Penfold’s base (Credit: Yahoo Australia)
Penfold by Office Choice and Toner Express join to form United Office Choice.
Australia-based independent office supplies dealer Penfold by Office Choice has announced that has merged with Melbourne toner and ink cartridge supplier Toner Express, which reportedly has a turnover of AUS$13 million ($12.3 million/€9 million), to form United Office Choice.
The move is said to be well supported by Office Choice head office, which is “proud to see its prominent dealer further develop business breadth despite a challenging market”; with Greg Barraclough, who operates eight Office Choice locations across four Australian states, explaining that “businesses have really modified their behaviour, the way they operate has fundamentally changed; it’s mostly to do with increased budgets, technological advancements and the trend of a paperless society”.
Barraclough, who has been in the office products industry for 30 years, also commented on his nine-year involvement with the Office Choice group: “They’re an excellent organisation to be a member of. The financial rewards are important but honestly, their internal systems are second to none.”
Barraclough will be the “front man” of newly formed United Office Choice, with the merging of the two companies being discussed for a number of years between him and Owner and Director of Toner Express, Douglas Lee, who said: “I like Greg’s work ethic. He’s a no nonsense operator. That’s the way business should be done. I’m looking at retiring soon. He’ll have to put up with me for a little longer.”
Expressing his enthusiasm for the future of the business, Barraclough added: “Everything we do is about challenging ourselves and making inroads to something bigger and better. I couldn’t think of anything more exciting than joining forces with a reputable business like Toner Express. Douglas and I were good operators in our own right. But together, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”
Meanwhile Brad O’Brien, CEO of Office Choice, commented: “Greg and Douglas are consummate professionals. Genuine business people want the best for their future and have the foresight to see efficiencies. It’s about having a vision and doing everything you can to shape your future. It’s a similar sentiment to our long term brand plan.”
The Recycler reported in August that Penfold questioned the Australian government’s tender process for cartridges (http://www.therecycler.com/posts/australian-government-accused-of-twisting-cartridge-tender-rules/), claiming that the rules had been changed after the process to allow Staples and OfficeMax to offer cheaper remanufactured cartridges despite the agreement being for new cartridges, resulting in Staples and OfficeMax being awarded the tender.