OPI TALK

Leading consumer and business products vendor ACCO Brands recently reported its 2023 financials. In this episode of OPI Talk, Andy Braithwaite caught up with ACCO CEO Tom Tedford to discuss the 2023 results as well as some recent developments at the company – including its divisional restructure and some category exits. Episode recorded and produced by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

A series of interviews from the show floor at Ambiente 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany. Mega consumer products show Ambiente took place in the German city of Frankfurt at the end of January. Following the demise of Paperworld as a standalone event in Frankfurt, this was the second year that Ambiente had included a special Working section for the traditional office products segment. OPI News Editor Andy Braithwaite spoke to a number of exhibitors to get their impressions of Ambiente Working and for a general business update. The podcast concludes with the thoughts of Messe Frankfurt’s Julia Uherek. The exhibitors featured are: Acme United, Novus-Dahle, Durable, Djois, Hopax, Tesa, and Edding. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI catches up with Mike Gentile shortly before he steps down as CEO of leading US dealer group ISG. Earlier this year, Mike Gentile announced he would be leaving ISG after almost 20 years at the organisation, most of that time as CEO. In this interview, recorded at ISG’s headquarters in November, Gentile reveals what his future plans are, looks back at the highlights of his tenure at the dealer group, and gives his thoughts on some of the key issues impacting the independent dealer channel in the US. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

If you are an OPI subscriber, you should have seen or even received the latest issue of OPI magazine, which is our annual Green Thinking issue. In keeping with that sustainability theme, for this podcast, News Editor Andy Braithwaite spoke with Bernhard Cantzler, the Marketing and Sales Director for Mondi’s Uncoated Fine Paper (UFP) business in the EMEA region. While many are quick to point out the environmental benefits of paper, this podcast covers some of the thornier issues related to papermaking, including the use of recycled versus virgin fibres, processes such as de-inking and bleaching, and the use of carbon offsetting to achieve sustainability goals. More on Mondi UFP’s sustainability initiatives can be found here. Episode recorded and produced by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI’s first chance to speak with incoming ISG CEO James Rodgers. It’s all change at the top of ISG, the biggest business products dealer group in the US, with long-time CEO Mike Gentile set to retire in a few weeks’ time. Succeeding him is 44-year-old James Rodgers, who joins the organisation following a successful career charging up through the ranks in both the office and facilities products distribution channels. In a visit to the ISG head office near Chicago (IL), OPI News Editor Andy Braithwaite had the opportunity to speak to Rodgers and ask him for his early impressions of the group and his thoughts on the independent dealer channel. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI Talk speaks to Ken Sweder following the closing of the transaction that has brought together leading US facilities and jan/san distributors BradyIFS and Envoy Solutions. The biggest deal this year in the jan/san distribution space is undoubtedly the one that has created a $5 billion group in the US – known, for the time being at least, as BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions. Leading the combined companies is Ken Sweder, and OPI News Editor Andy Braithwaite had the pleasure of catching up with him on a Teams call less than two weeks after the merger had been completed to find out what his plans are. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

Andy Braithwaite is joined by OPI Director Janet Bell to look at the upcoming OPI Global Forum taking place in Chicago. It promises to be another excellent OPI Global Forum, with a packed and relevant programme awaiting delegates who will gather at the Swissotel in Chicago from 5-7 November. In this episode of OPI Talk, OPI’s Janet Bell discusses some of the Forum’s highlights, including the hot topic of AI. There is a discounted delegate rate for the Global Forum that expires on 6 October. To take advantage of this, head over to the event’s website for more details. The full agenda of the Forum can be found here. www.opi.net/gf2023 Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

On 9 August, ACCO Brands CEO Boris Elisman announced he would be retiring as CEO of the company effective 1 October, with COO Tom Tedford stepping up to succeed him. Elisman has been with ACCO for 18 years, the past ten as CEO, and has been a regular guest on OPI Talk over the past three years – indeed, no one has taken part more times than him. In this episode, recorded on 14 August, Elisman looks back over his time at ACCO, reflecting on how the company has changed and navigated the ever-evolving market conditions. He also gives his take on current business trends and ACCO’s performance in the second quarter. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

As the US state of Arizona sweltered in temperatures exceeding 110°F (43°C), OPI Talk spoke to Ian Wist, General Manager of leading independent dealer Wist Business Products and Equipment – which is headquartered near Phoenix. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI Talk catches up with Acme United CEO Walter Johnsen following the release of the company’s Q2 earnings. Johnsen gives his take on a number of market areas and trends, including this year’s back-to-school season, the state of the economy, reducing supply chain risk and the office products channel. Episode recorded and produced by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

