Black Enterprise Profile: Beth Williams

Julius Walls Jr. Carrying on her father’s legacy has led Beth Williams to the helm of a multi-million dollar business, which is committed to serving its community and caring for the environment.

Ms. Williams is president and CEO of Roxbury Technology Corporation, in Boston, MA. The company sells re-manufactured toner cartridges to businesses around the United States.

Her father, Archie Williams, started the company in 1994, however his unexpected death in 2002 resulted in Ms. Williams assuming the role of President of Roxbury Technology in January 2003.

Part of Archie’s plan for the Roxbury Technology was to make a difference while making a profit. “His vision was to develop businesses that created jobs and opportunities for the under utilized talent within the minority community,” says Ms. Williams. “To facilitate this, he planned to open a manufacturing plant to create economic development in the inner-city.”

Ms. William’s commitment to the business and her late father’s vision will be honored with a ‘Passing of the Torch’ award, which will be presented to her by the Enterprise Center of Philadelphia, in October this year.

Under her stewardship, Roxbury built the manufacturing plant in 2004, which began with total production at 100,000 cartridges. Today, the company turns over nearly 11.5 million dollars a year and employs over seventy-five people.

A strategic partnership with Staples helped to fuel this growth and continues to assist Roxbury achieve deeper penetration into the ten billion dollar After-Market (re-used technology hardware) industry.

“Part of our growth strategy is to collaborate with larger companies to come up with solutions to the problems rapidly increasing technology creates — like how to dispose of out-of-date hardware and imaging equipment, otherwise known as E-Waste, without damaging our environment and creating more landfill,” says Ms. Williams.

As well as participating with the Responsible Business Association, Ms. Williams is chair of the YMCA Board in Boston, which supports local youth programs, especially ones that are targeted to teenagers. In October this year, Ms Williams will be honored with the Leading Women’s Award by the Girl Scouts, for her continued support in their Career Zone program, which helps girls age 13-17 focus on their education and stay on track for successful futures. “It’s so important to work with our youth — in Boston especially, where violence in inner-city communities is worsening,” she says.

Roxbury Technology employs a diverse staff, most of who live in the Roxbury and Jamaica Heights area where the company is located.

“Our focus is on creating a sustainable business that supports our local community and promotes American-made products that are recycled, affordable, and come with a level of customer service that our competitors can’t match,” says Ms. Williams. “We celebrated our twelfth year in business last spring, and as we continue to grow, we hope to always match an environmentally and socially sound business model with our clients’ needs — it’s a good fit.”