Jeff Macumber, co-founder and President of Mac Laser Technologies, attributes his recent success to his education and experience in the industry. After achieving a degree in Business Management, Jeff began working for a company retailing consumables. Jeff explained, "I spent eight years managing retail stores in three states. I soon became the production and operations manager for a re-manufacturing company in the North East." After many years of working for someone else, Jeff decided to move back to his Homestead in Upstate New York to start his own company with his wife. Jeff noted, "When my wife and I started the business, we were it, the sales, the production, and customer service. We also provided tech-support to all of our customers.’’ Noemi Macumber, Jeff’s wife and partner, who had an education in Business Administration and Accounting, partnered with Jeff bringing her knowledge and expertise in to the combination.

MLT (Mac Laser Technologies Inc.) believes in being as debt free as possible. Jeff elaborated, "Our belief is continuing to be debt free but we do take steps to accommodate for growth. With this in mind we are currently in our 5^th location. Two years ago we moved into our 7,000 square feet production facility. This location has room for expansion with 14,000 square feet in cold and heated storage."

Currently MLT produces over 90 different types of compatible cartridges for laser printers, faxes, copiers and multi-function machines. "We also manufacture rebuilt fusers for HP laser printers," added Jeff.

"The products are sold to customers in the Eastern Region and Mid-West Region of the United States. Our company also offers service to a 50 mile radius from our home base in Oneonta, NY."

Along with a full array of quality products, MLT also offers other benefits to their customers. Jeff explained, "I think that our quality control standards, the pride that our employees put into producing MLT products, and the desire our customer service representatives have to serve our customers, make us an effective company. It never ceases to amaze me to see a competitor’s dirty cartridge right out of the box." Jeff went on," You can tell there is no pride in the production of their product. We have set standards for our products and each cartridge is tested and inspected by Quality Control Specialists. We know our customers’ needs and try to cater to them in their product presentation. We offer our customers private labeling so their name appears on the product as well as on the box."

Jeff added, "This is done for our larger customers and those that have met our guidelines to a healthy customer-vendor relationship."

MLT focuses on the small to large remanufactures that are interested in outsourcing their production. There is also a large focus on office equipment, consumable supply and service companies as well as some retail chains throughout the US. Last year their annual sales were over two million dollars and they are estimated to be over that by the end this year. "Our growth rate has been steady and obtainable," said Jeff. "Our business philosophy is different than most. We have seen the results from other companies who have grown too fast too soon. These results concern me." Jeff continued, "We are not about putting a product out on the market with a higher than acceptable defect rate. We typically will sell up to our production level and then add more employees to insure proper training." "This may slow our ability to grow, however, it ensures that we do not sacrifice quality. We believe in steady growth allowing the company to maintain a reputable name, rather than growth for the sake of the numbers, which might only last for a short season." Mac Laser Technologies uses trade publications, trade shows along with direct sales efforts. But their best marketing has been word of mouth. "Word of mouth through customers that have been with us through the years has proved to be our best marketing thus far."

MLT’s pricing strategy will continue to remain as competitive as possible. Jeff added, "We refuse to be among those that cut their margins so tight that they have to cut corners in the production standards. This always results in putting out a sub-standard product."

When asked where he saw the industry going, Jeff answered, "I can see a continued trend toward outsourcing the products instead of manufacturing them in smaller production facilities. New cartridge designs by HP and other OEM’s make the manufacturing of the product more labor intensive and involves specialized toolings that are expensive. Another issue causing this trend is the wide spread use of chips within toner cartridges. HP’s new printer line included chips within all their toner cartridges. Another OEM printer manufacturer has put killer chips in their cartridges to stifle competition. The cost of producing them in house without having the volume of sales to justify the cost is making it less feasible to maintain the production in smaller settings. This has made it more difficult for small entrepreneurs to remain producing compatible cartridges. . The people who lose, with the introduction of these chips in the cartridges are the consumer, since they are paying more for the compatible cartridges than they could have potentially paid by using companies like us."

"We are proud to say that MLT has received an ‘Excellence in Small Business Award’ presented by the Small Business Administration in New York." Jeff stated. "We have also been appointed by the Chairman and Executive Committee to the Presidential Business Commission in recognition of extraordinary leadership and input in moving the President’s initiative forward and promoting a pro business agenda in Washington.

MLT is heading towards the research of future technology. They are implementing new measures with necessary equipment and tooling to provide new technology. They are also committing to the production of qualitative new compatible cartridges in this new emerging technology industry, along with striving for growth in all areas of the industry. With a consistency in product quality and a focus on competitive pricing, MLT will be a major contender in the years to come. To inquire on the many products and services Mac laser Technologies Inc., has to offer, please contact Jeff Macumber or Noemi Macumber at Mac Laser Technologies Inc. 800-525-3594, 118 Winney Hill Road, Oneonta, NY 13820