OfficeMax tapping into US small-business market
OfficeMax is expanding its line of business design services through OfficeMax ImPress print and document services.The company is hoping to tap into the 26 million self-employed or under ten-person firms in the US. According to the company, the expanded service will bridge the gap between do-it-yourself design and design agencies. Ryan Vero, EVP and chief merchandising officer, said: “Expanding OfficeMax ImPress’s design services comes at a critical time. We see a new service niche emerging because small-business owners want more control over designs, but they fall short on skills and resources. Plus, they don’t have time to keep going back and forth on design concepts.”
Xerox reveals breakthrough in colour printing
Xerox has made a breakthrough in solid ink technology, which promises to make colour printing as affordable as black and white. The technology has been integrated into two new Xerox MFPs – the Xerox Phaser 8860 colour printer and the Xerox Phaser 8860MFP colour multifunction printer. According to the company, the technology takes the form of “crayon-like ink sticks” that have been “developed to last longer than ever before”. Xerox said: “By increasing the total number of colour pages the ink sticks produce, Xerox has drastically reduced the price of colour printing. When comparing the cost of the device and the ink, printing on the Phaser 8860 is two times less expensive than using equivalent laser printers from other manufacturers.” Xerox also claims its cartridge-free solid ink technology requires minimal packaging and generates 90 percent less waste than comparable laser printers.
TriMega announces details of Elevate 2008
TriMega Purchasing Association’s next National Convention & Tradeshow – Elevate 2008 – will take place on 22-24 October at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. Charlie Cleary, TriMega president, said: “We are very excited to be officially announcing our 2008 convention. To be able to do so, on the heels of such a tremendously successful convention this year, inspires us all to continue to take this event to the next level.” Michael Morris, VP of marketing, added: “We are wholeheartedly committed to finding ways to provide even more value for all of our convention attendees – members and exhibitors. I’m confident next year’s Elevate 2008 will again raise the bar to deliver on that pledge.”
Integra wins Green Dragon status
Integra, the UK dealer group, has achieved Green Dragon status as part of its commitment to being an environmentally friendly business. The dealer group has been awarded Green Dragon Environmental Standard at Level 2 by the Welsh Assembly Government in recognition of its five-stage environmental management system to identify green issues relevant to the specific needs of its business. Integra is also expanding its initiative own-brand range of recycled products, and has introduced a recycling programme for members and customers enabling them to return their inkjet and toner cartridges for refilling.
Wilson Office Supply named Employer of the Year
Wilson Office Supply, an is.group dealer, has been named Employer of the Year by the Wichita Falls Business & Professional Women’s Club. The club’s Employer of the Year programme recognises outstanding business owners who have distinguished themselves in their community and have supported their female employees. The club particularly wanted to recognise Wilson’s support of Melodie Berry, one of its own members.
Paperworld Frankfurt to revert to popular format
Paperworld Frankfurt is to revert to the popular Saturday-start format from 2009. In response to growing talk within the industry about the time and duration of the event, organisers Messe Frankfurt decided to conduct a survey among both exhibitors and visitors. The outcome of the survey, which was said to be “quite explicit”, has prompted Messe Frankfurt to hold the 2009 event from Saturday 31 January to Tuesday 3 February. OPI applauds this decision, which demonstrates Messe Frankfurt’s continuing commitment to the longevity and future success of Paperworld Frankfurt.
Date set for Polish stationery forum
The Polish Chamber of School and Office Products Trade is to hold its third International Stationery Branch Forum in Warsaw on 8-9 November. The forum aims to highlight new trends, solutions and technologies that will inspire a more inventive approach to Polish OP players. It also hopes to encourage community relations through common participation in various seminars and training sessions. Event organisers are hoping to attract the forum’s biggest crowd yet, beating last year’s turnout of 300 visitors.
Enso named Nordic’s greenest paper company
The Carbon Disclosure Project has named Stora Enso the best paper and forest products company in the Nordic region regarding carbon emissions. The Carbon Disclosure Project is an independent non-profit organisation that gathers information on business risks and opportunities related to climate change, which it uses to set a standard for carbon disclosure methodology and process. The project’s first Nordic report lists companies that demonstrate best practices in climate change strategy and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, Stora Enso came fourth on the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) among carbon-intensive companies in the Nordic countries.
Fellowes establishes Russia JV
Fellowes has established a JV with Pragmatic based in Moscow, Russia. Fellowes Russia, under the leadership of Alexander Kolesnik, will focus on increasing the distribution and growth of the Fellowes range of business machines and office products. Andrea Davis, president of Fellowes Europe, said: “Over the past 13 years, Pragmatic has successfully built a first-class business in the Russian marketplace. In 2003, Fellowes appointed Logica, the new company created by Pragmatic, as our master distributor for Russia. During this time, under Alexander’s leadership, Fellowes has rapidly become the leading brand in business machines so we are delighted to have formalised Fellowes Russia and excited to be fully represented in such a dynamic market.”
Best Buy to open second Shanghai store
Best Buy is to open its second outlet in Shanghai as part of its strategic expansion in China. Robert Willett, president of Best Buy International, said that the success of the company’s first Chinese store in the Xujiahui area of the city warrants the opening of another store. Willett said: “We are seeking the right location for the new outlet in the city to expand our business.” Brad Anderson, vice-chairman and CEO of Best Buy Corporate Campus, said: “We are studying the Chinese market to find out what Chinese consumers expect and want. Best Buy needs experience in the China market, but it takes time.” In June the company announced plans to speed up its Chinese expansion plans by opening up to ten stores in China over the next 18 months.
China looking to clean up its image
It is understood that Chinese officials are in talks with the British Retail Consortium to explore how to improve the image of Chinese-made products. The Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy is considering adopting the British Retail Consortium’s Global Standards to improve the reputation of Chinese exports. The BRC has made its new Global Standard for Consumer Products available in Chinese for the first time. The consortium believes this could improve manufacturing standards in the country. Adopting the standards enables suppliers to show retailers that they have reached, and maintain, high levels of product safety. Chinese officials, working with UK government partners and the British Standards Institute, will be holding a series of supplier briefings in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, four major Chinese cities, later this month.
