enx magazine
Phone: 1-818-550-7547 Toll Free: 1-800-850-4949 Fax: 1-818-550-7527
The #1 Sourcing Publication in the Document Imaging Industry
Business Profile: Paramount Imaging
Knows Sharp Machines
By Jamie Hamilton
“We are located in Southern California ,” says Suzi Clark, Paramount Imaging’s director of wholesale. “However, through discount programs and expedited deliveries offered by our shipping carriers, we are able to compete coast to coast.”
The company sold over 3,000 Sharp machines in 2004 and has been an authorized Sharp dealer/distributor since 1981. In that time, Paramount Imaging has delved into retail as well as wholesale markets, honing their skills to help dealers compete in a fast-paced—and sometimes cut-throat—industry.
Today, they are still a Sharp boutique, selling Sharp new, used and refurbished copiers, printers and fax machines as well as Sharp OEM consumable supplies.
Sharp Products and More
Sharp, while most of the business, is not all that Paramount Imaging sells. They also offer a large parts inventory for Ricoh, Sharp, Toshiba and Mita. All in all, Paramount houses over $2 million in machines and over $4 million in supplies at any given time inside their new 60,000 sq.- ft. facility.
Paramount ’s large parts inventory helps dealers service the end-user in a timely manner. “It is our job to make the servicing dealer look good,” says Dan Delgadillo, sales representative.
“Our customers are Authorized Dealers and Independent Dealers who demand more out of their distributor than just price,” adds Brad Cronkhite, sales manager. “They see the value and commitment in Paramount Imaging’s extended one-year warranty and our support before and after the sale. We realize our customers have a choice of whom they do business with. That is why we are committed to go out of our way to simplify the process and develop long-term relationships.”
He went on to say specifically what dealers would gain by doing business with Paramount Imaging.
“Most distributors are about the same price on machines, but few actually can support them after the sale,” he says. “We have over $1 million in parts inventory. We also offer technical support on all machines purchased from Paramount Imaging. And we sell OEM supplies at generic prices. We realize that machines break from time to time—and that is why every new machine purchased from Paramount Imaging now includes a free one-year warranty. We are extending the Sharp warranty from 90 days to one full year.”
Also, Paramount Imaging is known for their technical training seminars. Over 500 people have attended Paramount ’s technical training classes to learn how to service Sharp machines. The classes are taught by a Sharp authorized trainer and include a full set of manuals, complete set of technical bulletins, current software upgrades, and a certificate of completion. Helping their customers gain experience and the industry know-how to further their business is one of Paramount Imaging’s main priorities.
Unusual Beginnings
While Paramount is a well-established Sharp dealer/distributor now, what’s unusual is what founder Jay T. Moffet was doing before he went into the copier business.
Before starting Paramount , Moffet was a member of The Sportsmen Quartet, a notable barbershop quartet that was featured on The Jack Benny Show on CBS. Moffet was in the group from 1957-1965, and then left music to sell real estate in Victorville, Calif.
During his stint in real estate, Moffet noticed the poor service and ridiculous pricing for copier supplies. He became so outraged at these practices that he started Paramount Imaging in 1977. He founded the company on the principles of great customer service and fair prices.
He and his son, Mike, began building a local retail business through the real estate connections Moffet had made. Quickly, Moffet realized the advantages of aligning himself with a manufacturer, and by 1981 was a Sharp Authorized Dealership. By then he had added two more sons on board, Kelly and Tom.
Starting with father and sons, today Paramount Imaging has over 30 employees and a 60,000 sq. ft. facility. A few key fixtures on contacts on Paramount ’s team are:
Suzi Clark, Director of Wholesale: An industry vet since 1976, Clark has worn many hats since beginning her career as a field technician at Xerox in the Los Angeles area.
Brad Cronkhite, Sales Manager: In the industry since 1989, Cronkhite has a diverse background in all aspects of sales. He is also actively involved in the marketing and advertising department.
Robert Duchess, Sales Manager: Working in the industry for over 25 years, Duchess specializes in used and refurbished equipment. He is well respected in the industry for his knowledge and experience.
Future of Growth
With knowledge and experience comes growth, and that’s what Paramount plans to keep doing—on average, at about15% per year. However, with the introduction of new product lines that are coming out soon, they expect 2006 to see a 25% growth rate for Paramount .
Over the years, Paramount Imaging has received many accolades: Largest Supplier of the Year, from Sharp; Entrepreneur of the Year, from Inc. Magazine; and Office Dealer Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year, to name a few.
"It’s our employees’ dedication and letters of thanks from our customers that mean the most,” Duchess says. “It’s our small-company attitude, fair pricing, shared knowledge and our attention to every issue, no matter how small, that has allowed us to grow year after year."
Quick Contact:
Paramount Imaging:
800-745-7676
www.copierweb.com
by Jamie Hamilton— in addition to writing business profiles in ENX, Jamie writes and designs ads, brochures, catalogs, newsletters, and technical manuals for companies in the imaging industry. She can be contacted at: Tel/ Fax 502-896-1051 or e-mail her at: jamiewriter@hotmail.com.
Profile Archive Issues
Free Tech Tips All Articles are also in word document Printable Versions - PRINT40,000 COPIES MAILED OUT EACH MONTH * FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO IMAGING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS * COMPANY & BUSINESS PROFILE MONTHLY FEATURES