11 CONNECTS WITH SMALL BUSINESS: Cartridge World

Larry and Debbie England own and operate Cartridge World in the Tri-Cities. They remanufacture ink and toner cartridges for consumers and businesses and they offer they’re products for 30 or 40 percent less.
“Coming here saves them money number one on their printer, consumables, but it also gives them a chance to be environmentally friendly, that they not only recycle, but they reuse the cartridges,“ England said.
The England’s opened their first store in Johnson City five years ago and now have additional locations in Kingsport and in Bristol. Cartridge World is unique because they remanufacture all of there products on site.
“We take the ink cartridges and actually clean these and refill them and test them, again to OEM specifications, all the cartridges are tested,“ said England.
The process is catching on, business increased in 2008 and is up again this year. Cartridge World has also been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“We were notified that we were one of the top 56 businesses across the country to receive their blue ribbon award, very excited to do that. Our employees are a huge part of our success, so for them to share in this award was great too,“ England said.
Business is so good that the England’s are making plans to open a Cartridge World in Greeneville, Tennessee.