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3 Oct 22

Updated: 3 Oct 22

Amazon's robot to
pick 1000 skus/hr

3D & AI powered 'pinch &
grasp' boosts productivity

Amazon's prototype 'Pick & Grasp' robotic picker is the latest development aiming to increase efficiency in its 200+ fulfillment centers. Innovations in a minimum clicks, webstore user experience; AWS cloud services; carbon reduction pledge; EV deliveries and automated warehouse systems look set to sustain its long term busines supply market leadership

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3 Oct 22

Updated: 3 Oct 22

ImperialDade bag
54/55th acquistns 

Rapid rollup: will owners
integrate or strip & flip?

VCs Bain Capital & Advent joint owned Imperial Dade, continued the rapid roll-up of regional hygiene, food service & packaging suppliers in the US/Canada. The latest moves in Alabama and Quebec track a path pioneered by Bunzl, followed by FEMSA-Envoy & BradyIFS. The persistent question mark continues: will VC's really invest in systems and brand integration?

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29 Sep 22

Updated: 29 Sep 22

Sappi sells paper
mills to vultures

Europe 700K tons/capacity
set up for asset strip & flip

Leading paper and packaging maker Sappi Group has agreed to sell 3 major European paper mills to the vulture capitalist that accelerated the disintegration of Office Depot. Moreover, the VC doubled down in the dying print industry with another acquisition? You couldn't make this stuff up!

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28 Sep 22

Updated: 29 Sep 22

MillerKnoll's hybrid

work growth stalls

WFH concepts offset soft,
returning office demand

MillerKnoll the enlarged #1furnituremaker maintained its focus on strong WFH demand, with the contract market recovering but slowing orders. Retail designs stalled after recent styrong growth. Upbeat ceo Andi Owen is focused on strong WFH demand, mobile systems innovation and integration of Knoll.

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28 Sep 22

Updated: 28 Sep 22

R e s t a u r a n t s'
return  r o l l i n g 

Baird Survey reports
rising user demand

According to respected Baird Real-Time Restaurants Survey reports, on major chains representing $11Bn in revenues, consumer demand has accelerated throughout the summer months up to  Sept25. Moreover, compared with pre Covid norm 2019 restaurant revenues are up over 20% fed by double digit price inflation...

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28 Sep 22

Updated: 30 Sep 22

Amazon buyers
want WFH delivery 

Procurement study cnfms
'normal' hybrid/CSR trends

Amazon Business ($80Bn+ sales) division's 2nd annual study confirmed the megatrend towards "easy" online procurement across all customer channels, along with an increased focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Moreover, acknowledgement of rapid and reliable, local delivery driver service... 

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28 Sep 22

Updated: 28 Sep 22

Cintas' resilient
revenue recovery

Uniform, Health & Safety
Services growth returns

Cintas, the $8Bn uniform services specialist, continued its powerful sales recovery in Q1'23. CEO Todd Schneider (pic left) plans to accelerate retired Scott Farmer's 'Ready for the Workday' strategic direction shift towards higher profitability. 

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28 Sep 22

Updated: 28 Sep 22

Why hedging over
hybrid work trend?

Quocirca Future survey's
statements of the obvious

"Demand for hybrid working and employment market turbulence is changing the role of the corporate office technology environment" states Quocirca’s Future of Work 2025 study. Sadly, this lightweight survey leans heavily towards the diminishing printer market and ignores the huge productivity advantages for the growing army of 'anywhere office' workers

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27 Sep 22

Updated: 28 Sep 22

Envoy cleans up
18th acquisition 

FEMSA & Advent battle
blazes in hygiene supplies

The hygiene and packaging market is on fire with M&A activity happening almost weekly! Bunzl, Advent's Imperial Dade, FEMSA's Envoy and BradyIFS lead the way in rolling up regional jansan dealers. Envoy ceo Mark Fisher just announced its 18th acquisition of a jansan supplier based in Florida to move beyond $1.6Bn sales...

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27 Sep 22

Updated: 29 Sep 22

DPD's Plug & Play
D2C partnership

Sustainable delivery svcs
dedicated to SMB/startups

Europe's #1 parcel delivery service DPD Group announced the reinforcement of its Direct to Consumer (D2C) strategy with a new partnership via best-in-class worldwide startups that will be working on key innovation challenges to provide the best consumer experience.

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