Proficiency Post - breaking news and opinion in the office productivity market

Innovation drives 

United growth

Progressive independent  
resellers leading the charge

30 Jul 10 (Completed 1300 ET; 1800 UK time)

United Stationers, the US#1 OP wholesaler, earlier today reported solid and accelerating growth in Q2’10. Category extension, innovative marketing and ebusiness investments are paying off...

Read more: United Stationers - Q2'10 Financial Review

Iron Mountain’s
steady climb

eDiscovery archive solutions
inspire innovative partnerships

30 Jul 10
Iron Mountain (IM), the Boston based, leader in information management services yesterday reported steady growth results for Q2 ended 30 Jun 10. IM continued to drive archive innovation to help clients drive costs down..

Read more: Iron Mountain - Q2'10 Financial Review

Proficiency Index
First Annual Webstore Review
Survey #3 resumes...

Weblocked... 

unlocked at last

Open 24/7 - Your #1 priority

30 Jul 10

Today, the Proficiency Index team resumes Survey #3 of the immensely popular review of UK/US resellers’ webstores.

In the US we analyse: Guernsey OP; Phillips Group; S&T Office; Warden's and Innovative OS. In Canada: Beatties Basics. In the UK: Caboodle;  Excel Office; Irongate/OfficeThingy; Paperstone.

Read more: Proficiency Index; Webstore Survey #3

Breaking News

Piggyback
propaganda

Dirty Depot to denounce
USC kickback commissions

30 Jul 10 (Updated)

As anticipated yesterday, we confirm reports that Office Depot sales reps have begun contacting U.S. Communities (USC) customers and attempting to switch them immediately to their new consort The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN).

Read more: Piggyback propaganda - Dirty Depot to denounce kickbacks!

Ingram growth
accelerating

Technology 'refresh' drives
outstanding sales and profits

29 Jul 10

Ingram Micro, the world's largest technology distributor with $32Bn+ annual sales, today announced outstanding growth in sales and profits for Q2’10 ended 3 Jul’10.

The management team believe this will be one of the best years in their history with rates of sales growth accelerating in all categories and regions...

Read more: Ingram Micro - Q2'10 Financial Review

Amazon
re-Kindles growth

CEO Bezos bets on his low cost
ereader to outperform i-Pad

By Lucy Jermyn,

29 Jul 10
The best-selling Kindle ereader will be at the centre of Amazon's digital media strategy, says Jeff Bezos, CEO of the world’s #1 $30Bn in sales etailer

Read more: Amazon re-kindles growth

Keurig: the single
serve sensation

Roasting results from GMCR...
fastest growing OP category in US

29 Jul 10 (Updated 1600ET; 2100 GMT)
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), last night announced, continued outstanding results for its fiscal Q3’10 ended 26 Jun’10,

Again, it was a joy to listen to CEO Larry Blanford and his enthusiastic executive team give great insights into its success. GMCR is clearly focused on becoming the #1 single-serve beverage service provider...

Read more: GMCR Q3'10 Financial Review

Warden’s keep 
clear sales focus

New isgroup chairman riding
out the California crunch

29 Jul 10

Chris Peterson, is VP supplies division at Warden’s Office Supplies the leading office supply specialist in the Central Valley of California. We met Chris at the is.group June conference in Denver, just after he made his opening address as the new chairman. His resounding message to the resurgent group was sales! sales! sales! We discuss his plans...

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Warden's of California

Avery Office
in attack mode

Impressive mainstream sales
growth offset by lower office demand

28 Jul 10 (1430 ET; 1930 GMT)
Avery Dennison today announced Q2’10 results which showed strong sales growth, but a declining rate of profitability. Avery Office is readying itself to “invest and defend” its position in the marketplace...

Read more: Avery Dennison - Q2'10 Financial review

BTS delays
slow MWV

Sales and profits flat

28 Jul 10
MeadWestVaco the leading US packaging and stationery maker, reported a strong growth in its Q2’10 sales and profits. Unexpectedly, the consumer and office division slowed down...

Read more: MWV Q2'10 Financial review