OPI has learned of the passing of Bernie Beauchamp, a driving force behind the development of the personal shredder.
Born in the UK in 1931, Bernie emigrated to Canada in 1957 to run a branch of filing systems manufacturer Shannon (which was acquired by Twinlock in the 1970s). He later joined Fellowes and was instrumental in the company launching the world’s first personal shredders in 1990, visualising the specifications, the price points and the marketing strategy.
After returning to Canada, Bernie – who was by this time in his sixties – joined ACCO, where he helped introduce a line of products that, ironically, competed with Fellowes’ Bankers Box. So innovative and attractive were these, that Fellowes responded by redesigning much of its own range around the ‘easy assembly’ that Bernie had brought to the ACCO range.
He moved back to the US to head ACCO’s Business Machines Division, before retiring in 2005 at the age of 74.
OPI extends its condolences to Bernie’s family and friends.
Oakville (ON), Canada
