A better location gives a company that refurbishes office equipment room to grow.
LEWISTON – In one bay of Affordable Office Resources’ new facility, a truck backs up to the dock and workers unload components of old work stations. Metal cabinets, fabric-covered panels and hard plastic shelving units are unloaded and stacked in the company’s warehouse.
In less than two weeks, the same components will be unrecognizable. They will be stripped, repaired, repainted, resurfaced, reupholstered and shipped out to new owners, looking brand new.
“Our motto is ‘used as new’ versus ‘used as is,'” said Rick Swasey, general manager.
Affordable Office Resources has been in the business of refurbishing and selling used office systems for three years. It was founded in 1999 by PowerTel Marketing, an Auburn-based investment group. But two months ago, the business was sold to Craig Hunziker and Dave Savidge, Portland-area entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity for the business to grow. They hired Swasey to make that happen.
“I’d like to see a 100 percent increase in sales the first year,” said Swasey. “I think that’s doable.”
The first step was finding a new building. The company had been located in the Pepperell Mill on Lisbon Street, but having a manufacturing and warehouse facility on two floors was awkward. Swasey consulted with the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, which recommended the L&A Molding building on Westminster Road.
Although 18,000 square feet smaller than the mill space, the new building gives Affordable Office Resources lots more efficiency. At the front of the building are offices for the sales staff and designers, who help clients customize their space. After assessing what work stations and office systems are needed, the designers offer clients fabric samples and paint swatches to choose a palette.
Once an order is placed, workers begin to manufacture the components. Long rows of double-stacked racks hold hundreds of furniture parts. Components are selected, then refurbished depending on the need. Metal parts are repainted, work surfaces get new veneers and laminates, wall panels are stripped and covered in new fabric. Hardware and mechanical parts are repaired or replaced.
Once all the components are ready, the order is delivered, assembled and installed. Affordable Office Resources even removes the old furniture if the client wants.
The cost for buying refurbished rather than new can be considerable. Swasey estimates most clients save around 20 percent, but it’s much greater if the client is ordering high-end refurbished equipment.
In one example, he had a client interested in Herman Miller work stations that sell for $3,000 new versus the $1,200 at Affordable Office Resources. And the company has the ability to manufacture its own components, which allows it to “clone” nearly any office system available on the market.
“It’s a relatively new industry, but a lot of people are doing it,” said Swasey. Nationally, the refurbished office furniture industry reports about $3 billion in sales.
He said he’s counting on the quality of the workmanship and the service at Affordable Office Resources to set the company apart from its competitors.
“It’s all about quality, service and cost for our clients,” said Swasey. “Everybody’s on a tight budget. But we provide a well-made, environmentally friendly product for a good price.”
A marketing promotion this winter will help get the word out about Affordable Office Resources. Swasey said they are planning to attend trade shows and other venues where they can interact directly with customers rather than distributors.
Swasey and the owners are so optimistic about the future of the company they are looking for retail and showroom space in Auburn. They like the area – Swasey said he was very impressed with the help he got from the LAEGC when he was scouting out a new facility. And he’s found the business community in general to be upbeat and welcoming.
“Just look at the chamber breakfast. There were more than 200 people there … at 7:15 in the morning,” he said. “You can feel their excitement.”
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