Johnathan Garlow, CEO of Ford Office Technologies, Selected for 2021 Smart 50 Awards
PITTSBURGH, PA (September 27, 2021) — On November 18, 2021, Johnathan Garlow of Ford Business Machines, formerly Ford Office Technologies, will be recognized as one of the Smart 50 Award Nominees for 2021.
As President of Ford Office Technologies since 2010, Johnathan took over as CEO in February of 2018. Johnathan’s insight into the growing industry has led to many additions to our company’s solution portfolio. The addition of a network operations center that serves as the hub for our IT services, new state-of-the-art document management software, as well as an internal marketing division, allow Ford to offer services that are unavailable from the majority of the competition. His vision and drive have led to the acquisition of additional businesses, including two this year, making Ford the largest independent multi-line dealer of copier, printer, and MFP technology in western Pennsylvania.
Ford Office Technologies is at the top of the office technology forum in western Pennsylvania and has excelled during this time of uncertainty by flexing their business model. At his direction, they have incorporated work-from-home office solutions and expanded their managed IT services to support their clients’ changing needs. These solutions have enabled Ford’s clients the ability to change their work environments seamlessly and securely.
As a result of Ford’s shift, and in spite of a pandemic, Ford finished 2020 with a significant revenue increase overall, notably in their managed IT services. The growth of this solution is solidifying Ford as a trusted leader in the managed IT field.
Ford Office Technologies and our leaders continue to take an active role in the community. Many members of the team sit on the board of multiple local non-profits and are active supporters of the Challenge Program, which supports positive behavior at the high school level through business-education partnerships. Ford also supports their non-profit clients through sponsorships and participation in fundraising events, and this year donated $500 to a non-profit of the clients’ choice for every new or renewed contract signed during the month of April.
With the institution of a 10-year plan, Johnathan has established and shared the long-term and short-term goals for the company. These goals keep us united in our mission which is “Helping businesses thrive by delivering cutting-edge office technology, solutions, and unparalleled customer experiences.” And our mission keeps us focused on what is important day-to-day. These goals, values, events, news, and celebrations are communicated monthly through an internal newsletter, and big picture updates are communicated to the team quarterly via a state-of-the-union address. This open communication unites the team and keeps us focused on the big picture.
This year we also initiated our Get Fordified employee engagement program. It utilizes teambuilding “challenges” that encourage interaction and incorporate fun into the workplace. This program supplements our Employee of the Month/Year program, and birthday/anniversary celebrations to create a family environment and allow for interaction with those individuals who are at our branch locations. Everything that has been put into place is designed specifically for sustainability and community and Ford Office Technologies’ future success.
More information on the Smart 50 award can be found at https://www.sbnonline.com/events/smart50pit/
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ABOUT FORD OFFICE TECHNOLOGIES
Ford Office Technologies is a family-owned and operated office technology company with multiple locations throughout western Pennsylvania, serving clients in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. They are the largest independent provider of office equipment and managed services in the area and provide complete office technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.
