CEO of Economy Products & Solutions carries on late husband’s legacy

Economy Products & Solutions Inc. has undergone many changes over the past few years — from a new leader to an office redesign — that have helped the business evolve and grow.

“We don’t stand still and conduct business as usual,” said Denise Wesley, company owner and CEO. “We continue to pivot, turn, pause and reassess.”

That mentality, she says, has resulted in a “small, but mighty” company.

Wesley took over the business after her husband, Tim, died from cancer in 2018.

It was a career shift for Wesley, who worked for more than 18 years at American Express,  but one that gave her more flexibility to care for the couple’s two young daughters and an opportunity to continue to grow her husband’s business and build upon his vision and legacy.

Tim Wesley started his own local business, American Maintenace Supply, in the mid-1990s. It grew organically and through acquisitions over time, becoming The Westcott Group.

In 2016, Wesley merged that business with Economy Paper Co. — a long standing Rochester firm founded in 1936 — creating Economy Products & Solutions.

The company — which employs nearly 30 workers and is located on East Main Street in Rochester — is now a woman-owned wholesale distributor of janitorial supplies and equipment, packaging materials, printing and office paper, green seal products, safety products, food processing and wide format paper and printers.

The company’s service area extends beyond Rochester into Buffalo, Syracuse and the Southern Tier. Additional customers are located out-of-state.

Denise Wesley said the company focuses on technological advancements to help make the purchasing experience more streamlined and enjoyable for customers.

There is also an emphasis placed on competitive pricing along with a selection of top-quality products and superior customer service, she added.

Wesley has also looked inward of late, making updates to the Rochester office. The changes include reconfiguring office space and adding amenities there, such as a dart board, corn hole game and golfing mat for employees to enjoy.

She decided to make the upgrades in an effort to retain and attract young talent, modeling the design after changes made at firms such as Google and Microsoft.

The office’s main space has a wall full of candid pictures of employees. A large picture of Tim Wesley is prominently placed in the office entryway. The space includes purchasing, as well as customer service and support and was updated first. Plans are underway to work on the advertising space next.

These efforts have paid off.

The business has added three employees recently and is now looking to fill a junior inside sales position, she said.

“It has made a world of difference,” Wesley said, noting that employees are more engaged and excited about coming to work. “I wanted to do something that shows how valued and appreciated our employees are.”

In addition to the office updates, Wesley holds regular happy hour events at the business and hosts quarterly team building activities at venues throughout the city.

The changes are not only drawing younger talent, but they are also receiving praise from Economy Products & Solutions’ current workforce.

Long-time employees — including company President Brian Hanley — are part of the backbone of the company, Welsey said, noting many have been with the firm for decades.

Wesley said the business would continue to grow, evaluating new product lines and increasing its customer base.

The company has seen an influx of business from Finger Lakes wineries, as well as from food processing companies, golf courses and restaurants.

Wesley also plans to continue her work outside of the industry.

Wesley and her husband founded Be UninTIMidated Inc., a local nonprofit, whose mission is to encourage, support and advocate for those living with, and affected by, rare forms of cancer, and to raise public awareness and funding to aid in the research and treatment of these diseases.

Julie Camardo, CEO of Zweigle’s Inc., a longtime customer of the company, spoke of the superior customer service Economy Products & Solutions provides.

“They are flexible to our growing needs, and we trust them as they are transparent and share with us any concerns with supplier issues,” Camardo said.

During COVID, for example, Economy Products & Solutions made sure Zweigle’s was able to get what it needed to remain operational and kept in constant contact with the company during those uncertain times.

“Denise has done a wonderful job growing her business, taking over after her husband passed away and persevering, thriving and growing the business with a wonderful team,” Camardo said.

She added Zweigle’s is lucky to have the business as a partner, adding that Economy Products & Solutions provides important back-of-house items such as gloves, paper towels and hair nets.

“These are critical items for any business that you never want to worry about, and [Economy Products & Solutions] make it seamless,” Camardo said.

[email protected] / (585) 653-4021