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1 Aug 20

Updated: 4 Aug 20

Ed Barnshaw:

Mad M a n k i n d
P e r s o n i f i e d

Shock death of Quality guy.
Larger than life, fun legend

Sadly Ed Barnshaw (pic left, on left), the UK business supply entrepreneur and ex-owner of Quality Office Products died yesterday in a tragic fall accident. Like many of his numerous friends and colleagues, we pay tribute to an unforgettable character who lit up the OP industry over the past 20 years. He will be greatly missed. RIP

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 4 Aug 20

Sappi's sinking
paper demand

Packaging steady with
Covid crushing sales

Sappi, the South African based international papermaker, reported another set of disappointing results, made worse by Covid. Whilst acknowledging the business is under pressure what is CEO Steve Binnie's (pic left) reinvention strategy?

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 4 Aug 20

Depot dumpster
filled by Aurelius

Euro exodus etc: Viking
Spain sold. Bin France?

Vulture capitalist Aurelius acquired Office Depot's $2Bn Euro operations in 2017 with a growth strategy fanfare. Sales in 2019 were down 50%; then Covid accelerated its death rattle. Disposals in Central Europe, Nordics; now Spain twice, next France, has destroyed its dodgy commitment and accelerated its disposal programme.

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 4 Aug 20

Navigator's paper
demand disrupted 

Tissue & Pulp resilient
relief for Covid vol crash

Portugal's Navigator Company, the leading quality brand papermaker, reported a huge drop in paper demand in Q2'20. Stronger tissue demand and pulp production offset some of the damage to sales and profits

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 1 Aug 20

Berry acquisition
disguises decline

Protectiv packaging maker
losing hygiene mkt share?

Leading protective packaging maker Berry Global Group reported slow Q3'20 organic growth. The $6Bn acquisition of RPC boosted sales and profits hiding underlying weakness in its core business

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 4 Aug 20

Newell Brands'
house of cards?

Will ex-Max messer Ravi
reinvent or wreck vendor?

Newell Brands, a leading house of business & consumer brands, continued to report deeply declining sales in Q2'20. Can CEO 'Ridiculous' Ravi Saligram lover of hollow corporate cliches turn it around? Early 'fiddling' tactics are not promising

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 31 Jul 20

E p s o n  i n k s
printer  p l u n g e

High-cap eco tanks flat
VCom & wearables down

Epson, a leading printer and visual presentation products maker continued to decline in all its product categories in Q1'21 ended 30 June.. CEO reported the damaging effect of US tariffs and Covid for its market depression

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31 Jul 20

Updated: 4 Aug 20

Konica's crashing
MPS demand

Plunging print worsened
by Covid hit US & Europe

Konica Minolta the $10Bn Japanese MPS/printer group published deeply declining sales in Q1'21 ended 30 Jun'20. It looks unlikely that it will resume an acquisition drive to compete with Xerox/HP's moves for the few large MPS providers remaining?

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30 Jul 20

Updated: 3 Aug 20

AMZNIFICATION
wins WFH supply

Covid crisis custom made
for end consumer delivery

Amazon's phenomenal sales growth accelerated at 40% in the Covid hit Q2'20, 2X 2019 rates. Business Supplies growth was boosted by WFHome deliveries of 'essentials' inc. tech, hygiene & food supplies. The 'Everything Store' became consumers 'first call' broadline supplies provider

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30 Jul 20

Updated: 31 Jul 20

Apple aces with
WFH Macs/iPads

Services & Watch surge
outstrips weaker iPhones

Apple, the ultimate personal productivity tool designer, reported strong sales & profits in Covid hit Q3'20 boosted by WFH sales of Macs & iPads. Surging Services & the Apple Watch (stormed to $30Bn+pa sales) offset slower sales of iPhones

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