NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Midwest's Largest Ace(R) Hardware Dealer to Launch Ink-O-Dem(R) Printer Ink Refills August 8

Giant Co-Op, Westlake Ace Hardware, Initially Offers New Eco-Friendly Service in Six Kansas Stores

Ink-O-Dem, the leader in integrated inkjet cartridge refilling and testing solutions for retail and university environments, today announced the August 8 launch of its popular ink cartridge refilling service at six Westlake Ace Hardware stores in Lawrence, Topeka, and Olathe, Kansas. These stores can now refill 146 different inkjet cartridges including the latest cartridges from HP and Canon. The time-honored Westlake Ace Hardware, founded as Westlake Hardware over 100 years ago, is now the largest member of the Ace Hardware family and encompasses over 80 neighborhood stores in seven Midwestern US states.

The new Ink-O-Dem inkjet cartridge refill service will begin on August 8 at all five Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas locations and the Olathe, KS location near Kansas City. To view participating Westlake Ace Hardware locations, visit http://www.inkatace.com. To view compatible ink cartridges, visit http://www.inkodem.com/news4.htm.

"Our friends at Westlake Ace Hardware are very big on sustainability because they understand its importance. According to Lyra Research, over a million inkjet cartridges are thrown into landfills every day, adding 60,000 tons of industrial grade plastic to landfills each year. Together, we can incrementally make a big difference by refilling inkjet cartridges instead of throwing them away. And the 50 percent or greater cost savings to both consumers and small businesses are tremendous," said Tom Price, Business Development Manager at Ink-O-Dem.

"Recently, we have shifted our business strategy to be better positioned for continued growth, and this includes a focus on sustainability. Adding Ink-O-Dem's ink cartridge refilling service just makes perfect sense as it is convenient, green, and affordable. We will have this new service in six of our Olathe, Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas area stores initially and plan to expand the rollout from there," said Boyd White, Corporate Merchant of Westlake Ace Hardware.

About Ink-O-Dem
Ink-O-Dem is the leader in integrated inkjet cartridge refilling and testing solutions for retail and university environments. Independently tested under the strictest industry quality standards by the Rochester Institute of Technology, Ink-O-Dem inks are comparable in quality to original manufacturer inks. Delighted customers include Ace Hardware, Cartridge World, Hi-School Pharmacy, Micro Center, Walgreens, other major chain retailers, and several distinctive universities. Ink-O-Dem saved consumers approximately $50 million last year with inkjet cartridge refills. Visit http://www.inkodem.com or call (815) 331-3200 for more information.

About Westlake Ace Hardware
Westlake Ace Hardware was founded in 1905 and today operates 88 neighborhood hardware stores in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Westlake is the largest member of the Ace Hardware Cooperative, giving the company access to over 70,000 items. Westlake's product categories include traditional hardware categories such as fasteners, tools, plumbing and electric supplies and paint. Westlake also offers a wide range of lawn & garden products and operates large Garden Centers adjacent to many of its stores. Visit http://www.westlakehardware.com for more information.

MEDIA NOTES:
Download high resolution images for publication from: http://www.inkodem.com/news1.htm