KEH Camera: Future-Focused on Growth and Innovation
The saying “everything old is new again” has never been truer as products and services that focus on sustainability are growing in popularity. And when it comes to recycled and upcycled camera gear, KEH Camera in Smyrna, Georgia, is the standard bearer.
While KEH Camera based its business on repairing and revamping the old, the company has found success by focusing on the future.
What started 45 years ago by KEH’s founder, King Grant, Jr., as a small operation for photographers to upgrade equipment and recycle cameras they no longer needed, has grown into a team of 200 Georgians serving an international customer base.
Today, KEH purchases everything from vintage film cameras to the latest releases, which are then professionally cleaned, repaired, and resold to buyers looking for affordable options.
“Our customers like not only the sustainable aspect of what we do, but the fact that we stand behind our products and sales,” said Larry James, KEH’s vice president of operations. “That’s what’s kept us growing.”
Growth & Innovation
Customer demand has been the driving force behind KEH Camera’s growth and innovation. As demand for services transcended its online presence – with KEH tripling business in the last five years – the company renovated and moved into a new building in Smyrna. The new space took them from 25,000 square feet to 62,000 square feet to accommodate the growth in its e-commerce business, plus allowed for a brick-and-mortar store.
To stay true to its roots, KEH didn’t go far to set up the new headquarters.
“We moved just across the street here in Smyrna,” James said. “Metro Atlanta is a good central location from which to ship across country and to Canada. Plus, our employees are local, and many customers pass through Atlanta on the interstates, so opening a store just made sense."
The company continues to increase its footprint and services with buying events around the country and “how-to” tutorials on its website. KEH is in the process of adding more automation to its camera cleaning and firmware updates. Additionally, the company is expanding its commitment to a circular supply chain by recycling corrugated cardboard boxes into packaging material. Future plans include the addition of a rental business, support for a trend toward film photography, dealing in vintage cameras and gear, and exploring a partnership for developing film.
KEH is also refreshing its brand identity and logo. Its name will now stand for “knowledge, excellence, heart,” reflecting its values – what James says customers can expect from the company and its staff. The latest campaign, “Better Than New” further aligns the company mission of being the go-to resource for photographers to receive unparalleled gear and service.
Leveraging Georgia's Workforce
Recruiting a skilled workforce has been easy thanks to a supply of talented graduates from nearby universities and colleges, including the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Chattahoochee Technical College. KEH Camera has also received assistance from the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP). GaMEP works with Georgia manufacturers to create jobs, expand sales, and reduce operating costs and provides training and learning opportunities.
“We look for a passion for the job as well as expertise,” James said. “We nurture our employees by training them and giving them a purpose, helping them understand that each role in the process is important, whether it’s front-facing or behind the scenes.”
Giving Back
KEH partners with numerous photography groups in metro Atlanta, and supports local causes like Paws Atlanta, Trees Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity, and Keep Smyrna Beautiful. The company also participated in the international program “100 Cameras,” sending cameras to 100 children around the world, and purchasing photos taken by these students which are now displayed on KEH’s store walls.
“Phones have not made cameras obsolete,” James said. “In fact, they can encourage an interest in serious photography. When I came here, my camera was a smartphone. I’ve learned a lot, and lot of photographers work at KEH and know that taking a photo with a real camera makes a difference. We all share a passion for what we’re doing.”
Small Business ROCK STARS
Every year in honor of Georgia Small Business Week, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) team up to present a few outstanding small businesses with the title of Small Business ROCK STARS. The awards salute the risks taken, innovations, outreach, and impact of the state’s small businesses. Each of this year’s winners has fewer than 300 full-time employees, makes a positive impact in their community, and was founded in the State of Georgia. Learn more about the program and the rest of the 2024 ROCK STARS.