Battler Baitler
back on his bike 

Ex-Staples legend talks
Atlas & Depot's progress

After a year of successfully battling pancreatic cancer ex-Staples legend Jay Baitler is back on his bike and resuming his PE firm Atlas Holding's lead role in TOPS and especially ODP Group. We discussed his progress and plans to rejuvenate Depot and expand into the broader business supplies market. Full story here, first... Updated

Eakes seeks $100m
business svcs goal

Progressive spec'list providr 
of hygiene & MTS support

Eakes Office Solutions the Grand Island, Nebraska based business supplier has made strong progess in recent years, expanding into hygiene and managed technology services. We spoke with CEO Mark Miller about its remarkable expansion into specialist growth categories and exciting plans for future. Full story here, first.... Updated

Kenworthy growth
Storey tops $100m

Sister Workspace's partner
Steelcase drive hybrid offices

Des Moines (IA) based Storey Kenworthy is the states leading full service office supplier, featuring powerful interior design and promotional products. We discussed ceo John Kenworthy's progressive plans inc wholesalers, competitors, acquisitions & WFH/RTO trends. Full story here, first, updated

Office360 outsmarts
embattled bigboxes

Progressive Indy independent
leads 

MidWest growth 

drive

Top 10 US progressive Office360, the indianapolis based business supplies reseller has maintained its market leadership in the midwest as the bigbox players sink. Proficiency Post spoke to CEO Steve Nahmias about its resilence since Covid; its growth in hygiene and foodservice categories; its new contacts success; and its battles with bigboxes and Amazon. Full story here, first...

Buffetti best from
"Tech with a smile"

Villa "Transforming stationers
w AI, cyber & digital services"

We've known Francesco Villa, Gruppo Buffetti retail services chief (ex-Spicers Italy) for 20yrs+. We attended his BigBuyer conference in Nov'25 and followed up with an exclusive interview. We discussed progress of its 700+ stores (makes Ryman look redundant!); and the success of its software-digital services. Here's how latest "tech with a smile" enabled retail stores to thrive against all the odds. Full story here, first 

Ingram's Paul Bay:
Is it an AI Bubble?

CEO Advice:Listen.Be Curious,
Hire ppl that challenge you!

$50Bn in sales tech distributor Ingram Micro's ceo Paul Bay spoke with The Channel Company's Stuart Sumner at the 2025 XChange Best of Breed conference in Atlanta on a number of topics including: when end users will use AI for commercial projects; his achievements; what's top of his agenda; plus advice for senior pro's looking to step up to CEO. Full story here, first

Guernsey regains
growth momentum

Family firm refreshed! Revives
furniture-foodservice strength

I just spoke with OP industry leader, veteran Dave Guernsey after a 5yrs+ pause. "Yes we were hit badly by Covid, WFH and more recently by DoGE in our DC market. We've bounced back and driven into new categories eg MRO and foodservice; and ironically, done well in our core contract interiors business". Full story here, first...

"Greatest marketer,
way ahead of time!"

Legend Howard Brown pays

 
tribute to innovator Bill Pichler

Today we spoke with legendary OP dealer Howard Brown, ex-chief of NY/NJ based Summit & Allied. We reflected on the renowned innovator's admiration for the late ex-Eastman leader Bill Pichler, his mentor and visionary inspiration. Both one source developers of customer productivity services, Bill in interiors/FM services; Howard in coffee services. Great lessons and insights into the future...Later today

Michael Brown sky
high AI cleaning...

From HiTouch business supply
to robotic building services

Michael Brown the enterprising tech driven ex-ceo of HiTouch Business Services and son of OP legend Howard Brown (Summit & Allied) founded Skyline Robotics in 2020. Skyline provides an AI driven robotic window cleaning service for big city skyscrapers e.g NYC, London. We met with Michael in London yesterday to discuss progress and plans....Later today

Reflections on how
(OP) life used to be?

Ex-European Stnrs chief on
most admired leader qualities

Almost all leaders we've spoken to recently emphasized "relationships" as the common success factor between brands, wholesalers, resellers and customers. Ex-European Stationers' 'character in chief' Peter Hulme certainly exemplifies this and reflects on the glory years of the OP market. Weekend update, sorry