Owner is wired into marketplace

He goes to great lengths to stay on top of consumer trends.
TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH JACKSON -- For Steve Sudimak, staying on top of technology is the key to success.
Sudimak owns High Tech Electronics, which sells electronics equipment and provides installation and service of equipment such as satellite dishes, televisions and VCRs.
Sudimak, who has been at his current location on Mahoning Avenue for 29 years, said he began his career in electronics repairing citizens' band radios.
"I started with CB radio years ago when that was the craze. I kept up on the trends. I added TVs and VCRs when they became popular. Back then nobody knew how to fix them and now they're throwaways," he said.
"It's a constantly changing industry. I watched the market and saw that satellite was growing and decided to jump into it."
Sudimak said his membership in the National Electronics Service Dealers Association keeps him current on the latest trends, providing continuous training and updates on the newest products. He also attends the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where the latest in emerging technology is displayed.
"We get to see products before they hit the streets, so we know what to expect in the future. The factory engineers who train us tell us about their [products'] weak points so we know what to expect and they support us with technical data and service manuals."
Sudimak said the newest trends in electronics include plasma screens, liquid crystal displays, high-definition TV and digital linear tape, a technology for data storage used for tape backup and archiving of computer networks and servers.
Career history
After graduating from United Electronics Institute in Cuyahoga Falls in 1972, Sudimak worked with a certified electronics technician who took him under his wing and gave him the practical knowledge he needed to be successful in the business. Sudimak said he now does the same for his employees, training them in the field and giving them hands-on experience.
"I've had many employees tell me they've learned more after working with me for two months than they did after two years of tech school," he said.
Sudimak said that his experience and training allows him to offer customers something more.
"People have so many questions but that's what we're here for. We take a little bit more time than [a chain store] might and explain the pros and cons and answer the customer's questions about their options. We try to point out all the aspects and help them decide which system is best for them."