Lyreco Europe
leaders leaving?

More management changes
for global #1 Indie reseller

Global #1 independent business supplier Lyreco is enjoying its centenary year with celebratory events happening throughout its international network. Maybe one concern, amidst one of the most admired industry operators is the recent management changes inc. the exits of country managers in UK and Germany. We hope to discuss with ceo Greg Lienard, this week. 

MillerKnoll: Hybrid
office growth slows

Prices hide -40% volume fall
v'19. US Contract improving?

MillerKnoll the recently relegated #2 US furnituremaker, maintained its focus on hybrid offices, but with limited success. Can interim CEO Jeff Stutz be more transparent than predecessor Andi Owen? He said "We delivered a strong Q4 relative to the expectations". Full report analysis here, first

Amazon advances
BacktoSchool buys

Early shoppers spreading the
cost over the summer months

The big retailers are promoting back-to-school sales earlier this year, with deals already avaiable..Walmart is touting back-to-school dorm furniture and electronics. Target is discounting backpacks. And Amazon.com is highlighting curated lists of back-to-school Prime Day deals that start June 23. Full story here, first 

Neocon nullified
by Design Days?

Big furniture brands switch
to Fulton Market, Chicago

Neocon has been the go-to event for furniture market players since the 1960s. In recent years though there has been a shift led by leaders Miller Knoll and Fellowes to the Fulton Market. Now the only leader left at Neocon is Haworth! Why? Attendees say its a fresher, more immersive experience in a vibrant neighborhood with more relaxed, design-forward showrooms. Full analysis here, first...Updated inc great Neocon report from Haworth

Who wins the
Workspace race?

Independents extend lead
over bigboxes in US & UK

Proficiency Post has interviewed most of the Top 40 business supply resellers in the US & UK this year. A notable and rising trend in a depressed office furniture market has been the remarkable growth of regional independents. Furniture used to be 15%/sales now trending at a remarkable 40-50%. We review the market and list the most progressives. Full analysis here, first updated

MillerKnoll's Owen
to leave "Pity City" 

Complacent ceo exits after
8yrs of steep volume decline 

MillerKnoll the recently relegated #2 US furnituremaker, has agreed to part ways with complacent CEO Andi Owen after 8yrs of decline in spite of the big merger in 2021. Owen championed growth rhetoric re-hybrid office design, but it turned out to be hollow hype as sales volumes plunged -40% from 2019 levels.  Full report analysis here, first 

Papermkrs partner
to stall sinking sales

Sappi/UPM in defensive JV. 
Annual synergies $100m?

As reported by Proficiency Post in Dec'25, leading papermaker UPM has signed an agreement to form a Joint Venture with Sappi,“This is a necessary step to secure commitment and supply for graphic paper customers in Europe and strengthen the industry,” says Massimo Reynaudo, CEO of UPM. Full story here, first...

Printrmakrs prices
save sliding volume

Canon, Ricoh, Epson, Brother,
Kyo, Konica reports analysis

The big 6 Japanese printermakers are now reported Q1'26 results. Volumes are well down on pre Covid norm in Q1'20. So how will these major brands reinvent themselves as price increases disguise decline? We analyse here, first: Canon, Epson, Kyo, Brother; Ricoh, Konica. Complete

Navigator volume
and prices plunge

Paper demand slowdown
Tissue sales growth stalls

Portugal's Navigator Paper, the leading quality brand papermaker, reported depressed results in Q1'26. "Paper & Pulp came under severe pressure with a sharp downturn in pulp prices in China with an impact in Europe and falling prices across the board" reported ceo Antonio Redondo. Full analysis here, first 

UPM printer paper
deliveries plunge

CEO downsizing operations

with complacent comments

UPM the world’s #3 papermaker, reported plunging printer paper volumes again and lower prices in Q1'26. CEO Massimio Reynaudo commented complacently again "We achieved a good start to the year and focused on our balanced portfoilio"? Full report anaysis here first