It’s a milestone worth celebrating as Sal Altavilla, the founder of Advanced Office Technology (AOT), reflects on 40 years of hard work, dedication, and a passion for providing top-notch office solutions. From its humble beginnings as a small stationery store on Brewster’s Main Street to its current position as one of Putnam’s best-kept secrets, AOT has grown and thrived under Altavilla’s leadership.
Back in the 1980s, Altavilla opened a modest 600-square-foot store called Oxman’s, specializing in selling basic stationery supplies like pens, pencils, and paper clips. It quickly became a staple in the vibrant community of the Harlem Valley. However, challenges arose when a large corporation, Staple’s, opened a branch in nearby Danbury. Recognizing that a small mom-and-pop store couldn’t compete with the scale and resources of a corporate giant, Altavilla made a strategic decision. He relocated AOT to the Mt. Ebo Corporate Park in Southeast, thus marking the birth of Advanced Office Technology.
Altavilla’s background as an accountant may seem unrelated to the world of office technology, but it was his determination and adaptability that paved the way for his success. After finding himself in need of a job to support his family, Altavilla answered a classified ad and landed a position as a typewriter salesman. Despite not knowing how to type and having no prior sales experience, he embraced the opportunity at Royal Typewriters. Within a remarkable seven years, he climbed the ranks to become a regional manager in Manhattan.
When the company underwent changes due to a sale, Altavilla seized the moment and decided to embark on his entrepreneurial journey. He found a space in Brewster and established Oxman’s, the foundation of AOT. As the business evolved, AOT expanded its offerings to include a wide range of office equipment, such as copiers, high-speed scanners, printers, and postage meters. Altavilla’s unwavering commitment to customer service excellence, his dedicated team of seventeen employees, and their expertise available around the clock, have contributed to AOT’s reputation as a reliable and trustworthy provider.
Today, AOT’s influence extends far beyond Putnam County. Customers from all over the nation rely on the company for their office equipment needs. With a vast inventory of supplies ready for immediate shipment and delivery, AOT ensures that businesses have the tools they need to thrive.
To commemorate this significant anniversary, the Brewster Chamber of Commerce will host a celebratory gathering at the Centennial Grille on Simpson Road in Carmel. Members of the chamber, along with friends and well-wishers, will come together this evening (Tuesday) from 6-8 pm to honor Altavilla’s accomplishments and the remarkable journey of AOT.
Looking back on the past four decades, Altavilla takes immense pride in his company’s achievements. He believes that the key to success lies not only in providing top-quality products and services but also in giving back to the community. Altavilla and his team at AOT have always maintained a spirit of generosity and community involvement.
SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.
