ACM Technologies, Inc. Succeeding Together! With four distribution centers across the United States, ACM Technologies, Inc. has been working together with the independent dealer channel and imaging supply resellers since 1989. Recently, ENX visited with ACM founder and President Stan Lin, Executive Vice President Ben Lin, and Marketing Manager Julie Kim at ACM’s 100,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters and distribution center in Corona, California. How has the economic downturn affected ACM? Ben Lin: Despite the economic downturn, ACM is actually experiencing its third straight year of double digit growth. We have accomplished this by greatly expanding our product offering and by continuing to improve our service and support to our resellers. ACM now carries the widest assortment of compatible/remanufactured ink and toner cartridges in the industry. Our extensive aftermarket products now cover a wide array of laser printers, copiers, fax machines, ribbon printers, and wide format machines. In addition to our supply offering, ACM is the exclusive Konica Minolta Authorized Distributor in the U.S., and the largest Authorized Distributor for Copystar and Toshiba. As an extension of the OEM, ACM provides resellers access to the latest equipment and supplies, technical training, hotline support, equipment certification, all without any quota requirements. By combining the best of OEM products and aftermarket supplies, we provide our resellers a one-stop shop for all their needs, saving them valuable time and resources. Finally, I would say that the primary driver for our growth is actually our network of loyal resellers. Many of our resellers have managed to find success despite the economy by staying flexible, taking on new product lines, introducing new MPS offerings, and staying innovative. We owe all our successes these past years to their continued perseverance and loyalty. How is ACM keeping up with the technological changes within our industry? Ben Lin: ACM has invested over $2.5 million in software and technology solutions to enhance our services to our customers. Our investment in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has enabled us to directly connect to our customer’s ERP systems, which has streamlined efficiencies and lowered our operational cost, while improving our delivery time. Through EDI, customers can directly submit POs into our system, check real-time price and availability, track packages, and download invoices. We also implemented a new barcoding system last year, which has improved our inventory control, receiving, and order accuracy. The efficiency of our system allows us to fulfill and ship 98% of our orders the same day it is received. For customers without EDI capabilities of their own, we also provide direct integration through our software partners: Digital Gateway, eStoreware and Red Cheetah. Through these partners, customers can directly access our ordering and inventory systems. Finally, we provide a way for our customers to access our system directly through the myACMTECH.com website. This is a secured eCommerce site where customers can place orders, check price and inventory, view order history, and download tracking numbers and invoices. What is new at ACM? Stan Lin: We are very excited about launching our new branded product line, EcoPlus Premium Toner and Inkjet Cartridges. In addition to ACM’s extensive offerings of genuine OEM and premium compatible/ remanufactured products, ACM is now offering our own exclusive branded ecology sensitive EcoPlus line. Our initial launch will cover the most popular laser cartridge and inkjet products. Why did ACM decide to introduce the green EcoPlus branded product line? Stan Lin: This is part of my long retirement plan. The wholesale toner business and the United States have been very good to my family and me. It is time to give back to our clients, and to the planet. I truly want the EcoPlus brand of supplies to help make the earth more sustainable, one laser cartridge and one inkjet at a time. ACM is also committed to donating a portion of proceeds from every EcoPlus product to charities that are committed to making the earth a better place to live. How is the EcoPlus product different? Ben Lin: EcoPlus will offer 100% remanufactured products in our earth friendly predominantly green and white box. Users will immediately notice that EcoPlus products are packaged in the smallest volume boxes in the industry. This is accomplished through custom designed air-filled bags that protect the cartridge while reducing the space within the box. These airbags are also recyclable and re-useable. EcoPlus brand offers ACM’s resellers and users the availability of a quality branded remanufactured product, at an extremely competitive price. Its smaller packaging footprint requires less room to store and helps contribute to the sustainability of the earth. End users will appreciate the ecologically friendly commitments printed directly on the box and will know when they purchase this product, they have contributed to our social responsibility in restoring our environment and enriching our society. ACM hopes to focus the user’s attention on the four areas of worldwide need: environment, education, poverty and healthcare. For more information on new EcoPlus products visit www.ecoplus.com . The EcoPlus box design is unique. How was it created? Julie Kim: A great deal of thought and discussion went into this final design. It tells the story of ACM’s ecological and humanitarian goals. At the same time, it is a very high quality and professional design that will instantly generate goodwill and confidence with the customer. The EcoPlus packaging graphics and logo were created by ACM’s own in-house graphic team, with input from many people within the organization. The values of the EcoPlus brand are printed in 4 languages and a 4 color insignia explains ACM’s commitment to charitable support. The insignia design symbolizes that those who sell and use the EcoPlus product are contributors and our partners in making a positive impact on our society and the earth. The four core values of the EcoPlus brand are: • Transforming Recyclable Materials into Quality Products • “Being Green” does not mean “Paying More” • Reducing Waste by Recycling Protects our Planet • Social Responsibility through Charity and Service What new customer benefits has ACM added? Ben Lin: ACM has recently become an IBPI Buying Group vendor (www.ibpi.net) and has joined the BTA Market Place (www.bta.org), the EcoChamber and the Green Business Bureau. ACM will be a sponsor and exhibitor at the BTA Western Regional Conference at Caesar’s Place in Las Vegas November 17-18. We invite our resellers, dealers and other BTA members to visit our table and see our newly released EcoPlus packaging and products. Pick up a copy of our 2011 Resellers Handbook featuring 1000’s of ACMs product offerings, including our new line of ribbon and wide-format inks. The ACM buyer Loyalty Program continues to add new awards. Loyalty points are earned on OEM equipment purchases and once the customer accumulates enough points, they can redeem it for top selling electronics including iPads, laptop computers and flat screen TVs. Other prize options, such as gas and gift cards, are also redeemable with your ACM Loyalty Points. ACM’s Loyalty Program has been continuously growing domestically and internationally. Keep a look out for our expanding program! How is customer service handled at ACM? Ben Lin: ACM has a one-of-a-kind program in which we provide 3-Tiered Customer Service Support. Each ACM reseller has 3 staff members that are dedicated to each account. This includes their Account Executive, Customer Service Representative and ACM Manager. Each is responsible for the well being of every one of their clients by being familiar with all of ACM programs and products and the customer’s business needs. This redundancy of account knowledge and personalized familiarity assures each interaction will be efficiently completed. It is an extension of our 6 Wins Philosophy. Explain ACM’s 6 Wins. Stan Lin: 6 Wins is a simple way to explain our business philosophy. Everything ACM does must be mutually advantageous to all entities of our company, community and the world at large. It extends the Win-Win theory to include everything we do as a company must benefit our: • Customers • Vendors • Employees • End users • Environment • Social Responsibility ACM’s EcoPlus is an excellent example of fulfilling our 6 Wins Philosophy. Each EcoPlus product sold provides environmental regeneration, ecological protection and social responsibility. It sustains a higher vision that each of us can help the planet. By focusing on what is right for everyone, ACM Technologies becomes a better company. Our goal is to be the leader in protecting our planet by transforming recyclable materials into quality products and giving back to the community through charity and service. Contact ACM Technologies, Inc. Corp. Headquarters USA & Western region Distribution 2535 Research Drive, Corona, CA 92882-7607 Phone: (951) 738-9898 or (800) 722-7745 E-mail: askacm@acmtech.com www.acmtech.com Midwest Region - Aurora, IL Phone: (800) 782-7554 Northeast Region - South Hadley, MA Phone: (800) 345-639 Southern Region - Houston, TX Phone: (800) 468-6001