I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’m trying to write this Editor’s comment with one ear on United Stationers’ first quarter conference call. There always seems to be something taking place or a breaking news story on or around OPI deadline day… there is a conspiracy theory in there somewhere!
Talking of United, while they are clearly disappointed at not getting the nod for the first-call wholesale business at Office Depot, OPI readers seemed to think the award to SP Richards was a positive thing for the balance of the industry in the US.
One area that United has targeted for growth is business – via its reseller partners – with government agencies, and we have an interesting piece on the rise of cooperative contracts contributed by the wholesaler’s Head of Vertical Markets David Haugh.
Not all government agencies are going down the cooperative route though, and local US dealer FSIoffice has recently won the North Carolina state contract. We spoke with FSI’s Mark Leazer about this win and he talks about how independents have managed to level the playing field with their big-box competitors in this area .
Finally, we welcome back our annual Top 100 feature this month. I say 100, but we actually include only 15 resellers in this year’s print edition, with the balance to be published on opi.net. Have you or your company made it?
