History

KOPY-RITE originally began in the early 1980's as a division of a software developer called K-Byte. This was a turnkey software production facility that would provide contract programming services AND software manufacturing services to software publishers. They would primarily service video game publishers and would provide a "concept to finished goods" service. They would start with a client's original idea or conversion requirement, provide the programmers necessary to create and debug the program, and then provide the final shrink-wrapped package.

At the time the popular computers were the Atari 400 home computer, the TI 99/4a, the Commodore 64, and the VIC-20. All of these had cartridge slots and K-Byte's electronic assembly plant would manufacture the cartridges. K-Byte's services eventually expanded to include Apple and IBM computers, each of which had disk drives (5.25"). One of K-Byte's customers requested an expansion of services to include diskette duplication, and the software duplication division was born.

The video games business underwent a dramatic and significant period of turbulance during the mid 80's. K-Byte began to focus on it's manufacturing skills, and was eventually purchased by Reptron Electronics (NASDAQ ticker REPT). After several expansions Reptron decided to close the original K-Byte facility that housed the corporate management, the sales, engineering, and purchasing departments, and also the disk duplication operation. The corporate and operational departments of K-Byte were relocated to Tampa, Florida, but it seemed more prudent to keep the disk duplication operation located in Troy (primarily due to the customer base). With all of their other corporate presence in Tampa, Reptron decided to sell the disk duplication operation to Michael Reno the General Manager of the division that also had responsibility for this operation. Mr. Reno began his career as a computer programmer in 1979 at 16 years old, and has focused entirely on microcomputers / personal computers. He began working at K-Byte in 1982, left to join Electronic Data Systems in 1985, and rejoined K-Byte in 1988, and has significant experience in this industry. Kopy-Rite officially began operations under it's new name on August 1, 1990.

Since then technological advances have enabled us to expand our business to include CD-ROM, CD/R, DVD and video duplication. Of course we still provide services for duplication of diskettes and computer tapes. The real benefit our customers gain from our longevity in this industry is our ability to identify changing trends (we've seen 'em many times before!) and to apply our experience to the new electronic distribution mechanisms as they emerge. As technology continues to develop, we will continue to grow our business to meet any our customer's duplication and distribution needs.