Image 2000, after growing its print services company into one which harnesses hardware and software technology solutions, is relocating to Santa Clarita from Van Nuysand hopes to be open by May 1. First launched in 1992, the privately owned firm now grosses $30 million annually.
“We wanted more warehouse space than we could get in Van Nuys, which lacked quality warehouse space for a reasonable price,” said CEO Joe Blatchford. “And there’s a better quality of life in Santa Clarita.”
The firm is moving into 22,500 square feet of space, up from 17,000 square feet, on the corner of Avenue Stanford and Huntington Lane. The added space provides the company with warehouse space for its inventory of copier/printer/scanner/fax machines as well as space to house the 60-70 employees who work out of the local office.
In total, the company has 120 employees; however, it plans to hire another 20-30 employees, mostly from Santa Clarita, after it relocates, according to Blatchford. Among the institutional clients Image 2000 serves is Cedars-Sinai and Children’s Hospitals. Locally, the firm also supports Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, College of the Canyons and the Saugus Union School District.
While Image 2000 provides all of the equipment, the supplies and labor for maintenance, more importantly, it creates connectors to clients’ own in-house workflow pathways. To that end, the firm sources equipment with open architecture – as opposed to proprietary software – so that clients can take advantage of their technology to meet their own needs.
Before the company could locate to Santa Clarita, however, the firm first needed a little help finding the right spot. To do that, they researched the area and found the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.
“They’ve been very beneficial in helping us to relocate. When James (Brown) came out to see us, the timing was perfect,” said Blatchford. “And Todd Lorber and Craig Peters (CBRE commercial real estate brokerage) were both instrumental in helping us come out here.”
“We knew the brokers,” said Jim Brown, SCVEDC Business Attraction Manager. “They asked us to meet with Joe and his controller down there (Van Nuys). They were also looking in the San Fernando Valley. We talked about what we can do for them in terms of permitting and fees.”
Blatchford also said a few of their employees already live in Santa Clarita, where he has been a resident since 1989. “We want people to be excited about coming to work and living here. And once they see the community, I think they will,” he said. “We expect a lot of employees will end up moving out here.”
Copyright: Santa Clarita Valley Business Journal