H o w N o w
VOW, the leading UK OP wholesaler, part of the EVO Group, continued its 10yr long decline in 2021 in spite of acquisitions, the collapse of rival Spicers; and ignorantly missed, broadline business supply expansion opportunities. Moreover, losses continued. What happened to VC owner Endless' much lauded investment in growth initiatives?
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 Q3'22 analysis is nearing completion with brands' volumes slowing, boosted by double digit price hikes. Complete
Can dealers pass
We've written exhaustively about the need for OP dealers to convert from 'transactional' product suppliers to 'personalised productivity services' providers inc. hygiene, foodservice & packaging. Amazon is winning the transactional battle with same day delivery of broadline business supplies to WFH users. Can dealers pass the 3pt conversion test? We discuss and highlight the best practice services providers? Complete
Industrial supply
Q3'22 financial reports for leading industrial supply distributors are nearing completion e.g. Fastenal, Motion, MSC, Grainger, Wesco, Arrow, Berry, DXP show double-digit sales growth boosted by price hikes; and higher profits. Proficiency Index reviews the performance of the Top 20 US distributors in 2022 with insightful analysis and discussion with leaders, progress and plans for 2023. Updated
'OPeless, OPaque
Proficiency Index is reaching the conclusion of Q3'22 reports analysis. It has become obvious that many OP market CEO's, who have failed to reinvent their companies, are in denial; and desperately trying to mislead the market over their incompetence. We highlight the Top 10 losers and contrast with Top 10 winners...
Energizer's f l a t
Energizer the enterprising personal care & battery supplier to businesses, lost battery's market share in Q3'22 after a strong recovery during WFH/Hybrid working. It performed steadily in autocare but lower volumes were offset by high price increases.
Industrial supply
Q3'22 financial reports for leading industrial supply distributors are nearing completion e.g. Fastenal, Motion, MSC, Grainger, Wesco, Arrow, Berry, DXP show double-digit sales growth boosted by price hikes; and higher profits. Proficiency Index reviews the performance of the Top 20 US distributors in 2022 with insightful analysis and discussion with leaders, progress and plans for 2023. Updated
ISG Industry Week:
Independent Supplies Group's (ISG) Industry Week’22event in Vegas finished on Friday. The focus was on future of office working; the pivot from B2B to B2C purchasing by users; the business supply productivity tools and services needed. We review with CEO Mike Gentile and attendees, the top takeaways that can help dealers adapt to the new challenges in hygiene, packaging and foodservice supply. Updated
Amazon eases
Amazon Is planning to trim 10,000 workers from its 1.54M workforce, according to NYTimes. Most layoffs are in the devices division and headquarters. Since 2019 employee numbers have doubled from 800,000 to 1.6M. The growth in AWS, advertising and business supplies continues at high double digit rates...
D i s t o l o g y's
Last Thursday, tech publisher CRN celebrated the industry's Channel Awards 2022 in London, for best performing vendors, distributors and resellers. Brand leaders Samsung, HP, Synnex, Westcoast, CMS and Distology all featured strongly plus the recognition of the many rising stars. Full details and winners comments here...
Envoy cleans up
The hygiene & packaging market rages on with M&A activity! Advent's Imperial Dade & FEMSA's Envoy Solutions lead the way in rolling up regional jansan dealers. Envoy ceo Mark Fisher just announced the acquisition of a California chems maker and cleaning services provider (total +27 to date) moving it towards $1.8Bn sales...
Keurig: ceo trouble
Keurig Dr Pepper CEO Ozan Dokmecioglu resigned suddenly from his post after just 3 months due to unspecified violations related to his personal conduct. Former chief now chairman Bob Gamgort (pic left)will resume his ceo role. Watch this space...
Staples/DEX SE
Staples acquired Dex Imaging in Feb'19. After an initial flurry of MPS reseller purchases it paused during Covid. Now along with the Top 8 US Managed Tech Services providers, acquisition activity has re-accelerated. Dex's Dan Doyle is doubling down in the Carolinas and Florida
3 D P r i n t i n g
3D printing leaders Stratasys (MakerBot) & 3D Systems recovered from pre Covid norm, but losses continued in Q2322. The 3D market bubble has truly burst, yet management optimism is still rife in spite of reality. Meanwhile, both are consolidating acquistions to deflect from organic decline with continued losses
Sylvamo saved by
Top international packaging maker International Paper, spun off its papermaking unit in Oct'21, now renamed Sylvamo (sounds like shampoo!). New ceo Jean-Michel Ribiéras reported on hugely inflated, price boosted sales and profits, but with few details provided on falling volumes?
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
