At Datamax, growth has never been about simply getting bigger. It’s about getting better — by aligning with people and partners who share our purpose, our passion for service, and our belief that relationships come first.

Over the past several months, conversations across Fort Smith, Russellville, and Little Rock have centered around that word: alignment. From day one, both teams understood that this partnership wasn’t about changing a name on the door. It was about uniting two organizations with the same deeply rooted values — a genuine commitment to customers and a belief that people are the heartbeat of every success story.

Growth With Meaning

Datamax President Barry Simon often describes the company’s approach to growth as purposeful. Expansion, for Datamax, has always been about adding value rather than accumulating size. The Growth Plus (+) philosophy begins with one question: Does this partnership make us stronger for our customers and for our people?

“When we look at opportunities to grow, we don’t start with spreadsheets,” Barry said in a recent letter to employees. “We start with people. We ask questions like, ‘How do they treat their customers? How do they value their employees?’ Those answers matter far more than any balance sheet.”

That perspective has long guided how Datamax evaluates opportunities. Growth is not a race; it’s a relationship. Each decision is measured by how well it strengthens the Datamax culture and extends the company’s commitment to Create Raving Fans®.

A Natural Connection

That belief in people and culture alignment came to life with Wight Office Machines, a trusted name in the River Valley for nearly a century. For Wight President Michael Wight, the transition represented both legacy and loyalty.
“I wanted a company that would continue the same commitment to our customers and our people,” he wrote in a letter to clients announcing his retirement. “We found that company in Datamax.”

The connection between the two organizations was immediate. Both are independently owned, service-oriented companies with deep community roots and a shared reputation for integrity. The relationship began not in a boardroom but through conversations about values — how both companies approach customers, care for employees, and define long-term success.

“It was never about taking over,” Barry said. “It was about coming together.”

People First, Always

As the transition unfolded, that philosophy guided every step. The integration focused on listening, transparency, and trust. Wight team members were introduced to Datamax’s culture through open dialogue, discussions about benefits and longevity, and a clear message that their years of service — and their relationships — would carry forward.

It’s a process that reflects Datamax’s belief that growth is only sustainable when people are supported. And the early results speak for themselves. In both Fort Smith and the newly established Russellville location, teams are collaborating seamlessly, finding new energy, and building new opportunities to serve customers better than ever before.

Wight’s experienced service technicians and account representatives continue to deliver the personalized support their customers have relied on for decades, now backed by Datamax’s expanded capabilities in Managed IT, document workflow, and in-house leasing services.

A Shared Future

This partnership represents what Growth Plus (+) is truly about — growing together. It’s about merging strengths, learning from one another, and building something that benefits everyone involved.

“The Wight team brings incredible experience and insight,” Barry said. “We’re not just gaining talented professionals; we’re gaining new perspectives that make us stronger across Arkansas and Texas.”
That strength extends beyond products or programs. It’s a cultural strength — one rooted in mutual respect, shared purpose, and the everyday effort to serve customers with excellence.

Yes, growth brings change. But as Barry often reminds teams, when communication is open and trust runs deep, change becomes a catalyst. It turns challenge into opportunity, and opportunity into progress.

On the Plus Side

The plus symbol in Growth Plus (+) represents more than addition. It stands for what happens when great people, shared values, and meaningful partnerships intersect — creating something greater than the sum of its parts.

That’s The Plus Factor.

It’s not just about expanding into new territories. It’s about strengthening who we are, how we serve, and how we grow together — the Datamax way.