control Components. “He was a larger than life figure-head of Static Control who never suffered fools very easily, but who had the passion to succeed like no one else I have met,” he says. “I learned a great deal from him over 18 years. Sadly, both are no longer with us.”
When the subject turns to the best advice he ever received, Weedon’s self-deprecating humor is on full display. He recalls that many years ago, he was asked to give a keynote speech at the Diamond conference, where he was introduced as an expert. “I puffed out my chest, maybe a bit too much, gave an OK speech and as I was stepping down from the podium to generous applause, an older guy got up from his chair to shake my hand, saying, ‘Steve, you do know what an ‘expert’ is don’t ya?’ I had a blank look on my face, and he said, ‘An ex is a has-been, and a spurt is a drip under pressure.’ To me his words spoke volumes and I have always since tried not to get too big for my britches.”
2016 has been a busy year for Weedon, traveling the globe to meet as many Cartridge World franchisees as he can. He explains that these are small business owners who grapple with the changing technologies and industry dynamics every day. “Somewhat lost and disillusioned and demoralized, the global Cartridge World franchise network needed leadership to explain the vision, new direction and new initiatives like PrintWorld,” he says. “They also needed to see the new branded, higher quality products landed to their door at far lower costs, in order for them to become more profitable. I am happy to say that now we have an energized franchise network ready to expand and attract new franchise investors. This has been a major accomplishment in 2016.”
Weedon maintains that the work must continue through 2017. He says that there is always room for improvement, but notes that the focus will be the launch of PrintWorld™ mobile printing stations in free Wi-Fi locations. “This concept will attract mobile workers who need and want mobile printing and scanning convenience,” he explains. “PrintWorld™ will be placed in coffee shops, airports, shopping malls, hotels, exhibition centers, restaurants, Regus offices, libraries, and many other similar sites.”
Reflecting on the state of the aftermarket supplies market, Weedon notes that there used to be OEMs and what were called pirates. He recalls that the aftermarket was once referred to as “opportunistic pirates” or parasites that fed off the OEM’s installed MIF base. “Aftermarket parts and supplies, provided first by Katun Corp and then many others, opened up chances for copier dealers to make more profits,” he points out. “Single-line OEM dealers quickly became dual OEM dealers to offset the pressure and inter-dependence. Cost per copy programs, three months in advance lease terms, and minimum billing became the norm. Analogue machines needed copier engineers and the “out of service” signs placed on top of the copier became the butt of office jokes.”
Weedon also notes that when the financial crisis of 2008-2009 hit, boardrooms began emphasizing cost savings over expansion. MPS was an answer for many companies and OEMs reacted quickly to protect their machine base from MPS predators. “OEMs needed the pirates for all-in-one cartridges to support MPS contracted machines that were not their own,” he says. “Pirates became big pirates. OEMs split to survive and prosper. Lexmark agreed to sell to a “pirate” who is now legitimate, successful, global, and stock market listed. HP took out Samsung’s print division. More pirates went public and were ready to make acquisitions.”
Adds Weedon: “The demarcation lines between OEM and aftermarket has now faded as it melds into one huge industry. Hard copy print is here to stay. The technology used will continue to change and will continue to present challenges to the industry. OEMs always underestimate the talent and the investment dollars that aftermarket companies have. It’s a mistake. The future means more change and more challenges but it is full of opportunity.”
As busy as he is, Weedon still manages to find time for the favorite person in his life. “Date nights out with my beautiful wife to a good restaurant with good wine is the best,” He says. Then he adds: “To relax, I paint in oils. They’re not that good but my wife says she likes them, hangs them up for a while and then they disappear into the attic. I pretend not to notice and chuckle inside.”
