enx magazine

Sometimes, the job finds you. Rich Gore found his way into the supply business in 1995 after being bought out of his position in a copier dealership in 1986. Gore moved to Cape Cod, bought a boat, and planned to live the life of a Cape Codder. But the call of the copier business was more alluring than the tranquility of the sea. Before long, he was back at work, first for Sharp and then Xerox. Gore thrived in the atmosphere of toner dust and copier deals. But he missed the excitement of the entrepreneurial world.

Gore looked at the dealer environment and realized there was a need for a local broker who could buy and sell used copier equipment and supplies. Too many opposing dealers wouldn’t buy and sell their traded-in machines to each other; but they would all buy and sell them from their friend, Rich Gore.

As part of the inventory process, Gore checked each used machine before it was placed on his available-for-sale list. Sometimes the machines worked; sometimes they didn’t. In many cases, he found left over toner and developer in the machine stands. He realized dealers had surplus and overstock supplies to sell also. And, Gore found the ease and profitability of selling the supplies out weighed the frustration of dealing with 500-pound machines that might or might not work. So, he decided to change his focus from selling used equipment to selling surplus and overstock supplies.

In 1995, he established Multi-Brands. Gore had found his niche. The dealer community had a reliable source from which to buy and sell a multitude of office supplies. By 2003, the warehouse in Cape Cod was no longer large enough to handle Multi-Brands’ ever-increasing inventory of products.

Gore was ready to make his big move. He sold his Cape Cod facility and moved 100 miles north to Ipswich, Mass. Always the entrepreneur, Gore invested in a 26,000-square-foot building. Multi-Brands was indeed committed to becoming the leader in the industry of buying and selling surplus and overstock supplies.

At the new location, Gore found employees committed to a customer-first philosophy--his buying staff includes Bill Feeney, David Doane, Mark O’Flynn, and Debbie Young.

“Our constant goal is customer satisfaction,” states general manager Joe LoPresti. “If our purchasing agents can find it, [those of us] in marketing can usually find a buyer. We have been very creative in finding quality products to sell to our clients. I can’t give away all of our secrets, but our buyers are always looking for new avenues to explore.”

LoPresti emphasizes the dedication of Multi-Brands’ employees. “Multi-Brands doesn’t require our buyers to work 24/7, but recently Mark O’Flynn, our director of purchasing, proved his constant commitment to his job. While out walking his dog, Tucker, on a Saturday morning, Mark came across an abandoned copier [put out for] trash pickup. Tucker began sniffing the cabinet. Mark gave a tug on the leash and told him to keep walking. Tucker sat down next to the cabinet door and gave a little whine. Mark decided to investigate Tucker’s concern. Mark opened the copier’s cabinet. Inside were two bottles of brand new toner. Mark smiled broadly, gave Tucker a pat on the head, and saved the two bottles of toner from being thrown in the Ipswich landfill.” The toner was soon put into the inventory.

One of the ways Multi-Brands is able to maximize the value of being both a buyer and a seller of products is through their excellent inventory control and effective use of their 26,000-square-foot warehouse. “There aren’t many products that we don’t handle. Same-day shipping is a norm for us,” says LoPresti. “Multi-Brands’ ability to get products in and out quickly gives us a leading edge in the industry. Our clients appreciate our no-nonsense mentality. Additionally, we often have the hard-to-find, exotic product that other wholesalers won’t normally stock. Our goal is for the dealer to always contact Multi-Brands first for any product.

"We sell to other resellers. We don’t always have every product for every customer, but when we do, the price advantage is significant, we tell people to check with us first,” adds LoPresti. “The inventory changes daily. We are more than just a surplus supply broker that takes orders. We are a company of professionals who are experts on imaging supplies. Our sales team partners with our clients to maximize their profit opportunities. Whether we are buying or selling, no transaction is complete until you, the buyer (and ultimate reseller), are completely satisfied. Our number one goal is to earn the right to do business with your company. We are in the unique position to be able to buy from and sell to our clients.

“Something most people don’t know about us is that we also sell a complete line of compatible generic toners,” LoPresi comments. “Priced for the cost-conscious, cost-per-copy dealers, we have had tremendous success with this outstanding line of supplies. Our generic toners are available for older equipment right up to today’s newest digital equipment. It’s a product line most people don’t expect from us. But when we tell them it is available and then they hear the price, we usually have a customer for life.”

LoPresti continues, “Potential buyers can easily sign up online for automatic inventory updates. Let our buyers know what products you, the dealer, need on an ongoing basis. Whenever we receive new inventory that meets your buying needs, you will be automatically contacted via e-mail or telephone. Just ask for Tony or Joe in sales.”

Multi-Brands offers a credit application online. Also, instant availability and price quotes are just a click away on www.multibrandsinc.com. Multi-Brands is known for buying products that haven’t been quoted by other surplus buyers. The marketing staff has buying agreements with agents from all over the world. Just because a product box is damaged, stained, or has a broken seal doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for that seemingly unsellable product. When in doubt, give Multi-Brands a call, or fax or e-mail them with the specific details.

It all starts with good buying and selling relationships. That is Multi-Brands’ strength. And that strength has made it the leader in the industry. The company’s employees aim to please and want to make it easy for people to do business with them. From start to finish, Multi-Brands wants its customers to be with the company for the long haul and vice versa.

Multi-Brands’ Company Motto

Keep Learning

Keep Growing

Keep Getting Better

Whether you are looking to buy or sell supplies, Team Multi-Brands is here to help!

Fax us a list of your surplus and overstock supplies, and you too will become one of our very satisfied long-term customers that has made Multi-Brands #1 in the industry and # 1 in customer satisfaction.

Multi-Brands Inc.

44 Mitchell Road

Ipswich, MA 01938

Phone: 978/412-9502

Fax: 978/412-9960

E-mail: info@multi-brands.com

On the Web:www.multi-brandsinc.com

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