In July 2020, software tech company DocuWare built a new official Americas office right here in Dutchess County. Between the excellent quality of life, booming housing market and accessibility to major transportation networks, DocuWare saw a promising opportunity to attract top-tier tech talent by relocating to Beacon. The global company moved its U.S. location, with help from Think Dutchess, from across the Stewart Airport in New Windsor, New York, to the site of the old Beacon City Highway Garage.
In recognition of Docuware’s Dutchess County location reaching its five-year milestone last year, we reflect on this team’s impact on our local community and economy as well as look forward to future plans for continued success.
About DocuWare
Originating in Germany, but growing into offices around the world, DocuWare’s Beacon location is its only office in the U.S. Its software supports more than 20,000 customers around the world each day, helping them with document management and workflow automation. They proudly boast a 95% customer retention rate which is supported by an expert team of employees. At the core of DocuWare is a commitment to take care of its employees and empower them to give back to the communities in which they live and work.
DocuWare Gives Back
While DocuWare’s services have a global reach, the company takes great care to invest in the local communities in which each office is based. DocuWare’s Beacon office has made an intentional effort to give back to Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley region through local partnerships, service projects and volunteer opportunities. This includes building and donating bikes and solar powered toy cars to local children and participating in the Dutchess County Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program during the holidays. DocuWare also sponsors local causes such as donating to food drives, and Mid-Hudson Animal Aid’s annual Catober Fest at Hudson Valley Brewery to encourage cat adoptions and support a no-kill free-range cat sanctuary in Beacon. Outside of work, many employees donate their personal time to causes they believe in.
In addition, the DocuWare team actively collaborates with local nonprofit organizations as part of its annual team-building initiatives. In one memorable event, DocuWare worked with the Salvation Army Beacon Corps Community Center Food Pantry at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) where they used cans of food to build miniature golf holes. The exercise was inspired by design elements found in bridges around New York to symbolize the connection between DocuWare and the local community. Following the activity, all canned goods were donated to the pantry, and the team enjoyed a meal prepared by talented CIA students at its on-campus restaurant, Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici.
Outside of its regional work, the Beacon office also contributes to global causes as part of larger DocuWare initiatives. To commemorate its 35th anniversary in 2023, DocuWare launched a partnership with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for each existing employee at the time and every new customer they signed on moving forward. One Tree Planted is a nonprofit organization that works with partners around the world to plant new trees and restore forests after natural disasters. In addition to its vital impact on the ecosystem, the project creates jobs and rebuilds communities that are affected by environmental catastrophes.
Economic Impact in Dutchess County
DocuWare’s move from New Windsor to Beacon continues to have profound benefits to the local economy and surrounding community. The company has always committed to hiring a local team, bringing 63 employees from its previous location to Beacon and growing to over 100 employees in Beacon since its new office location officially opened for operations.
The company’s relocation resulted in a two-story office building for DocuWare, eight residential housing units, and greenspace along Fishkill Creek that is open to anyone and everyone looking to spend time connecting with nature.
While the construction project itself generated several temporary jobs and stimulated surrounding businesses, its long-term presence continues to deliver sustained economic impact throughout Beacon and the surrounding area. DocuWare employees from across the Americas and Europe travel to Beacon, resulting in a significant number of hotel stays each year and a boost to local restaurants and other businesses while these employees are in town. Company team building and field trips are always held locally, further supporting local venues and vendors. Year-round, DocuWare provides lunch each Wednesday for its employees and prioritizes supporting local restaurants in the county as part of that initiative. With dozens of employees, this weekly tradition undoubtedly provides a welcome mid-week boost to our food and beverage and hospitality industries.
Fostering the Workforce of Tomorrow
DocuWare understands the need to foster a talented and empowered workforce, especially as Dutchess County and the surrounding region continues to grow as an influential tech hub for the U.S.
DocuWare sponsors an exchange program between students who live in the local community and students from around its office in Germany. About a dozen students from Germany live with local Dutchess County families for a week, and in turn, these students visit their exchange partners and stay with their families in Germany. This program provides students with the opportunity to engage deeply with another culture and creates a lifelong connection to DocuWare and its role in their hometown.
DocuWare also maintains connections to a strong local workforce by participating in career fairs at Dutchess County’s leading higher education institutions. Since moving to Beacon, DocuWare has been extremely excited about the caliber of talent it has found at Dutchess County’s colleges and universities and has continued to steadily hire new employees from our region.
Looking Forward
As DocuWare continues to grow in Dutchess County, the team hopes to continually expand its partnerships and connections with the community and other businesses.
Inspired by the incredible impact of this local business?
Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or community partner, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with our team at info@thinkdutchess.com to learn how we can support your business, collaborate on economic development initiatives, or help you grow right here in Dutchess County.
Header photo & ribbon cutting photo courtesy of DocuWare