In order to keep pace with the rapid expansion of the ink jet industry, R-Jet Tek recently built a new 12,000-square-foot plant to house research and development, manufacturing and administration. The facility will be equipped with a new computer system and computer telephony.
According to President Steve Johnson, R-Jet Tek has always been cautiously optimistic with its sales and growth forecasts and capital expenditures. "We never wanted overhead to preclude us from product research and development," Johnson said. "Therefore, we leased manufacturing and administrative space. However, with climbing lease rates, we elected to build a new facility. Now we have the space and infrastructure to keep ahead of the growth."
The state-of-the-art facility features halogen lighting, aromatic air conditioning, natural skylights, an exercise room and a full kitchen. "We also allocated a area where we can offer customer training on our Fluidix equipment and ink jet cartridge processing," Johnson said. "Perhaps the most important aspect of the move is we will be able to improve the service we offer to our customers."
In addition, R-Jet Tek has welcomed Mike Warner to the company as part owner, vice president of sales and general manager.
Warner left JetEx, a distributor of R-Jet Tek products, to accept his new position. "This move will allow me to focus on sales and marketing of all the equipment and supplies manufactured by and available from R-Jet Tek. And, it will allow Steve Johnson, president of R-Jet Tek, to devote most of his time and creative energy to new product development."
Mike entered the office consumables business in 1992 when he bought Ribbons Plus from the Johnson family. He renamed the company JetEx and built annual sales up to nearly $1 million. Prior to JetEx, Mike served as the president of a national sports museum in Colorado Springs and spent 15 years in executive management posts in the airline industry.
"I wanted Mike to be a part owner in my business because I'm confident he possesses the management and marketing skills necessary to take R-Jet Tek to the next level," Steve Johnson said.
R-Jet Tek manufactures and sells the Fluidix line of ink jet cartridge processing equipment and supplies as well as a line of compatible cartridges.