Alpha Laser Richmond Corp: Celebrating 25 Years of Membership
By Danielle Wiseman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Alpha Laser Richmond Corp., also known as Alpha Laser, is a comprehensive technology repair and office supply company, providing both services and products from a single storefront on the south shore of Staten Island. Alpha Laser sells over 4,000 ready-to-ship imaging products throughout the store and online, including laser toner and inkjet cartridges, in addition to offering customers repair service for printers, fax machines, computers, and digital networks.
Robert Regina, owner of Alpha Laser, first started the company in response to the new, but growing, cartridge remanufacturing industry. “When I opened the business back in 1993, the cartridge remanufacturing industry was still in its infancy; it was brand new, and it was only just beginning to bud,” reminisces Regina. “I was a technician at the time, so I decided to switch my focus and start a cartridge remanufacturing company.”
A remanufactured cartridge is a name-brand ink or toner cartridge that has been emptied, cleaned, and refilled with a similar quality ink or toner. Cartridge remanufacturing was established in the United States in the late 1980s to provide users with a more cost-effective option for their printing needs. The industry took off just years after its inception, as more and more businesses realized that remanufactured cartridges were significantly cheaper than their original counterparts.
Regina quickly found his niche in cartridge remanufacturing, becoming a staple for both businesses and individuals across Staten Island. With over ten years of experience as a computer technician, Regina was well-equipped to advise clients on any number of their computer needs, especially printing. While Alpha Laser primarily began as a cartridge remanufacturer, Regina also offered a printer repair service to accompany the products.
Alpha Laser comes from humble beginnings and has grown immensely since Regina opened in 1993. “I actually started the company out of my garage because I didn’t need a large space to begin with, and I wanted to see if I would succeed before spending money on a space,” says Regina. “We eventually outgrew my garage, so we moved into a storefront on Main Street, and about seven years ago, we finally made the move to Arthur Kill, our forever home.”
As technology has developed, Alpha Laser has developed alongside it. Following the cartridge remanufacturing boom in the early 1990s, cartridge remanufacturers based in the United States began outsourcing products from China, where cartridges were being mass-produced. Like many other remanufacturers, Regina saw that the industry was becoming obsolete for small businesses, so he decided to pivot. “It was cheaper for me to outsource cartridges than to remanufacture them,” states Regina. “We switched our focus to services and supplies, offering mainly office equipment services and supplies, like printer and fax repair and toner, ink, and printer paper.”
This year, Alpha Laser is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Regina first joined the Chamber in 1998 to get involved in the Staten Island business community. “The person who taught me how to do cartridge remanufacturing, who lived in Florida, told me to get involved with my local Chamber of Commerce because it would help boost my business presence,” adds Regina. “As soon as I could afford it, I joined the Chamber. It was one of the first and best business decisions I ever made.”
Though constantly inundated with clients, Regina tries to attend as many Chamber events as possible, ensuring that he stays involved with the community in which he built his company. Regina is a big advocate of the Chamber’s mixers, as he cites that they’re a great way to meet other members and make connections.
“The Chamber has given me a ton of valuable information over the years,” says Regina. “I actually came to the Chamber for advice before I started Alpha Laser, and they pointed me in the right direction to help get me on my feet. I’m forever grateful.”
Congratulations to Alpha Laser on 25 successful years with the Chamber!
