The Proficiency
The Q2'22 reporting season is reaching a conclusion. Proficiency Index has analysed results to date and separated out the price inflation element from real volume performance. For example, Stora, Grainger, Navigator, IP, UPS, & Veritiv, all reported inflated profits fueled by high price hikes; a total of 80+ companies analysed to date...Updated
Healthy Hygiene
The #Paperless #Officeless #Touchless future is happening bigtime! Now hygiene is the #1 business supply category alongside tech. Progressive business suppliers: brand makers, dealers & MSP's have pivoted to sell customers hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech and wellness services.. We analyse Q2'22 reports, inc. this week Veritiv, KP Tissue & Suzano
Normal economic
"How this economic moment rewrites the rules. Jobs aplenty. Sizzling demand. If US headed for recession, it's taking an unusual route, with many markers of a boom" writes NY Times Ben Casselman. We discuss the article as it affects the business supply market...
Depot's deceitful
Beleaguered bigbox ODP Corp (aka-Office Depot-OfficeMax) reported another double-digit organic decline in Q2'22; -22% down on pre Covid 'norm' Q2'19; and down $5Bn since 2017. We analyse ceo Gerry 'Bizarro' Smith's deceptive report; the hollow and vague Varis&Veyer diversions plus his verbose BS commentary and Q&A session attended by the same one analyst again!
If Economy shaky,
Consumers are gloomy, but mostly working; the economy is slowing down to 2019 norms; the Fed wants it to keep slowing; and the recession obsessed Wall Street analysts are convinced the end is nigh. Meanwhile, strong profits are being reported in Q2'22 by Corporate America inc. business supply leaders, with optimistic outlooks for FY'22
Late FedEx follows
At last, FedEx Corp has 150 BrightDrop zero-emissions trucks rolling on LA highways as it transitions towards EV deliveries. New CEO, 31yrs veteran Raj Subramaniam's major task is to transform the laggard into a leader, given the 'same as the old boss' critics' pessimism..
MSC Indl supply
MSC Industrial Supply, a leading $4Bn MRO distributor reported continued double digit growth in Q3'22. CEO Erik Gershwind was positive about demand forecasts and higher profitability ahead of the market index
What do hybrid
Like many, technology firm Augury ditched its NY City office during Covid. With few people coming in, and most working remotely, paying rent on an empty office was a waste. But the need for an office didn’t go away completely, so it consulted its people before designing a new hybrid working environment, reports Fast Company's Nate Berg.
Staples' 5th Anniv
In June'17 vulture capitalist Sycamore Partners bought Staples for $6.9Bn. The industry quaked! What has happened since? Proficiency Post chronicled its demise from $16Bn down to a current $8Bn with the ex-powerhouse a shell of its former self. What do leading vendors and IDC think? We surveyed and report here to date
TDSynnex stalled.
Synnex, the #1Global IT wholesaler that merged with TechData last summer, was seriously disrupted by Asian supply problems, after benefiting strongly during WFH. CEO Rich Hume commented opaquely about marginal organic growth in its Q2'23 financial review. Updated
Bain's Imperial
VC Bain Capital appears to have answered a big question on its investment plans with Imperial Dade, the hygiene, food service and packaging ("HyFoPack") distributor roll up? Will it 'strip & flip' or invest in integrating systems and distribution facilities? It just opened a huge new Alabama warehouse led by the integration team....
Innovative invests
Mason's Blizzard
Warren Buffett owned Dairy Queen (DQ) had issues with business supplier WBMason's labeling of its 'Blizzard' branded water, but the Minnesota federal judge ruled 'no customer confusion'. DQ sued in 2018 but WB's lawyers were always confident claims were "ridiculous". PP dives inside the saga...Updated
Amazon replaces
Dave Clark, long time head of Amazon Worldwide Consumer division is leaving on July 1 to become chief executive of supply chain technology startup Flexport. CEO Andy Jassy has apponted another veteran to replace him, who established the 'Fresh' grocery delivery business back in 2007.
FedEx: fueled by
Retiring FedEx chief Fred 'Smug' Smith made his final report on inflated Q4'22 results today. Three rounds of high price hikes boosted sales, disguised a serious market share decline. It's losing large to UPS & Amazon; and the 'market cap gap' has widened to $89Bn compared with similarly sized UPS? The future seems same old, same old under his successor?
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