Jan Van Belleghem on why sustainability is core to the development of Interaction’s Q-Connect brand. European distributor alliance Interaction recently announced an initiative called Q-Conscious. OPI speaks to its Managing Director Jan Van Belleghem to find out more. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

This episode of OPI Talk takes us to Canada, where we catch up with COPA President Sam Moncada. Sam tells OPI about a recent training initiative launched by the association and then goes on to talk about the role of COPA and current trends in the Canadian business products market. Episode recorded and produced by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

The OPI European Forum is taking place in Amsterdam from 22-24 May 2023, but you can listen now to three of its keynote presenters. In this episode of OPI Talk, OPI Director Janet Bell goes through some of the highlights in store for attendees. You can also hear extracts of interviews with three high-level speakers who will be presenting and leading roundtables on key topics at the event: These are parts of more in-depth interviews that can be found on a new OPI webinar. To watch that webinar, click here. The early rate that offers significant discounts (in the hundreds of euros) on the standard price of attending the European Forum ends at midnight (UK time) on Sunday 30 April. Find out how to book your place on the Forum web page. The European Forum is just one of several events that OPI is organising in the coming months. These include a number of Executive Dinners that are exclusively open to OPI’s VIP, Corporate and Ultimate members. More details of memberships can be found here. In November, the OPI team will be heading to Chicago for the annual Global Forum, which is tailored specifically for leaders in the international workplace products segment. Registration is now open, with a $755 discount on the standard rate available until 30 June. As Janet mentioned in the podcast, she is currently taking part in the annual retreat of the Office Products Women in Leadership (OPWIL) organisation. Any female executives who are interested in finding out more about OPWIL or are interested in joining should click on this link. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

With cleaning and hygiene taking on even greater importance since the COVID pandemic, one way of driving productivity and efficiency gains is through a better understanding of data. In this episode of OPI Talk, Nancy Farrell, Senior Product Manager, Tork Services & Solutions at Essity discusses how data-driven cleaning benefits both facilities managers and frontline cleaners. Episode recorded and produced by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI Talk spoke to Acme United CEO Walter Johnsen shortly after the supplier’s FY2022 earnings conference call. Johnsen gives his frank assessment of Acme’s performance in 2022, provides more details of an acquisition in Europe and discusses future acquisition possibilities. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI Talk spoke with Boris Elisman straight after ACCO’s FY2022 earnings conference call. Last Thursday, 24 February, ACCO Brands published its Q4 and FY2022 earnings. In what was a year of two halves, the business products supplier managed to achieve organic sales growth despite a slowdown in consumer-related channels and a soft market for gaming products. In this podcast, Elisman, who is the 2023 Spirit of Life honouree, talks about the start to this year’s City of Hope fundraising efforts, ACCO’s performance last year, its new restructuring programme, and some of the market trends he is seeing. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

The March 2023 issue of OPI magazine will feature the inaugural Influential Women in the Business Products World list. To mark the occasion, the issue also includes a Big Interview with Beth Wright, Chief Commercial Officer at leading vendor, Fellowes Brands. In this Big Interview ‘teaser’ podcast, OPI CEO Steve Hilleard talks to Beth about how she got started in the business supplies sector, her rise to her current role at Fellowes and why there are so few women in leadership roles in the industry.

OPI Talk speaks to mother and daughter duo Kim Leazer and Beth Freeman, part of the leadership team at family-owned US independent dealer FSI Office. The two ladies represent the second and third generations at FSI, which was founded by Jimmy and Diane Godwin back in 1962. Among other things, they talk about generational change, renewing sales teams, women leaders in the business products industry, and the recent acquisition of wholesaler S.P. Richards. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

In the final OPI Talk podcast of 2022, Andy Braithwaite catches up with Charlie Kennedy, winner of the Professional of the Year prize at the 2022 North American Office Products Awards. Charlie discusses some of the opportunities in the US independent dealer channel, the priorities at his dealership, Kennedy Office, and his role as Chair of the Independent Office Products and Furniture Dealers Association. Episode recorded and edited by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

OPI CEO Steve Hilleard and News Editor Andy Braithwaite take a look back at the main business products stories from 2022 and make some predictions on what to look out for in 2023. Episode recorded and produced by Andy Braithwaite Music by: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r... Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg