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
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
Verso Paper's
Verso Paper, the $2.7Bn papermaker, has engaged strategic financial advisers to pursue a possible merger or sale. Q2'20 results confirm its seriously critical position including mill closures and sale of another to match declining demand
Iron Mountain:
Iron Mountain ex-global leader in info' services reported steady Q2'20 results. CEO Bill Meaney's opaque reporting seems geared to disguise its decline with reactionary late moves into digital & cloud storage.
Sealed Air: steady
Sealed Air Corporation, the $5Bn maker of protective packaging for food & FM products reported commendable results in Q2'20.. CEO Ted Doheny credited its 'Reinvent' strategy for huge profit improvements during the Covid quarter
Conduent sinks
Conduent, the much hyped ex-Affiliated Computer Services company, now 3 years split from Xerox, declined again in Q2'20. The CEO appointed by Chainsaw Carl Icahn is under review but gained some valuable government business to ease the Covid hit
3D P r i n t i n g
3D printing leaders Stratasys (MakerBot) & 3D Systems continued to report serious declines in demand and losses in Q2'20. The bubble has truly burst plus HP has yet to be successful shift into the industrial market. The Covid crisis just exacerbated their terminal decline
CDW boosted by
CDW, the $18Bn international reseller of IT products & services, reported a commendably slight Covid hit Q2'20. US Public sector demand grew strongly, offset by weak Corp & SMB markets. CEO Christine Leahy commented positively about its integrated solutions prospects
Wayfair's wonder
Wayfair, the $10Bn in sales US/UK home & office furnishings etailer, reported blockbuster sales growth in Q2'20 . The Covid induced WFH lockdown proved a wonderful boost for businesses updating their home working facilities
Veritiv crashes in
Veritiv, the leading US paper & packaging wholesaler, continued its terminal tailspin. As an 'essentials' supplier during Covid its sales decline rate shockingly accelerated. How much longer will investors tolerate incompetent management of this imploding acquisition target?
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