Difference Maker Spotlight: Buyers Lab’s Pete Emory

Pete Emory of Buyers Lab

Pete Emory of Buyers Lab

Pete Emory, director of research and lab services, US/Asia at Buyers Laboratory LLC, recalls that his 11-year-old daughter once said to him, “Smile, Daddy. Always be happy and take it easy. Yes, this be okay.”

“That is the best advice I ever got,” he says. “I’m trying to live by it.”

Emory began his career as a service technician, working on Sharp equipment. He says that he was always an electronics buff and keen to learn how things worked. Ultimately, those two interests evolved into a passion to explore the mechanics of how devices function, and that passion has propelled him to over 28 years in the industry.

“From the early years of chain-driven systems with moving platens and document feeding systems that had to move sheets countless times to today’s devices with app support and online features that sync with our life,” he says. “I have seen amazing growth in this industry and can’t wait to see what’s next and to be a part of it.”
As expected, Emory spends a good deal of time out in the field. He travels regularly to Asia and throughout the USA to visit OEMs and to see firsthand the new and innovative products they are developing. He says he gets feedback on developing test methodology and discusses opportunities to collaborate on product development through custom testing. He also attends industry events and trade shows. “I have a fantastic team in the lab,” he adds. “They keep everything running like clockwork and keep me abreast of all developments on the products we are testing.”

Emory says that is was a major honor to be recognized by his peers as an ENX Magazine Difference Maker. He proudly notes that there was a buzz that went from the lab in New Jersey all the way to the Wokingham UK/EU lab. “All of my colleagues across the globe at BLI and InfoTrends were so supportive that it’s humbling really,” he says. “As I previously mentioned, I have a tremendous team. I could not accomplish anything without my colleagues.”

Asked about those who have made a difference in his professional career, Emory replies that he is lucky to have been able to work with so many brilliant people in the industry. He says he tries to learn something from everyone he deals with, and he’s made friendships with colleagues that he values highly. “I appreciate all of the advice and friendship I have been offered,” he says. “Gerry Stoia, my CEO, has been a terrific mentor in my current role. I stepped out of my lab and out of my comfort zone last year and Gerry has been invaluable in helping me shape the direction I am taking to meet and exceed my goals.”

Emory elaborates on the recent merger between Buyers Lab (BLI) and InfoTrends and points out that BLI has settled into a new location with a state-of-the-art laboratory. He says they have begun integrating the services and products offered by the two companies while maintaining the unique and valuable individual approaches that each offers. “This kind of undertaking always comes with some restructuring of the teams and I feel we really hit our stride and are working together to remain vital and relevant in the industry,” he says. “I am proud to be on this team. In the coming year we hope to expand our production testing programs and also to establish an industry standard in 3D printer testing in addition to continuing to offer the services that OEMs, dealers and buyers rely on from our independent testing lab.”

Unquestionably, these are interesting times for the office technology industry. Emory notes that technology is changing rapidly and the industry is working overtime to keep up. He explains that buyers are looking for economical, energy-efficient, environmentally-conscious products that are easy to use, intuitive and secure. “We know that there have been a lot of changes over the last ten years with mergers, purchases and consolidations,” he adds. “Many of the industry big guys still exist because they stay on top of the needs of the end user. There is a lot of parity with products and somehow a vendor has to find a way to stand out from the pack. I think a major area for growth and development lies with the players that are developing solutions that answer the office technology needs within vertical markets. There are a lot of exciting developments in solutions.”

Emory cites the privilege of working with so many top-flight vendors’ products as what he most enjoys about his job. Although he cannot discuss in specific detail, he says that while handling many of the custom or private tests, they uncover issues that help get them resolved before a product hits the market. “This is so rewarding,” he says. “When I think about the improvements that my tests have implemented and how those changes touch many of the products that people use today it’s a great feeling to know that I was a part of that.”

He continues: “I often give lab tours to OEM execs, marketing people and engineers. I love when the engineers come in. We always have great conversations. One time, a few years back I was giving a tour to a group I had in for the day to review custom test results. As a general question they asked me what I would like to see a machine do if it was totally up to me. I already knew; I described in detail what my wish list would be. They blew my mind months later when they made a machine with those capabilities and invited me to see it. That was pretty cool.”

Although he clearly displays a passion for working with the “toys” in the lab, Emory cites his family as what is most important to him. He and his wife currently have five kids, including three six-foot-two-inch sons and two adopted daughters from China. “They run the show,” he says. “My daughter Zoey was adopted in 2015 at the age of four. In 2014, while we were in the process of adopting Zoey we met a 9-year-old girl that had no file for adoption. We fought for two years advocating to get an adoption file made for her. My wife and I adopted her this past August. My daughters stole my heart. They are amazing, resilient little girls. So, now we have three boys and two girls.”

Emory adds: “I like everything balanced. Consequently, we have a third daughter that we will bring home in the next year. She is from the same orphanage as my daughters and we have been quietly advocating for her for the last two years as well. Our girls can’t wait to have her home so they can all be together again. My boys are so super supportive of their sisters, the girls each have special needs and their big brothers are great with them. This is my life and I love it!”

About the Author
Todd Turner is a contributing editor of ENX magazine. Todd has a background in marketing and a nearly 20-year history in the imaging industry. He can be reached at todd@enxmag.com