Essendant expects Staples transaction to close soon
Following yesterday’s news that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved its acquisition by Staples, Essendant has written to its…
Conditions imposed on Staples-Essendant deal
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved Staples Inc’s proposed $482.7 million acquisition of wholesaler Essendant – but with…
SPOT appointment expected soon
Outgoing Spicers/OfficeTeam (SPOT) CEO Jeff Whiteway has told OPI that the process of recruiting his successor is nearing completion. Whiteway’s…
Staples CEO reiterates Essendant promises
Staples Inc CEO Sandy Douglas wrote to Essendant counterpart Ric Phillips earlier this week to express his “unwavering excitement” at…
NOPA concerns over GSA e-marketplace
Mike Tucker, CEO of US office products trade association NOPA, has told OPI that he is concerned that Amazon will…
Interview: Lyreco CEO Hervé Milcent aiming for PPE leadership position
Lyreco has signalled its intent to become a force in the European personal protective equipment (PPE) market following the acquisition…
Alibaba builds Silk Road to Europe
China-based online giant Alibaba has shifted its focus towards Europe. As of September, a change in direction for Alibaba became…
Tariff relief for OP industry?
Despite an apparent 90-day ceasefire on the trade war between the US and China, uncertainty still reigns. Scheduled to be…
GSA to overhaul federal acquisition schedules
The US General Services Administration (GSA) has this week announced a major restructuring of its Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) that…
Warehouse Stationery to streamline operations
New Zealand-based Warehouse Group has revealed its strategy to combat competitors. During its recent AGM, the company said it plans…
ADVEO files an insolvency proceeding
Pan-European business supplies and stationery wholesaler ADVEO has filed for an insolvency proceeding after its lenders withdrew their support for…
Depot turnaround still a work in progress
Office Depot’s third quarter earnings results this week certainly caught the eye of Wall Street and the US media as…
Industry Week gaining momentum
As many OPI readers probably know, the Business Solutions Association (BSA), the US trade association comprising manufacturers, wholesalers and manufacturer…
Analysis: Double-whammy hit ACCO’s Q3 results
ACCO’s Q3 performance in the US nosedived largely as a result of issues in the wholesaling channel and economic factors…
Mixed quarter for Essendant
US wholesaler Essendant has reported profit improvement in its third quarter results, but the top-line in the office reseller channel…
Staples secures Essendant shares
A potential banana skin in Staples’ attempt to acquire Essendant has been avoided after a majority of Essendant’s shares were…
ADVEO in creditor protection after Staples talks collapse
European business products wholesaler ADVEO has entered pre-insolvency proceedings after negotiations between its lenders and Staples Solutions ended without an…
UK distributor enters administration
UK IT and EOS distributor Beta Distribution has gone into administration, OPI has learned. Rumours began circulating at the end…
Genuine Parts sues Essendant
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) has filed a lawsuit against Essendant, accusing the latter of “deceptive conduct and breaches of its…
Improved profitability at EVO
UK and Ireland office products group EVO – which includes wholesaler VOW and reseller Banner – has revealed EBITDA growth…
Big read
GSA provides e-commerce update
One month before it is due to submit a report to Congress on its federal e-commerce marketplace initiative, the US…