Event Review: OPI European Forum 2018
The seventh OPI European Forum, which took place at the beautiful and historic Royal Horseguards Hotel in London, UK, from 5-7 June 2018, turned out to be a thought-provoking and highly informative gathering, all...
Advertorial: ES Tech Group
ES Tech Group is the parent company of EvolutionX and FusionPlus. Its mission? To deliver powerfully differentiated B2B e-commerce capabilities for manufacturers, wholesalers and dealers/distributors.The company's new web store, EvolutionX, launched one year ago....
Technology Solutions Special: Moving forward
In June 2016, US dealer groups TriMega and Independent Stationers (IS), along with industry associations IOPFDA/NOPA, joined forces for the EPIContent initiative, to provide a database of non-wholesaler supported products that dealers can use...
Technology Solutions Special: Failure to appear
The biggest issue facing most independents today is failure to appear in internet searches. I know, I know, many will say they are B2B only and don't want random internet shoppers. However, these independents...
Technology Solutions Special: Technology choices
Case study 1: Clark Office ProductsClark Office Products was founded in 1972 in Mountain Home, Arkansas, with a branch in Harrison opening in 1988. The company currently services a region covering ten counties in...
Technology Solutions Special: The perfect (digital) storm
According to some of the prominent software providers to the OP industry, many dealers aren't heeding their warnings about the digital commerce challenges that lie ahead. Mobile, use of data and Amazon are just...
Category Update: Time to collaborate & listen
The role the workplace plays in the emergence of health and well-being trends continues to grow unabated, and office furniture is an essential part of this. The move to open plan, collaborative workspaces is...
No mega acquisitions for HP Inc
Interviewed at a recent AllianceBernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York, HP Inc CEO Dion Weisler said he expected to see continued merging in the print space, but that HP wouldn't "surprise the market"...
Hot Topic: Staples – The IDC’s new best friend?
When private equity firm Sycamore Partners announced in May 2018 that it had made an offer for Essendant and intended to merge the wholesaler with Staples Inc, it raised questions about the motives behind...
Advertorial: Fellowes Brands
Starting with the humble Bankers Box in 1917, then evolving into the shredder category and now also comprising a wide range of wellness products, Fellowes Brands is a company that is defying the challenges...
Comment July/August 2018
Staples Inc certainly didn't hang around following its recent admission to OPI that more extensive partnerships with dealers are very much part of its current strategy. While the exclusive interview with CEO Sandy Douglas...
Digital issue July/Aug 2018
To view a flip version of the February issue of OPI magazine please click the links below.Type A — Europe & UKType B — North America and ROWThe new OPI magazine app is published. Please click on one...
Event Review: Pretty in pink
From 22-24 May, the Clerkenwell area in the UK capital was awash with CDW's distinct pink colour scheme as it played host to a packed programme including fringe events, showroom presentations, workshops, talks and...
Feature: The direct approach
OPI recently took a non-scientific snapshot of almost 40 of some of the office products industry's best-known manufacturers and found that around half sell direct to end users through their own websites. Out of the...
Analysis: OfficeMax New Zealand sold
Platinum Equity has completed its acquisition of OfficeMax New Zealand although the US firm still has not found a buyer for the Winc New Zealand business it has agreed to divest.In April 2018, it...
Advertorial: Supplies Network
OPI speaks to Greg Welchans, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Distribution Management and Supplies Network, about creating more cost-effective, efficient distribution options.OPI: Firstly, can you provide a brief overview of Supplies Network?Greg Welchans:...
Spotlight: Built on solid foundations
At the end of April, about 110 partners from Pilot Corporation across the globe — predominantly Europe — got together in Rome, Italy, for a few days of strategic meetings, networking and — on...
How To: Managing in a crisis
In the first part of this guide in the May issue of OPI, I talked about the importance of being open and honest in your social media communications. Never is this more important than...
Big Read
$15 million raised for City of Hope
The National Business Products Industry (NBPI) has raised another $15 million for City of Hope over the past year.
The 2023 ACCOmplishing Hope fundraising campaign led by...
