’Max campaigns to end $4 billion teacher stationery ‘tax’
OfficeMax has launched a campaign to raise awareness of teachers across the US who spend an average $1,200 of their own money each year on classroom supplies. The retailer said this amounts to a $4 billion out-of-pocket annual expense for an essential workforce. The new OfficeMax campaign aims to highlight this plight and drive “community-based action” to bring more resources to teachers. The company is conducting a nationwide fundraising programme through in-store donations to benefit Adopt-A-Classroom, a unique not-for-profit organisation that brings support direct to teachers.
Shoplet opens on Shop.com
Shoplet.com has launched a version of its award-winning website on Shop.com. Customers shopping at Shop.com will have access to Shoplet’s complete selection of online office supplies. Tony Ellison, president and CEO of Shoplet.com, said: “With Shop.com being one of the premier online marketplaces where customers can shop across hundreds of stores, Shoplet will be the perfect complement for the office products category. Such affiliation with Shop.com will enable Shoplet.com to further extend its reach on the web and bring its complete product offering to an even broader audience base.”
American Product Distributors signs Air Force deal
American Product Distributors has won a five-year contract to supply office products to all of the US Air Force’s domestic installations, reports Charlotte Business Journal. The Charlotte-based company will also provide the business stationery line for pharmaceutical-supply company Pharma Group in a deal that includes business cards, letterhead, envelopes and note cards. In addition, American Product Distributors has landed a three-year contract to sell and distribute office supplies to Express Scripts locations nationwide, one of the largest pharmacy-benefit managers in the US.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Chuckals lands federal contract
Chuckals Office Products has been awarded a contract under the US Air Force’s new Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for office products. The Tacoma-based independent dealer is one of only ten OP vendors to be selected under the BPA. Chuckals’ VP Al Lynden said: “After serving as a supplier to the Department of the Army under its office products BPA for the past three years, we are very gratified by this endorsement of the personal service and high value Chuckals provides, and honoured by the opportunity to serve even more of our nation’s finest.”
Janet Myhre, director of Chuckals’ government services group, added: “Many government buyers throughout the country already know and appreciate Chuckals’ superior service and competitive pricing. We’re looking forward to adding to our government customer base through this new BPA.”
Steelcase displays its social commitment
Steelcase has signed a one-year extension of its partnership in the UK with Green-Works, a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides redundant office furniture for re-use by schools, charities and community organisations. Steelcase says it is “proud to maintain its support of Green-Works’ policy of zero landfill throughout the UK” and continues to “wholly endorse the charity’s take-back initiatives”, which see old furniture removed from offices and redistributed.
Pelikan ME unveils Total Office Solutions
Pelikan ME has unveiled Total Office Solutions (TOS), the company’s latest strategic initiative. It aims to increase the company’s market share across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Levant territories. Speaking at the TOS launch event, Nasser Al Atrash, VP and head of Pelikan’s business operations for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, said: “TOS is aimed at further increasing our market share in the equipment and supplies market in the region, and helping us consolidate our presence. We have consolidated our businesses under the Pelikan and GEHA brands and this gave us the competitiveness and strategic advantage to invest into new growth areas for us like the markets of Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Eastern Europe.”
EISA industry experts vote for Epson
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) has awarded Epson two accolades for its professional digital imaging products. The EISA Photo Panel, comprising of 15 leading industry experts from across Europe, voted the Epson Stylus Pro 3800 as the best European Photo Printer, 2007-2008 and the Epson P-5000 as the best European Image Tank, 2007-2008. EISA is Europe’s premier consumer technology awards association, and comprises nearly 50 leading photo, audio, home theatre, convergence and mobile electronics magazines from 18 European countries.
CCM celebrates success in China
CCM’s Chinese partner FUNAR has been given the seal of approval by the mayor of the Chongqing province. During the second Chongqing Computer Show, the Mayor, Hung Qifan, visited FUNAR, which is distributing CCM’s ROGGE brand in China. Qifan said he was “very pleased” with the ROGGE product range and glad that the German products have been introduced into the Chinese market. Frank Rogge, chairman of ROGGE Europe Screen Clean, said: “In our area of business, we are one of very few companies that does not import from China, but instead exports German products there. And although we are, of course, more expensive in relation to Chinese products, we are pleased with our reception.” FUNAR, has been distributing ROGGE products for six months.
Warehouse profit up nearly 300 percent
New Zealand-based The Warehouse Group has posted a mammoth rise of nearly 300 percent in full year net profit. Net profit for the year was NZ$111.5 million ($84.6 million), up from NZ$ 29.3 million a year earlier. Although one-off gains significantly boosted the results, Warehouse says that despite a period of challenging trading conditions it is still well placed to experience good sales growth.
Katun teams up with RTS Imaging
Katun has announced a distribution agreement with RTS Imaging of Sydney, Australia. RTS will become Katun’s “premier distributor” for imaging parts and supplies in Australia and New Zealand.Carlyle Singer, president and CEO, Katun, said: “We are excited to be partnering with a company that shares many of our same values. Its commitment to service and quality has been proven over the years, and with a 3,200m² warehouse in Sydney, a proven distribution infrastructure, and ISO certification, RTS will be in a position to offer customers the highest level of service.” RTS will offer the full Katun range of products, in addition to its own selection of laser printer cartridges, ink jet cartridges, thermal transfer ribbons and other printer media.
