Bouncebackability
Reports are all in for Business Supply players in Q4'22. Predictably they show inflated profits but weak sales recovery v pre-Covid 'norm' Q4'19. Proficiency Index reports the Leaderboard of makers, wholesalers & dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance. It covers 100 leading paper & printer makers, hygiene, foodservice and packaging suppliers, OP/furnituremakers and retailers Updated
Healthy Hygiene
Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q4'22 analysis is almost complete with brand volumes slowing, boosted by double-digit price hikes. Updated for KPTissue, Sappi & Suzano. Diversey delayed to 22Mar
Top 50 Women
Marketing to businesses by brandmakers & resellers was traditionally dominated by men. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Proficiency Index recognises the most successful women leaders. This is 16th edition of 'Top 50 Women in Business Supply', the market's real growth achievers, including new entrants from progressive independent dealers.
Office Mkt Legends
It's 10yrs since the top OP mega-independent dealer champs Lyreco's Eric Bigeard and WBMason's Leo Meehan met with Staples CEO Ron Sargent in Boston. We reflected on past glories, Covid, digital transformation and looked forward to a 'hybrid office productivity' future..Updated
Hybrid work future
The contrast in opinions over the 'hybrid work future' & the 'return to work', is stark. New thinking is positive about the huge rise in entrepreneurial productivity. Old thinking believes a return to corporate office control is inevitable. Are corporations underestimating the hollowing out of office space; the time waste and the need to trust workers' motives? Updated
Novatech nooses
Leading US managed print services provider Novatech has expanded its coverage and portfolio with the acquisition of another MPS operator headquartered in Tennessee. Industry consolidation slowed during Covid, now its reviving in 2022/23
Fellowes refines
Much admired hygiene & wellness products marketer Fellowes Brands has made an exciting start to 2023 with the launch of Rising its ingenious colorful monitor arms; Array, the advanced air quality system in June at the 'Design Days' opening of its innovative office design centre in Chicago; and now the merger of furniture makers Trendway/ESI into 'One Fellowes' contract furniture brand. We discuss plans and trends with ceo John Fellowes...Updated
Bouncebackability
Reports are all in for Business Supply players in Q4'22. Predictably they show inflated profits but weak sales recovery v pre-Covid 'norm' Q4'19. Proficiency Index reports the Leaderboard of makers, wholesalers & dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance. It covers 100 leading paper & printer makers, hygiene, foodservice and packaging suppliers, OP/furnituremakers and retailers Updated
Healthy Hygiene
Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q4'22 analysis is almost complete with brand volumes slowing, boosted by double-digit price hikes. Updated for KPTissue, Sappi & Suzano. Diversey delayed to 22Mar
Eco champ Essity
Essity, the top international hygiene & health supplies maker, reported a powerful 'bouncebackability' performance from the pre-Covid norm in Q4'22. CEO Magnus Groth's growth strategy is bearing fruit v K-C, GP, P&G with strong volumes plus a powerful commitment to eco-friendly processes e.g. CO2 free production in its German mill.
Furniture mkt on
Furniture Market Review Q4'22: Covid crushed the corporate furniture market. Leading makers reported -30% demand declines, still nwell below 2019 norm. Meanwhile, WFH suppliers like Amazon, Wayfair, DWR (MillerKnoll) exploded with record revenues, now normalizing. We review leaders and new hybrid work developments accelerating the worklife confluence, wellness & ergonomics movement e.g. Fellowes
💜Proficiency Post
Celebrate Good Times, C'mon! 20yrs ago today Proficiency Post was launched to provide a rapid, intelligent news service for the International Broadline Business Supply Market. The goal to provide insightful analysis & interviews with progressive leading brandmakers, wholesalers & resellers...First! Our ongoing principle to help drive Productivity best practice services for user choosers in a Personalized way. The PP team looks forward with enthusiasm!
KP Tissue's roll
KP Tissue (ex-Kruger) the Canada based international brand tissue maker, recovered from a huge drop in demand in both consumer & business supply markets during Covid, boosted by high 20%+ price inflation. We analyse ceo Dino Bianco's opaque Q4'22 report
ECom packaging
DSSmith, the $8Bn European packaging giant and ex-owner of Spicers (until 2011), posted strong Q3'23 results to 31Jan'23. CEO Miles Roberts said it was boosted by the huge price rises on single digit volume growth in its ecommerce packaging business....
Top 50 Women
Marketing to businesses by brandmakers & resellers was traditionally dominated by men. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Proficiency Index recognises the most successful women leaders. This is 16th edition of 'Top 50 Women in Business Supply', the market's real growth achievers, including new entrants from progressive independent dealers.
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