Java Express brews success with a smile

Aug 28, 2009 (Connecticut Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- JVEX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Brothers Kirk and Patrick Shouvlin have watched Java Express percolate over the past several years from a home-based business into a thriving coffee-supply operation.

They started the business in 2000 in Monroe out of Kirk Shouvlin's basement, driving to area offices with coffee, some coffee pots and a smile. Nine years later, Java Express has grown to require a 6,200-square-foot warehouse on Monroe's Main Street and eight full-time employees -- including Patrick's wife Gail -- four part-time workers and several delivery trucks.

The key to their success, they say, is customer

The key to their success, they say, is customer service.

"The reason why our business grew so fast is because we told office managers that we would clean the equipment and swap out the coffee pots for clean ones during every delivery," Patrick Shouvlin, 44, said, adding they also offered immediate restock of supplies, if necessary. "They liked the fact that we had the same-day emergency service."

Another reason they have grown to more than 1,000 customers and counting is because they do not require contracts, said Kirk Shouvlin, 52, who now lives in Milford.

"We actually prefer not to have a contract as a selling point because it is one less thing the office manager has to take to his legal department," he said.

The brothers, who grew up in New Canaan, are confident in their customer service that they don't need contracts, Patrick Shouvlin

said.

Their company's sales have grown an average 18.5 percent every year except this year, when sales have increased 6.5 percent so far, Kirk Shouvlin said.

Java Express arrives at its customers' offices every two weeks to replenish coffee supplies and swap out the coffee pots and carafes, said Patrick Shouvlin, a Trumbull resident.

"The only thing they pay for is the product we sell them and the rental of equipment," he said.

Their clients include People's United Bank in Bridgeport and the Monroe Police Department, Kirk Shouvlin said.

They do not want to expand their coverage beyond Fairfield County and southern New Haven County because of their same-day service for coffee wares and for delivery of office supplies, a service that has been added within the past six months.

"It dovetails well with our coffee-supply business, because we are talking to the same person who handles the coffee for the office," Kirk Shouvlin said.

Java Express's focus on customer service allows it to compete with the large office-supply companies, Patrick Shouvlin said.

"When we say we have office supplies, and we are able to stock it for them, people tell us it makes sense to order through us," he said.

They also allow offices to try their service for free for one day, Kirk Shouvlin said.

"Nine times out of 10, people say it's much better than the coffee that they are drinking now," he said.

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is thrilled Java Express is doing so well, executive director Jo-Ellen Stipak said.

"I see their trucks all the time," she said, adding that she hopes they join the chamber. "It's wonderful that they have worked so hard to bring their idea to fruition."

Brothers gain clients with perks at Java Express

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