John Lowery, President of Applied Imaging with six offices in Michigan, has been named the 2012 Michigan Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Founded by Lowery in 1987 and now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Applied Imaging is an independently-owned provider of document imaging and managed information technology services.
In a congratulatory letter to Lowery, SBA Administrator Karen Mills wrote, “Your hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to your community have helped you succeed. The SBA is pleased to recognize our achievements and your role in driving our nation’s economic growth.” Mills also invited Lowery to attend and receive his award in Washington D.C. on May 21 during National Small Business Week and be a “part of a distinguished group of entrepreneurs from across the nation.”
“On behalf of the entire team at Applied Imaging, I’m very honored to receive this award from the Small Business administration,” Lowery said. “As an agency and resource, it has recognized the vital economic role of small business, a sector Applied Imaging has partnered with these past 25 years. Small and mid-size businesses will be key to Michigan’s future and its ongoing turnaround.”
With offices in Grand Rapids, Metro Detroit, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Big Rapids and Muskegon, Applied Imaging has grown to over 130 employees with revenues totaling over $26 million—a 50% increase in three years— from over 7500 clients. It sells and services a full range of products from Ricoh, Océ, Canon, Kyocera, OnBase, HP and Lexmark. As testimony to its commitment to the state, Applied Imaging introduced a “Keep It in the Mitt” mantra for the company, sharpening its focus, products and services on the Michigan business environment. “We believe in Michigan because our state is committed to re-engineering its economy with its talented workforce,” Lowery said.
Elaine Van Dyke, Marketing Coordinator for Dan Vos Construction in Grand Rapids, said this about being an Applied Imaging customer: “People we used to do business with kept getting gobbled up by bigger companies. The key to our relationship with Applied Imaging is that they’re local. They’re responsive.”
Lowery and Applied Imaging are no strangers to awards ceremonies. Last May, Applied Imaging was selected as one of “Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch for 2011,” sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Representing all regions of the state and a diverse range of industries, winners were selected by Michigan-based judges from the banking, economic and entrepreneurship development and venture capital communities.
Also last year, Applied Imaging was selected as a 2011 Elite Dealer Award by This Week in Imaging, an online information and news publication for resellers of imaging technology. With key considerations for performance, positive work environment and involvement with the community, it annually honors the best and the brightest in the imaging technology dealer network.
Indicative of its commitment to the community, Applied Imaging launched a Focus on Community initiative in January as part of its year-long 25th anniversary celebration. The project will donate 2500 volunteer hours by Applied Imaging employees to local Michigan charities and non-profits in 2012. Such organizations as the Boy Scouts, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Kids Food Basket, HELP Pregnancy Aid and others are being impacted.
John Lowery will receive his prestigious SBA award in Lansing on May 3 and again in Washington D.C on May 21.