by Andy Slawetsky, president, Industry Analysts Inc.

Hurricane Helene left much of Asheville, North Carolina. in devastation, and while many businesses struggle to recover, BTA member Advanced Business Equipment (ABE) has stepped up in a big way. Led by President and CEO Kevin Jackson, ABE is now serving as a distribution center, helping its community by gathering and distributing essential supplies.

A recent call I had with Jackson revealed that it could take four to six weeks for water to be restored to the region, maybe longer. In the meantime, ABE and others are working tirelessly to secure resources. Urgent needs include chainsaws, chains and large water containers, among other things.

Jackson, a member of the Select Dealer Group (SDG), shared the challenges facing his company and employees in an email circulated among the SDG community. According to Richard Van Dyke of Advanced Office, Jackson's team is grappling with a lack of water, displaced employees and the financial uncertainty that comes with a severely impacted customer base.

A handful of dealers on a recent Teams call with Jackson learned that while donations and supplies are already on the way, there is still much to be done. He expressed concern about his employees, keeping them safe and paying them long term, as many customers affected by the storm may not be able to make payments for some time. Without financial support, ABE faces the real possibility of losing employees and, ultimately, the company itself.

Companies like Distribution Management, Hytec, Mars, ARCOA and many others in that email chain have already contributed to ABE's payroll fund, and Zeno Office Solutions has issued a challenge, pledging $1,000 for every $5,000 committed by their peer office technology dealers. Many other dealers on that email list have already contributed to this fund.

As Jackson works around the clock to keep his business and community afloat, the situation on the ground is dire. He's spending his days delivering generators and helping employees access communication tools like Starlink, while many of his employees are still without power or WiFi at home. The scale of devastation' is overwhelming — Jackson described the scene as something out of a disaster movie, with bodies still being pulled from the river and homes washed away.

Despite the grim reality, the camaraderie and generosity from office technology dealers and industry partners have been inspiring. As Jackson shared the details of ABE's situation, Chris Wolowitz of Shore Business Solutions was driving a truck full of supplies overnight from New Jersey, 12 hours away. Konica Minolta, one of ABE's partners, has also sent a truckload of water and other essential items.

The office technology industry is rallying around ABE and Asheville, but more help is needed.

To contribute to ABE's relief efforts, please visit the BTA link below:

Donate here

In times like these, it's heartening to see the industry come together to support one of its own, and ABE's dedication to its employees and community is truly commendable. For those of you who have already contributed, we thank you. For those of you who haven't yet, please consider a donation to this fund.

We will continue to update you on this situation as it unfolds.