Consumer Electronics Service Provider Relocates Divisional Headquarters to Gwinnett County

ATLANTA, April 7, 2010 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced today that consumer electronics service provider Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc. will relocate its divisional headquarters to Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County.  The New York-based company is a market leader in parts distribution and repair services for a wide range of high-tech products and consumer electronics.  This project is expected to create about 100 jobs and represents a $250,000 investment. 'Georgia is a vibrant southeastern hub for the manufacturing and logistics industry,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  'Encompass' relocation adds to this already strong foundation, and we are pleased to see that they have chosen to call Georgia, and Gwinnett, home.' This project represents a move for the company's Encompass Service Solutions, Inc. (ESS) subsidiary, currently based in Florida.  Encompass will augment its existing operations at the ESS facility in Lawrenceville to include repair services for a wide range of electronic products, including entertainment systems, laptop and desktop computers, printers, monitors, GPS units and medical equipment.  Of those jobs created, the majority will be new hires and the remaining positions will be filled by existing ESS employees who will relocate from the company's current Florida-based facility. 'We are happy to be further solidifying our business presence in the area and demonstrating our dedication and commitment to Gwinnett County,' said Encompass President and CEO Wayne Danson. 'Gwinnett and the metro Atlanta region provide an excellent combination of convenient transportation access and skilled workforce requirements needed to promote our business growth and support our customers across the country,' said Encompass Executive Vice President and COO Steven Miller. 'We are excited about our continued expansion in Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta, and look forward to a bright future in the area.' The ESS Lawrenceville operation will house accounting, call center functions, account management and IT jobs. The expanded facility will also feature an environmentally-controlled tech service room.  In addition to the expected jobs created with this project, ESS looks to add approximately 30 additional jobs over the next 12 months.  The company also plans to expand its 'Green Choice' electronics parts reclamation program at its Lawrenceville operation. 'Encompass' contribution to the job market in Gwinnett is exemplary of this community's focus to create job opportunities and futures for our citizens,' said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister. 'We are thrilled to have Encompass in Gwinnett and will continue our commitment to strategic economic and business development so that more opportunities, like this one, will be the result.' Georgia's nationally recognized Quick Start workforce training program will assist Encompass in preparing new hires for work in the expanding Gwinnett operations.  Quick Start provides customized workforce training free-of-charge as an incentive for companies to create new jobs in Georgia. GDEcD project manager Lindsay Martin worked with Gwinnett Chamber Business Development manager Alison Starnes to assist Encompass with its expansion. About Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc. Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc., a New York-based company, is a market leader in supply chain logistics, repair services and asset management for a wide variety of high-tech products and consumer electronics. Encompass Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Encompass Parts Distribution, Inc., Encompass Service Solutions, Inc. and Encompass International, provides comprehensive electronics parts distribution, asset recovery, returns management, reverse logistics services, and depot repair and refurbishment services. For more information about Encompass, please visit our website at www.encompass.com. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.  For more information, visit www.georgia.org.