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23 Jul 21

Updated: 23 Jul 21

Bouncebackability
Index leaderboard

Q2'21 results analysis show
healthy growth v laggards

Early results for business supply players in Q2'21 predictably show strong positive growth v Q2'20, but how do they compare with the pre-Covid 'norm'? Proficiency Index reports the leaderboard of vendors, wholesalers and dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance v Q2'19. Updated daily through the Q2 reporting season...

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23 Jul 21

Updated: 23 Jul 21

K-Clark's tissues

for hygiene tears

Strong personal care sales
offset weak Pro/consumer

Kimberly-Clark (K-C) the global personal hygiene brandmaker, reported continued declines in towels & tissues compared with Covid boosted Q2'20.  CEO Mike Hsu commented on a disappointing market share loss that was only marginally ahead of the 'normal' Q2'19

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23 Jul 21

Updated: 23 Jul 21

Flexible Fulfilment
by Essendant...

Wholesaler partners in low
-cost vendors' distribution

As Amazon wreaks havoc with traditional distribution channels, wholesalers face pressure to innovate with broader business supply categories; same day delivery & mobile webstore marketing. Dealers have been slow to respond causing wholesalers to deepen partnerships with vendors. We discuss progress with Essendant's president Harry Dochelli...Updated

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23 Jul 21

Updated: 23 Jul 21

HP fraudster
faces extradition

Autonomy's chief Lynch
guilty of $11Bn con in 2011

A UK court ruled yesterday that Mike Lynch could be sent to US to face 17 counts of criminal fraud over the $11Bn sale of Autonomy, the software developer, to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. If found guilty, the billionaire could spend more than 20 years in prison. We revisit the history of the case...

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22 Jul 21

Updated: 22 Jul 21

GPC: Motion loses 
FM supply market

NAPA strong inc busy M&A
as US economy recovers

Genuine Parts (GPC) the $18Bn parent of NAPA autocare, Motion industrial supplies (& ex-SPRichards) reported a recovering performance in Q2'21. CEO Paul Donahue commented on a stronger autocare market but did not comment on losing FM market share

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22 Jul 21

Updated: 22 Jul 21

Acme advance hit 
by systems snags

Strong US sales disrupted
International demand high

Cutting tools and safety supplies maker Acme Unitedannounced strong Q2'21 financial results boosted by powerful sales of Westcott scissors & First Aid & Safety products. CEO Walter Johnsen reports on its continued market share gains

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22 Jul 21

Updated: 23 Jul 21

Unilever leaner,
cleaner, greener

Hygiene giant's WFH ceo
"strong essentials & care"

Unilever, the $50Bn+ hygiene, personal care, food & refreshments giant reported resilient financials during Covid hit Q1'21 WFHome CEO Alan Jape commented on progress of his key initiatives in nutrition and personal care brands

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22 Jul 21

Updated: 22 Jul 21

UPM print paper
recovers slightly

Biorefining boom offsets
slow comm paper sales

UPM Kymmene the world’s #3 papermaker, reported recovering results with sinking printer paper demand offset by new developing product categories. "Strong Biorefining demand drive our transformation from weaker paper demand" commented ceo Jussi Pesonen 

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21 Jul 21

Updated: 21 Jul 21

StoraEnso pivots
to packaging 

Closing paper capacity to
boost food & hygiene mkt

Top packaging-papermaker Stora Enso reported strong packaging revenues in Q1'21. New CEO Annica Bresky confirmed plans to cut huge printer paper capacity and invest in renewable packaging materials for the growing food and hygiene markets

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21 Jul 21

Updated: 23 Jul 21

Coke growth
regains sparkle

Business & cafe sales
comeback strongly

Coca-Cola 'Away from Home' (business supply inc.restaurants) market collapsed through Covid.  CEO James Quincey reported a powerful recovery  in Q2'21 and details of the new 'Touchless' environment that is driving innovation in drinks delivery

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