The Proficiency
The Q2'22 reporting season is reaching a conclusion. Proficiency Index has analysed results to date and separated out the price inflation element from real volume performance. For example, Stora, Grainger, Navigator, IP, UPS, & Veritiv, all reported inflated profits fueled by high price hikes; a total of 80+ companies analysed to date...Updated
Healthy Hygiene
The #Paperless #Officeless #Touchless future is happening bigtime! Now hygiene is the #1 business supply category alongside tech. Progressive business suppliers: brand makers, dealers & MSP's have pivoted to sell customers hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech and wellness services.. We analyse Q2'22 reports, inc. this week Veritiv, KP Tissue & Suzano
Normal economic
"How this economic moment rewrites the rules. Jobs aplenty. Sizzling demand. If US headed for recession, it's taking an unusual route, with many markers of a boom" writes NY Times Ben Casselman. We discuss the article as it affects the business supply market...
Depot's deceitful
Beleaguered bigbox ODP Corp (aka-Office Depot-OfficeMax) reported another double-digit organic decline in Q2'22; -22% down on pre Covid 'norm' Q2'19; and down $5Bn since 2017. We analyse ceo Gerry 'Bizarro' Smith's deceptive report; the hollow and vague Varis&Veyer diversions plus his verbose BS commentary and Q&A session attended by the same one analyst again!
If Economy shaky,
Consumers are gloomy, but mostly working; the economy is slowing down to 2019 norms; the Fed wants it to keep slowing; and the recession obsessed Wall Street analysts are convinced the end is nigh. Meanwhile, strong profits are being reported in Q2'22 by Corporate America inc. business supply leaders, with optimistic outlooks for FY'22
Office furniture is
Ben Watson is overseeing the merger of Herman Miller and Knoll, with the belief that good design means good business. “The moment we’re in now, is the most intense that I’ve ever been in my career in furnishings” he said. NYTimes' Ben Birk reports
Uline: the ultimate
Uline, the leading packaging supplies distributor based in Pleasant Prairie (WI) has grown 7X in the past 10 years. The Uihlein family run powerhouse has a passion for products & customer service exemplified by CEO Liz Uihlein and continues to invest and hire hundreds of new workers
CCS Media sales
UK's leading independent office supplier CCS Media will break through the £300m ($375m) this year. Another year of powerful double digit growth. We speak with CEO James Hardy about long term investments in people development and creating an "authenticaaly positive business"
SHI's Thai Lee on
SHI International, based in Somerset (NJ) is a largely unknown, rapidly rising superstar, IT solutions provider. SHI’s ceo Thai Lee of thelargest minority and woman-owned business enterprise in the US shares 'The 5 things that contributed to her Success'
Ascend 'upcycles
There's a common perception products made with recycled materials are not as good as new materials. When it comes to recycling electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries, Ascend Elements Q&A session here, aims to reverse that view; from 'grave to cradle' aka Upcycling!
ServiceNow CEO:
The $15Bn SaaS powerhouse ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott proclaims: "We’re in a Market Of One. We are the workflow automation market leader, on our way to becoming the “platform of platforms”. CRN's Joseph Kovar interviews the ex-SAP chief on the meteoric rise of the software systems integrator
Longhorn lights up
Independent Supplies Group (ISG) introduced a new Spotlight feature focused on prominent members successfully deploying the marketing services of the group. We spoke to ceo Marcia Winkler and VP Mike Winkler about progress and plans...Weekend
Dyson call: "Go
Workers must be "unequivocally" told by Government leaders to return to the office or the US/UK will fall behind its global competitors, top international innovator Sir James Dyson has warned. "Sharing of knowledge is imperilled by the isolation of a WFH culture borne out of Covid contingency plans," he wrote.
Tatham's take on
Westcoast is now the UK's top technology products & services wholesaler driving the 'stockless reseller' (VARs/MSPs) renaissance. We met with ebullient MD Alex Tatham to get his take on progress, market movers and the top tech trends.
Carbonless
The UK's leading productivity services provider Commercial Group is on course to reach carbon 'net zero' target by 2028. We spoke with MD Simone Hindmarch about progress through the pandemic and the latest innovations inspired through greater team and client collaboration during the lockdown. Updated
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
