1. How have market needs and demands changed over the past 35 years and how has Static Control (SCC) responded? 

To be continuously successful, you must adapt your business over time to meet the needs of your customers. Static Control has a proven history of embracing this concept. We started by selling static shielding bags, and through the connections and relationships we made with our customers from the imaging industry, our representatives learned what other products would be helpful to our customers. In response, we opened the imaging division and continually released new products based on their needs and the evolving technologies of the industry. Every step of the way, we listened to our customers. Years ago, our customers asked for cartridges that delivered a higher level of performance than that which was currently available at the time. We evolved to meet their needs and now we are the only full-range supplier of both components and premium cartridges. We continue to have ongoing conversations with our customers to see what their businesses need to succeed.

2. What are SCC’s key initiatives for 2022?

This year we have focused a lot on what we call the W series, which are the cartridges and component solutions used in the latest HP and Canon printers. We expect demand for this line of products to grow for years to come because the printer placement is high. We are always bringing modern technologies and lines of products to our customers based on their needs and requests. For instance, we have added more products to our copier/A3 line of products including some replacement Canon and Ricoh cartridges. Additionally, we have also updated our e-commerce platform to make it easier for our customers to order online or submit a help request.

3. To what extent is SCC committed to remanufactured products and where might there be growth opportunity for this range of products?

We have a deep commitment to supporting remanufacturers globally. We feel remanufacturing is having a renaissance in Europe and emerging markets. Components have been the foundation of our company since the beginning, and we will continue to offer the best toners, chips, drums, blades and parts to the market. We are continually developing new system solutions. Our own remanufactured cartridges use the very same components we develop and sell. We offer a true one-stop solution for customers, so when they want to remanufacture the cartridge themselves, they have access to the same components. If they want to have the ease of buying an already remanufactured cartridge without having to find a core or learning how to disassemble and reassemble, we provide a premium, remanufactured solution. This way we offer our customers choices to decide what mix works best for their businesses.

4. In what ways was Ninestar’s acquisition of the SCC an opportunity for growth?

Becoming a part of the Ninestar group led to increased production in our manufacturing facilities. It has also led to collaboration in research and development between our organizations, which has helped increase the speed to market for new products.

5. What areas of research and development is SCC currently engaged in and how does this contribute to the strengthening of the global aftermarket?

Research and development of the latest solutions is key for strengthening the aftermarket. Offering an alternative to the OEM that delivers optimal performance is one way that our customers can win new business. Our toner and component engineers are leading the way to develop the best components and at the same time, using that knowledge to provide the best cartridges in the industry. There is no other aftermarket supplier that approaches the cartridge like we do. We understand the electrophotographic process and the synchronicity between all the interior components that provide a premium level of printing performance. It is how the OEMs create their own new products, and it is how we do too.