WFH Winners
Amazon's amazing 40% growth to reach $10Bn in business supplies during the Covid quarter exposed the huge deficiencies in service levels from traditional OP dealers. Amazon became the default 'first call' supplier for 'Everything WFH supplies'. In spite of its dominance, many responsive progressive dealers pivoted powerfully to the new immediate market standards. We highlight the winners....Updated
Less means more
There's no doubt after 5mos of Covid lockdown & 'WFH' that future trends have been brought forward. Consider the acceleration in technology use by all ages: MCommerce, less commuting, Zoom meetings & conferences; hygiene, safety, health & wellness awareness; protective packaging. Moreover the shift towards a greener more sustainable world. We discuss the trends. Updated
Print/papermakers
Most leading OP, Paper & Print makers reported severe sales declines in Q2'20. Printer Paper demand is down 60%+ since 2008; another -30% in Q2;the shift to hygiene and packaging is huge. We analyse Q2 results. Updated today for Domtar
Deceitful Depot
Newly named ODP Corporation (ex-Office Depot-OfficeMax), sank at a deepening rate in Q2'20. OP core sales were crushed with hygiene essentials in retail & online softening the decline. We analyse CEO Gerry 'Smudger' Smith's hollow & misleading commentary and update on the 'white knight' life saver.
Will SPR investors
After many failed attempts Genuine Parts finally sold SPRichards to an Investor Group led by TSR's enterprising chief Yancey Jones (pic left). What's the plan? Will it continue a buying group bias or invest in broadline business supply to compete with Amazon? We review
W e s t c o a s t's
European independent tech distributor Westcoast recently reported 2019 financials inc. XMA tech services. Sales continue to grow double digits boosted by strong education & health care demand during Covid; and are forecast to reach $4Bn this year. We spoke with MD Alex Tatham
Hummels hikes
Hummels Office Plus the Mohawk, NY State business supplier has acquired a local rival to consolidate its position in the region dominated by WBMason. We discuss the move with CEO Justin Hummel, on Monday
Essentials e x i t s
Office Depot, the $9Bn beleaguered bigbox office supplier, continued to distract from its declining core sales, by acquiring larger dealers. The latest Office Essentials, St.Louis (MO), is the regional market leader. We review market exodus of independent OP resellers, including the status of the large member group, Pinnacle. Tuesday
CCL label sales
CCL Industries, the $5Bn in sales specialist labelmaker (inc. Avery), continued to report declining demand in Q2'20 with Covid 'essentials' market channel sales unable to offset non-essential market collapse.
Print/papermakers
Most leading OP, Paper & Print makers reported severe sales declines in Q2'20. Printer Paper demand is down 60%+ since 2008; another -30% in Q2;the shift to hygiene and packaging is huge. We analyse Q2 results. Updated today for Domtar
Doomtar down
Leading US papermaker Domtar Corporation accelerated its decline in Q2'20, exacerbated by Covid. An active protectionist, complacent CEO John Williams is closing capacity and repurposing mills for packaging & tissue making; and now considering sales of the personal care division
Avnet adversity
Avnet, the slimmed down $18Bn in sales, leader in electronics distribution & services disappointed again with a deeper decline in sales and profits in Q4'20. CEO Bill Amelio departed 2 days ago and new interim chief Phil Gallagher (pic left) takes over
Insight regains
Insight Group CEO Ken Lamneck (pic left) reported declining organic sales in Q2'20 boosted by the PCM acquisition in Aug'19. The group lags leading IT resellers e.g. CDW, Compucenter, Softcat & Synnex. Can it really become a serious competitor whilst it focuses on integration?
KP Tissue rolls
KP Tissue (previously known as Kruger), the Canada based leading international brand tissue maker, continued to win share in the US consumer & business supply market with its quality brands drive, boosted by price rises
Cascades Tissue
Leading Canadian tissue & board maker Cascades reported higher sales growth in the Covid boosted hygiene market. CEO Mario Piourde's optimism was obviously dented by the pandemic's spread through Q2
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