Read on to find out which companies and products have made the shortlist for this year’s highly anticipated North American Office Products Awards (NAOPA).
After an enforced absence in 2020, the NAOPA are back this year. And what better place to hold them than the eagerly awaited Industry Week ’21, powered by ISG that is taking place in Orlando (FL) from 7-12 November.
After working their way through the numerous entries, the members of the NAOPA judging panel cast their votes, resulting in the following shortlist for the five main product categories:
Best Product – Core Business Product
- 3M: 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
- 3M: Post-it Flex Write Surface
- Avery Products: Avery PermaTrack Metallic Asset Tag Labels
- COLOP: COLOP e-mark
- ACCO Brands: Kensington UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment
Best Product – Facilities, Breakroom, Safety & Infection Control
- 3M: Scotch-Brite One Step Disinfectant & Cleaner
- Fellowes: AeraMax Pro Air Purifier
- ACCO Brands: Kensington UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Sanitization Compartment
- OttLite Technologies: OttLite Sanitizing Desk Lamps with SpectraClean and ClearSun LED technology
- ACCO Brands: TruSens Z-3500 Smart Air Purifier
Best Product – Furniture & Design
- C-Line Products: Chair Cubbies
- Ghent: Pointe Mobile Glassboard & Partition
- Special-T: CORE by Safe-T
- Special-T: LINK Collaboration Tables
- Victor Technology: DC830B 3ft Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk (compact)
Best Product – Technology
- COLOP: COLOP e-mark
- ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
- ACCO Brands: Kensington VeriMark Guard Fingerprint Key
- OneScreen: OneScreen GoSafe Entryway Management System
- Xebec: Xebec Tri-Screen 2
Innovation of the Year
- 3M: Post-it Flex Write Surface
- 3M: 3M CLAW Drywall Picture Hanger
- ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioDock iPad Docking Station
- ACCO Brands: Kensington StudioCaddy with Qi Wireless Charging for Apple Devices
- Newell Brands: Sharpie S Gel Pen
In addition to the above categories, North American business products professionals and attendees at Industry Week will be able to vote for their People’s Choice award. More details about this will be available shortly.
“We had more entries this year than for the previous three NAOPA,” noted OPI Director Janet Bell. “Companies are certainly keen to showcase their new ideas, and we have seen a real mixture between category innovation and COVID-aligned and inspired products.”
She added: “I would just like to thank the judges for all their hard work. We had 34 people from different industry sectors, and they reviewed every single entry. We even had three rounds of voting before coming up with the final shortlist.”
There are also three individual categories – Young Executive, Professional and Industry Achievement. The winners of these awards will be announced on the day.
Commenting on these, Bell said: “The entries for the individual awards highlighted the number of people – from both vendors and dealers – who are stepping up every single day to drive their companies forward and support the independent dealer channel. It was really inspiring to read all the nominations that show not only great leadership, but also how people in our industry are going out of their way to help their local communities.”
More details on the 2021 NAOPA can be found here.
London, UK & Rosemont (IL), USA
