Brenda von Teuber founded the company in 1988 and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer. At that time the company’s focus was manufacturing printer ribbons. In 1989 PPISI purchased the assets of Compu-Rite Corporation, a competing manufacturer located in Chatsworth, California. "Soon after we purchased their assets, we moved our company to Simi Valley, California, where we remain today in a 28,000 square foot facility." said Anthony von Teuber, PPISI Vice President. (Anthony von Teuber has been a recognized industry leader in compatible imaging supplies since 1975.) Anthony continued, "In 1989 we employed approximately 125 people but because of the liberal workers compensation policies in California, we chose to move our manufacturing overseas. Subsequently, the majority of the manufacturing and assembly is now done with joint partnerships in China and Mexico, respectively." Because of their international relationships, PPISI was able to reduce their manufacturing force from 125 people down to 15. Anthony added, "We have increased revenues dramatically while downsizing which gives us the ability to pass the savings on to our customers."

In 1994 PPISI purchased Compu-Imaging, a dot matrix ribbon manufacturer in Miami, Florida. This was a key move for PPISI as it enabled them to focus on export markets, particularly South America. They also added to their product line. They no longer offered just printer ribbons, they now included a wider range of quality items such as POS (Point of Sale), matrix printers, empty cassettes, partially assembled cassettes, inkjets, ink rolls, lasers and toners. Anthony stated, "If PPISI does not have the compatible item you are looking for, we can locate it with an assurance that it is from a pre-qualified vendor. And all of our items carry a six month warranty against manufacturing defects. We have evolved our company into a one-source supplier, carrying an entire spectrum of imaging supplies. "

In 1998, PPISI hired Arnold Friedman as a consultant to the company. As one of the founding fathers of Future Graphics, Arnold brings over 30 years of expertise in the industry and has assisted the growth of PPISI. Arnold still serves as a full time consultant today. Anthony noted, "We also have other key individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of our company. Paul Reiser, currently serving as General Manager and David Hernandez, Head of Purchasing. Between the five of us, we bring over one hundred years of imaging supply experience to the business."

Although PPISI targets both retail and wholesale, they have taken a major emphasis on the wholesale market." We are reaching the wholesale markets through advertising like ENX, and we will be adding three or more sales people for the purpose of focusing on building the wholesale division," said Anthony. They currently employ 23 sales and customer service professionals working closely with each account to ensure customer satisfaction. In addition to the their customers within the United States, they are increasing their distribution to locations in Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. And with the assistance of their sister company Compu-Imaging in Miami, they are also able to focus heavily on developing new customers in the South American Market. With over 20,000 accounts worldwide, PPISI processes approximately four thousand orders a month.

Asked what makes your company different, Anthony explained, "We are different in the fact that we are vertically integrated. We’ve consolidated our company into a smaller nucleus here in the US. The majority of our manufacturing is done in China, with either Chinese or US made parts, some of which are assembled in Mexico. This helps reduce our costs to our customers." Anthony elaborated, "We continue to focus on wholesale, retail and OEM markets worldwide. Also, our Company imposes a no minimum order. We will fill every order we can and ensure that we have the product or we will locate it for our customer." When asked about retention, Anthony added, "We have retained approximately 75% of our original customers since the very beginning of the company."

And when asked where the industry is going, Anthony replied, " It has been consolidating quite a bit. Printer ribbons are becoming a dying market. There are beginning to be fewer companies like ours with a full range of products. We are taking over markets where we can better direct our efforts, namely toward the laser and inkjets."

As for future plans for PPISI, Anthony answered "We feel that this next year will bring a significant growth for us in South America. We will also greatly increase a wider range of sales through the dealer market both nationally and internationally. We are also specializing in a new product for VA hospitals, thermal ribbon bands that go on patients. We make both the band and the thermal that goes with it." Anthony also noted, "We are currently planning the construction of our new facility. This complex will be in excess of 60,000 square feet."

Focused on driving down costs to benefit the customer without sacrificing product quality and customer service, PPISI prides itself in providing a one-stop shop for Imaging supplies. If you would like more information on the many products and services PPISI has to offer please contact their sales professionals who will be happy to assist you.