When the family-owned calculator company where Bob Smith worked for over 25 years was sold to a large corporation, he quickly sensed a shift in leadership philosophy—and not for the better. Determined to build something rooted in shared values, he decided to start his own business alongside family members whose principles aligned with his own.
Mr. Smith, who passed away on Sept. 6 at the age of 90, founded Copiers Plus in 1985. Over the next four decades, the Fayetteville, North Carolina-based dealership remained steadfast in its commitment to serving customers with honesty, integrity and an unwavering dedication to their satisfaction.
“Our slogan was born: the PLUS stands for service,” Mr. Smith once wrote on the company’s website. “To accomplish this, we knew we would have to surround ourselves with employees who shared our dedication to the cause. That’s why I’ve always believed a committed employee is the most valuable asset a company can have. Through our passionate and loyal team, we will always be there for our customers.”
Born on Jan. 10, 1935, in Benson, North Carolina, Mr. Smith met his future wife, Jackie, in his hometown. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1959 and joined Monroe Systems for Business later that year. At the age of 50, he left Monroe and, with very little capital, launched Copiers Plus, growing it into a thriving enterprise with nearly $10 million in annual revenue, offering equipment from Kyocera and Canon. He served as the company’s president and CEO.
Mr. Smith’s care for customers and employees extended to the communities served by Copiers Plus. Earlier this year, in partnership with Kyocera, the company commemorated its 40th anniversary by donating $500 to each of 40 organizations across North Carolina.
Drew Smith, his grandson and the company’s director of communications, remarked at the time, “There is no better way to celebrate 40 years of serving North Carolina than by supporting these organizations that give so much to their communities every single day—with the key ingredient my grandfather instilled in our company: CARE.”
In addition to Jackie, Mr. Smith is survived by four children, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Sept. 13 in Hope Mills, North Carolina.
