Inspired Beginnings
Our founders, Vince and Michele McHenry, didn’t set out to be entrepreneurs.
More so, entrepreneurship found them.
In the late 1980s, Vince had discovered that he could save money for his employer at the time by refilling toner cartridges and reusing them rather than sourcing new cartridges from vendors that weren’t always dependable. Vince was refilling cartridges for the company he worked for, and soon, on the side, he was refilling cartridges for other local companies, as well.
Recognizing that he was onto something, Vince and his wife Michele, started “Laser Lab” in 1991. They initially worked out of their home’s basement to fulfill the need they had recognized within the local business community.
Growth and Expansion
They soon discovered that in addition to refilling cartridges, an opportunity existed to help customers who struggled with finding reliable and affordable printer repair services. So, Vince got the training needed to help customers when their printers broke down or experienced performance issues.
Laser Lab also began selling printers and both refurbished and new toner and ink cartridges, becoming a full-service company determined to provide convenience and alleviate stress for customers.
The business began to outgrow its basement environment, and, in 1997, the McHenrys moved Laser Lab to 1438 W Main Street, Ephrata (which remains our location today).
In the mid 2000’s the industry began to change and Vince and Michele were on the cutting edge introducing managed print services to their customers taking the stress out of managing their print environment with automatic delivery and proactive solutions. Spring of 2016 brought more change and opportunity when our company acquired the Lancaster-based business, Laser Plus. The acquisition added more employees, expanded our customer base, and extended our service area.
All the while, Laser Lab continued to focus on providing stellar customer service, high-quality products, and speedy delivery and repairs.
No Customer Need Left Behind
As Laser Lab’s printer sales increased, a new customer need emerged.
Often, customers would need assistance setting up their printers and integrating them with their IT network.
We recognized small and medium-sized businesses lacked the IT staff to handle IT on their own. And since they already trusted Laser Lab for their print services and products, it seemed a natural fit for us to provide IT support, service, and management to prevent the stress of trying to find a knowledgeable and trustworthy vendor.
Two Things That Have Not Changed: Focus on the Customer and Commitment to the Community
Although Laser Lab has grown and changed over the years, our commitment to serving our customers with the best quality and service has been—and always will be—our top priority.
We also strive to make a positive impact on our community and neighborhoods. Besides serving our customers, Laser Lab has been an energetic presence in the local community for nearly 30 years, supporting civic, educational, and sports organizations. Some of them include Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary, Northern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Ephrata Track & Field, Ephrata Community Health Foundation Board, and Women’s Business Enterprise Council.
That’s our backstory, and we’re looking forward to continuing to serve all of your printer and IT support services needs in the future ahead!