Dealer Profile
Company name |
Greenville Office Supply (GOS) |
Address |
310 E, Frontage Road. Greer, South Carolina 29651 |
Contact Numbers |
864-233-5346 |
Products and Services (inc. no. of SKUs) |
Office Supplies, printing, furniture, promotional products and safety products.1,400 SKUs |
Territory |
All 48 states with emphasis on South Carolina and North Carolina |
Turnover |
8 percent |
No of employees |
67 |
Contact names and positions |
Charles Scales, president. Scott Hart, vice president |
Founded |
1968 |
Stockless or stocking dealer |
Stocking dealer |
Dealer group |
is.group |
Interview with president Charles Scales
OPI Executive Briefing: Are you diversifying into non-traditional OP product areas? How necessary do you feel this is for dealers today?
Charles Scales: We have already diversified with six divisions. This is most important in order to compete with the superstores.
OPI: Which wholesalers do you use?
CS: First Call SP Richards. We just bid them out.
OPI:Do you source any products direct from the manufacturer? If so, what percentage? Do you plan on increasing this percentage?
CS: Yes we bring in 55 percent and this percentage is continually increasing.
OPI:What would you say has been your company’s best decision and what has been its worst?
CS: We just purchased our biggest independent competition. Our worst decision was not doing it sooner.
OPI:How do you cultivate customer relations to ensure you are the first point of call for your customer’s OP needs?
CS: Relationship, relationship and follow up.
OPI:How do you aim to differentiate yourself from other dealers?
We provide superior service from the time you call us and talk to a real person until the check clears at the bank.
OPI:What do you feel is the secret of your company’s success?
CS: Continued hardwork by a longstanding and dedicated workforce.
OPI: What do you consider to be your greatest challenges over the next year?
CS: Our greatest challenge is the perception of the superstores gaining strength.
OPI: What are your priorities for the coming year?
CS: Kicking the superstores’ butts.
OPI: What trends do you expect to most impact the dealer community over the next five years?
CS: Internet buying and technology.