LEADER BUSINESS - Key Persons

Karl Lieder graduated from Western Michigan University in 1981. By 1983, he founded Leader Business and began operating in his garage in Redford and selling Mita copiers with the help of one service technician. The company was established to provide unparalleled service and support after a copier system was installed. In the early 1980s, copiers were analog devices with many moving parts - do you remember sorter bins? Mr. Lieder knew that if he could provide the best support after the sale, he could separate himself from the competition. "Our focus from the beginning was to be unsurpassed in customer service," said Mr. Lieder. As his startup business continued growing, Mr. Lieder incorporated Leader Business Systems in 1989. For years, the Mita, Inc. manufacturer representative calling on Mr. Lieder saw the potential of Leader Business Systems. In 1992, Mark McMacken left the manufacturer Mita and bought into Leader Business Systems. With both officers of the company having extensive copier sales experience, they hired a veteran service manager, Tim Englehardt, to run the service support business in 1995. Mr. Englehardt has been in the copier business since 1979 and is considered one of Metro Detroit's premier technical experts. Today, he manages Leader Business corporate headquarters' service support team and is our longest-tenured employee.