July 14, 2003
Stacey Higginbotham
Austin Business Journal
Staff
Several new contracts,
including one with Dell Computer Corp., will lead a computer recycling company
to add space and jobs here.
After signing a deal with
Dell, Los Angeles-based Image Microsystems Inc. is looking to expand by up to
100 jobs and 100,000 square feet of warehouse space over the next year.
The expansion is a result of
several successful client wins, with Dell being the most recent, says Rocky
Bullock, president of Image
Microsystems. Dell signed a
contract with Image Microsystems and
Dallas-based Resources Concepts
Inc. to recycle old Dell consumer systems. Other clients include
Hewlett-Packard Co. and CompUSA Inc.
As the largest personal
computer manufacturer and seller in the world, Dell shipped out 6 million PCs
worldwide in the first quarter of 2003. However, computer recycling has only recently
become a big issue for Dell's consumer customers. Based on data from Dell's Web
site, which offers consumers the option to recycle or donate a used computer,
few have chosen either option.
Bryant Hilton, a Dell
spokesman, says 900 people recycled or donated their computers in May 2003, up
from 300 this January.
"It's not a large
portion of our business, but it is a growing portion," Hilton says. "We
know we are going in the right direction."
When it comes to the
contract with Image Microsystems, Hilton says it will take about a month to phase
in. Some things, like the address where the Web orders are shipped, will change
within the next 30 days. Others, like a program that allows a consumer to
return an old printer for recycling when they buy a new printer, will take a little
longer, because the address labels have already been printed and sent to
consumers.
As more consumers lean
toward recycling, Image Microsystems has an opportunity to take advantage of
its concern for the environment. That's one of the reasons Alex Hajakbari, CEO
and chairman of Image Microsystems says he hired Bullock.
Bullock was named president
of the company in June after consulting with Image Microsystems. As a former
Dell executive, Bullock has used his connection with the firm to help his
previous employer, Austin-based TechSolve Inc., where he was previously the
chief operations officer.
"His background and
expertise in this industry are great and he is helping me take this company to
the next level," Hajakbari says.
If Image Microsystems' plans
for growth go through, the company will have grown from 100 employees
nationwide with 40 in Austin to hiring more than 100 locally and more than 100
in Nashville, where the company is also seeking 100,000 square feet in the next
30 to 60 days.
Bullock says he is looking
for a wide range of employees from process engineers to salespeople and manufacturing
operations experts. The employees will be added on an as-needed basis, but he
says, "I said we are looking for more than 100 people but it could be hundreds
of people if our business warrants it."
Bullock says the firm's
physical space expansion will be incremental based upon the firm's space needs.
Bullock says ideally he will be able to lease additional space in increments of
10,000 to 20,000 square feet.
Currently, Image
Microsystems is in 80,000 square feet at 8101 Wall St. in the Walnut Creek
Business Park. Bullock says he is looking all over town and the possibility to
expand at his current location is available.
Initially, Image Microsystems
is looking for 30,000 square feet says
Russell Todd, an associate
with Hill Partners Inc.'s corporate services division and Image Microsystems'
broker.
Finding that space and
getting a good deal should not be a challenge says Frank Niendorff, president
of Austin's NAI Commercial Industrial Properties Co.
"The activity is
increasing. I am not saying it's turning around but there is a lot more
optimism in the business community right now," Niendorff says. "We
are not seeing companies expanding into Austin from the outside so much as we
are seeing companies within
Austin moving around."
Email STACEY HIGGINBOTHAM at
(shigginbotham@bizjournals.com).