IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE IF Trey Beall is reluctant to reveal what makes Coast Office Products so successful.

Since GCOP was named the No. 1 Savin dealer in the U.S. for three straight years, other companies would love to “copy” the office machine distributor’s winning formula.

Yet there is really no secret at all, says company president Beall. Responsive service combined with cutting-edge products have made GCOP an indispensable partner to its vast clientele.

GCOP is more than just the official partner of the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, LSU Athletics and ULL Athletics. For nearly 40 years, it has served businesses of every size in virtually every industry—from individual entrepreneurs to companies with hundreds of office machines.

The state’s largest locally owned independent distributor of multifunction office machines, GCOP has offices in Baton Rouge, in Lafayette, on the Northshore and in New Orleans.

Beall believes there are a few reasons why this Louisiana-grown company is so unique:
 

• “We treat people the way we would want to be treated,” Beall says, beginning with the phone system. Callers to GCOP are always greeted by a live person who can handle their needs quickly and efficiently. Clients can and do call Beall directly, and all calls are returned promptly.
   
• GCOP’s 100-plus Louisiana employees are long-timers who are experienced and empowered to  make decisions without going through the chain of command. The average salesperson has been there for seven years. Director of Operations Michael LeCour has over 30 years’ tenure, while Service Manager Scott McInnis has more than 10. Beall has been with the company for more than 20 years.
   
• GCOP has received many offers to expand to other states, acquire other companies and distribute other brands of office machines, but it has turned them all down. The company has remained loyal to Louisiana and to the award-winning Savin products it knows inside and out. “We handle one line of products, so we see the same things over and over,” Beall emphasizes. “Our technicians have been working with the same manufacturer for over 40 years, and we only stock parts and inventory for one brand.” GCOP clients are the beneficiaries of this concentrated knowledge.
   
• Because of the long partnership with Savin, “We have access to key experts at Savin who help us with clients’ special situations,” Beall adds. “And we can deliver cutting-edge machines, from those the size of a laptop to machines the size of a conference table.”
   
• GCOP is small enough to provide fast, personal service yet strong enough to stock $1 million in Savin office equipment, parts and supplies at its local warehouse. Beall calls that the “sweet spot.”
   
• GCOP has so much experience with so many industries it already knows their needs and nuances. For instance: how HIPAA regulations affect office machines in medical facilities. GCOP has clients across the spectrum, including engineering, churches, law, financial and automotive. “There is virtually no market where we don’t have experience,” Beall says.
   
• GCOP and its employees are entrenched in  their communities and dedicated to giving back. It sponsors golf tournaments, fundraisers, jubilees, walks and many other charitable events

Beall is rightly proud of GCOP’s achievements. This Louisiana original is often imitated, but never duplicated.