History of opex

OPEX® Corporation is coming up on its 50th anniversary since the company was acquired by the Stevens family in 1975. From its humble beginning as a mail automation company with only eight employees in the 1970s, OPEX has grown to have over 1,600 employees currently and continues to develop cutting-edge technology for warehouse automation, document automation, and mail automation, creating innovative solutions that help our customers now and in the future.

1970

The 70s began an era of transformation for OPEX® Corporation. Al Stevens discovered OPEX mail automation during his time at Columbia Records. He developed a close relationship with OPEX and was offered a role as National Sales Manager. He and his wife, Joanna, packed up their family and moved from Indiana to NJ. In 1975, the Stevens were presented with the opportunity to purchase OPEX and began the Company’s successful turnaround.

Al Stevens Streamlines Mailroom Operations of Columbia Records
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1971
1975
Al and Joanna Stevens purchase OPEX Corporation
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Model 40 RED (Rapid Extraction Desk) Introduced
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1976
1979
Model 43 RED (Rapid Extraction Desk) Launched
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1980

In the 1980s, Al Stevens was determined to continue reducing the amount of operator intervention needed to run the RED systems and increase efficiency. OPEX developed faster and more advanced versions of the RED mail opening and extraction system with the Model 45 RED, further improving mail operations for its customers. OPEX also began to introduce new products, such as the Model 24 Flats Extraction desk for flat mail and the System 100 high-speed envelope opener.

Model 45 RED (Rapid Extraction Desk) Introduced
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1980

1983

Model 48 RED (Rapid Extraction Desk) Introduced
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1987

Introduction of System 100
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1990

The 1990s continued to be a successful time for OPEX as the company was continuing to grow domestically and beginning to expand internationally into Europe. Demand for automation was high as customers wanted to keep up with new technology and economic growth, leading to more innovative mail handling solutions from OPEX.

United Kingdom and France Offices Opened
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1990

1994
System 150 Launched
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OPEX Acquires Omation
Corporation
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1994
1998
MPS 40, Incoming, Outgoing, & Wholesale Lockbox Sorter is Released
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2000

As OPEX continued its success into the 2000s, the company continued its goal of developing new and innovative technology to continue helping its customers succeed, especially as the online world began to grow. With the increased adoption of digital technology, OPEX added scanning capabilities to its RED systems, starting with the AS3600i scanner. OPEX broadened its product line significantly, also adding the OPEX Eagle® high-speed remittance processor and the Mail Matrix® mail sorter, which would eventually pave the way for OPEX’s breakthrough into the warehouse automation market.

3600i (and 3600t) Check/Document
Scanner
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2003

2005

EAGLE® High-Speed
Remittance Processor
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Introduction of Mail Matrix® Mail Sorter
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2007

2010

The 2010s proved to be a significant and exciting decade for OPEX. The company continued to rapidly grow, especially with the creation of its material handling and warehouse automation division. OPEX expanded globally launching the Perfect Pick® goods-to-person system, the Falcon® series of scanners, Perfect Pick HD (High Density) system, and the Sure Sort®automated sorting system. OPEX also made a sizeable investment in sustainable energy by implementing a new solar field that would power the company’s in-house manufacturing processes.

Introduction of Perfect Pick®
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2013

2014
Introduction of Falcon® Series of Scanners
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Introduction of Perfect Pick® HD and Sure Sort®
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2017

2020

From 2015, OPEX doubled their talent with over 1600 employees world-wide. This growth fueled brand-new innovative solutions for warehouse, document, and mail automation as well as more office locations. In 2022, OPEX launched the Infinity™ AS/RS at MODEX 2022 and the Gemini™ scanner with Right-Speed™ scanning technology in April 2022, adding to its catalog of cutting-edge technology. While the past few decades have been eventful, we’re more excited than ever about the many wonderful changes and innovations that will occur in the years ahead.

Introduction of
Infinity™ AR/RS
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2022

2021

Plano, Texas Facility Opens
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EMEA Headquarters
in Germany
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2022

2022

Introduction of Gemini™ Right-Speed™ Scanning more >>