HP in ink patent challenge
Hewlett Packard (HP) has confirmed it is working with US retailers Walgreen and OfficeMax to resolve ink patent infringements it claims it discovered in stores of both companies. HP claims inks found in refilling service stations of both chains infringe their patents. All three companies are understood to be working together for a resolution.
‘Max strengthens Puerto Rican operation
OfficeMax is to open a 100,000 sq ft distribution centre in Puerto Rico in October this year. The centre will provide more immediate access to products and faster delivery for the retailer’s 10 stores and business customers in the country.
Record year for HSM
German manufacturer HSM has recorded a record year and is forecasting a 25 percent increase in sales after securing major orders including a large new contract with Office Depot. It is expecting to boost sales to €82 million ($103 million) in 2006, with more than 70 percent coming from its international markets.
NeoCon draws huge numbers
NeoCon 2006, the annual show for the interior design and facilities management industry that took place early June, was bigger than ever. It drew 50,493 visitors to the Merchandise Mart Chicago where 1,200 companies exhibited across 1.2 million sq ft of space.
eurOPe 2007 dates revealed
The dates for eurOPe 2007, OPI‘s annual conference for the European office products industry, have been announced as 10-12 June 2007. The ninth annual event will be held at the sumptuous five-star Huis Ter Duin hotel in the Dutch coastal resort of Noordwijk. Expect the usual high-quality round of presentations, breakouts, discussions and plenty of high-quality networking.
Lyreco ups its African presence
Lyreco entered into a strategic alliance with Waltons Stationery Company, the number one national distributor of office supplies in South Africa, in order to better serve its global customers with subsidiaries on the African continent.
New Latin American market study
SHOPA has released a new OP study providing comparative data on Latin America, country by country. The report compares market drivers, B2B channel estimates, market size, growth projection and channel of distribution dynamics.
Network expands to Russia
InterACTION, the European alliance of business supplies distributors, has announced the introduction of Russia’s Bureaucrat to its network. Bureaucrat, which is headquartered in Moscow, has been operating for 11 years and currently has a turnover of €282 million ($354 million) and employs 1,335 people. The partnership increases the total sales of all 11 interACTION members to more than €2 billion.
IBM to invest $6bn in India
IBM has announced plans to invest almost $6 billion in India over the next three years. The world’s largest computer services company said it planned to increase its software, hardware and research businesses in the country, where it currently employs 43,000 workers in 14 cities.
UPM researches ‘green’ power plant
UPM and Lappeenrannan Energia are testing an innovative way to produce energy from the by-products of paper manufacturing in Finland. If the two parties agree, a bio power plant at UPM’s Kaukas mill site will convert logging residues into energy with the fuel power equivalent of 400 mega watts.
Online helps boost Oz sales
The Australian office products market has recorded the best sales and profit results for more than five years. Online sales and diverse product ranges have helped boost business according to a report released by BIS Shrapnel.
TrueColor win China award
At China’s recent Golden Kylin marketing awards, Lotus brand "TrueColor" was awarded the title of "most outstanding enterprise" as well as being listed as one of the country’s most valuable brands.
Depot takes first step into China
Office Depot is understood to have made its first strategic move into the lucrative Chinese market with the acquisition of a stake in online e-procurement company AsiaEC.com, China’s first business-to-business e-commerce service provider and an online and offline vendor of operating resources, including OP.
