Hartford Business Journal

BC18 Hartford Business Journal • June 9, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com BuSINESS ChAmPIONS 2014 winner: INNOvATION (TIE) Act GrouP celebrates 40 years of industry growth John A. Lahtinen B usiness is hot, as in white hot, at Cromwell document management provider ACT Group. And that's just how owners Greg and Cindi Gondek like it. "We are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year and we have never been so busy," says Greg Gondek, the company's president. "We have several projects going on in [various divisions] right now and it's challenging to keep them all on track and moving forward. Each one of our groups is booked typically three or even four weeks out so the last thing you will ever see is moss growing in our office." Founded as Northeast Copy in 1974, the Gondeks pur- chased the company in 1999. Originally the firm covered Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, but in 2000 the Gondeks reduced their geographic footprint to Connecticut and lower western Mas- sachusetts to improve customer service and response times. The move paid off: Service call response times have been whittled down to under three hours. Just recently, the Gondeks rebranded the company—former- ly known as Advanced Copy Technologies —to the ACT Group, to better represent the firm's five, diverse divisions that provide services including office equipment, 3D equipment and service, managed print services/asset management, document solutions and customer support. Of all the business moves ACT Group has made over the past year or so, Greg Gondek says rebranding was the "biggest and scariest." "We offer so much more value than anyone else with our unique programs and perspective that it was something we knew we just had to do," he said. Perhaps the biggest innovation and area of excitement for the company is its 3D equipment and services business, Greg Gondek said. ACT Group's decision to get into this growing space about three years ago has opened the door to new rev- enue streams and new clients in the aerospace, engineering and architecture industries. Greg Gondek says the company's 3D division — offering 3D products, software, materials and scanning services — is one of their key growth areas, contributing expertise in addi- tive manufacturing that helps clients understand the different processes involved in 3D printing. Although most are covered by non-disclosure agreements, Gondek said ACT Group's 3D client list continues to grow. The company also sponsors UConn Engineering school's 160-member 3D club. "We say 'if you can imagine it you can make it,' and that reality will change the way a lot of things are done in our world," he says. "The most gratifying thing we've done is move into a 'let's build a legacy' mind set." As principal and chief financial officer, Cindi Gondek has led the drive for innovation while overseeing the com- pany's expansion and making sure all decisions are finan- cially prudent. She is also passionate about ACT Group's involvement in the community, which includes a partner- ship with the New Britain Rock Cats. The company is also a gold sponsor of the Middlesex United Way. "We share our paying it forward outlook as we are fortu- nate in so many ways," Cindi Gondek says. "We bring a great mix of corporate sensibilities combined with a common sense approach that can be overshadowed by corporate politics and positioning that doesn't exist here. "It allows us to continue building something special and unique that is always evolving and looking for ways to improve," she added. The Gondeks say ACT Group's innovative culture is shared in every corner of the company. "We see it in each one of our five divisions," Cindi Gondek says. "It really all boils down to our people. Sometimes we sit back in wonder at how energized they are when they come up with a good idea. It reminds me of when we were kids and building that big snow castle after a blizzard. Everything is a clean slate and you can do whatever you want as long as you work together on it." ★ At A GlAnce Act Group Address: 20 Commerce Drive, Cromwell Web: www.goactgroup.com Leadership: Cindi Gondek, principal and CFO; Greg Gondek, president Work: Provider of customizable document management, including equipment, service and support. Year founded: 1999 ACT Group co-founders Greg and Cindi Gondek are known for their innovative leadership, which was reflected in their decision a few years ago to get into the 3D equipment space. Their most recent innovation was rebranding from Advanced Copy Technologies to ACT Group, a name that better reflects the company's diverse product and service offerings.

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