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Penketh's progress
workspace design
Are furnituremakers losing in
flexible, hybrid workspaces?
The progressive Penketh Group based in Liverpool and Manchester (UK) has long been an innovative, customer productivity driven reseller. As office supplies declined over the past 15 years, it shifted its strategic growth focus to interiors design and hybrid workspace design, now 75% of sales. We spoke with ceo Mark Penketh about progress and plans. Updated
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Lane a Harbinger
for Rep groups...
Leading vendors' drive into
the hygiene, MRO markets
Much admired sales and marketing leader Barry Lane, served Avery for 42 years before taking over the reins at Mike Rowsey's, Harbinger Rep Group on 1Jan'26. With a salesforce of 40 seasoned and skilled professionals it has a powerful national presence supporting leading brands in the hygiene and MRO space. We discussed Barry's progress and plans here, first...complete
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United uncovers
Hospitality space
Lloyd leads ex-OP reseller
into HyPac growth market
PP has followed the fortunes of Darren Lloyd CEO of United Managed Services, the UK based national reseller of foodservice, hospitality supplies from its formation in 2007. United have been tremendously successful in recent years winning major contracts in the restaurant supply market v big box operators. We discussed progress and plans with Darren today. Full story here, first...complete
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Mills' Personalized
Productivity pace
Canadian dealer's trek from
OP to hygiene,foodservice etc
Blair Mills ceo Mills Office Productivity took over the Vancouver reseller from his brother Brad in 2019. He has maintained its enterprising spirit and total commitment to sustainability in providing productivity solutions for customers. Hurt by Covid, wholesalers' exodus, dealer group dimunition and Imperial Brady's activity; progress has been a struggle but light is ahead. Full profile here, first...complete
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Bob M a i r e n a's
BlueSpace vision
How SoCal leader adapted
dynamism to value-add mkts
We first visited Bob Mairena ceo OfficeSolutions, Yorba Linda (CA) in 2008 when sales were $30m. Always progressive, always strategic, Bob has adapted his dynamic delivery model from OP, to BlueSpace interiors, to hygiene supply to meet its primary health care & education customer needs. Full profile here, first...complete
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Dave Guernsey's
growth plan is go!
Sustains Covid,Govt cuts.
Bounceback reenergized
Dave Guernsey founded his namesake office supplier 55yrs ago with a mission of providing the lowest cost solution in the DC market. A highly respected 'presidential' leader he's been a catalyst for progressive change, leading dealer group initiatives, single source systems and IDC reinvention. We discussed plans for succession and broadline business supply development. Report here...complete
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Emerald embraces
growth challenge
Ex-Mason mgr making Philly
family dealer drive reinvention
Philadelphia based Emerald Business Supply's sales and marketing chief Jaret Lyons left WBMason when Covid struck in 2020. Six years later he has led his company's doubling in size to join the Top 30 US dealers list. We discussed with Jaret the remarkable progress, category expansion plans, wholesalers and software development . Full story here, first ...Updated
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SPR: Springs back
from ESND exam
Horst:"Dealers collaboration
is optimizing order fill rates"
CNG Paper & Packaging distribution giant acquired US OP wholesaler SPRichards in Jan'23. CNG's Jason Horst was appointed ceo in Apr'25 and soon after was faced with a huge challenge when vulture Sycamore exited Essendant's $800m OP business inc. selling 4 of its larger DC's. We spoke with Jason about the transition, progress and leading dealers' feedback. Full story here, first...updated
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Innovative makes
specialist moves
Brooks Smith: Lights growth
opps in office productivity
Innovative Office Solutions, the Minneapolis based, leading US progressive business supplier, has recovered well after the tragic passing of ceo Jennifer Smith in 2022. Husband Brooks and the extended family have rallied remarkably well. Brooks talks about progress and his "specialist 6 pack" category growth strategy. Full story here, first....Complete
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The Supply Room:
Furniture in bloom
Yancey's thoughts on svcs,
w/salers,rivals,growth opps
The Supply Room, the Richmond (VA) based US #2 business reseller has shown resilience in recovery from the Covid caused OP crash with powerful growth in furniture and interiors. We spoke with Yancey Jones Jr about progress and reinvention plans in the broadline business supply market. Full story here, first.... Updated
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