B L O C  Group
groping in dark?

Can it create sales/marketg
force v just delay inevitable?

BLOC the buying group merger of Office Friendly & Integra is over a year old. What's happening? Where's the growth strategy? Will it create a business supply contract force like AOPD/Network? Will it expand beyond OP? Will it develop partnerships with brands eg Essity, K-C? It claims 220 members with $1Bn in sales, but what's it doing with that power? We discuss options here, first.....complete

The Best, Brightest
B r a n d  Identities 

Proficiency Index new survey:
OP, Tech & HyPac consumers

As a by-product of Proficiency Index's First Buyers Survey in the HyPac market, (Hygiene, Foodsevice and Packaging) it surveyed what consumers felt were their most favoured. brightest brand names. This survey of decision makers revealed fascinating insights in NY, Boston, London & Manchester and featured original brands, private label and leading resellers. Full report here, first ...updated

McFarlane packs
softer sales punch 

Declining volume & prices
saved by acqu'ns pipeline

UK packaging giant MacFarlane Group reported a demand slowdown for 2025, including key protective packaging acquisitions. CEO Peter Atkinson 
commented "We welcome the early signs of organic revenue growth in our Distribution business" Full analysis  here, first

What game is
Acco playing? 

Will 3rd acquis'n outside
core business add value? 

Acco Brands the ex-OP brand leader, today announced it will acquire Trust, a European provider of computer and gaming accessories. This is the third acquisition outside its core OP activty. So far, its track record has been poor, adding little revenue or market value. Meanwhile, it has failed to grasp new market opportunities inc. hybrid office & AV? Full story analysis here, first

H y g i e n e  supply
leaders less healthy

Volumes in decline. Prices up!
Who is winning mkt share?

Hygiene, Foodservice & Packaging (HyPac) is the #1 business supply category alongside tech. Progressive business suppliers have pivoted into hygiene and wellness services. Proficiency Index Q2'26 reports analysis to date: CEO's seem complacent, lacking transparency by not splitting lower volumes from higher prices; denying soft consumer demand v WallSt AI Bubble euphoria? Updated full analysis here, first:  Clorox, Grainger, Cascades, Cussons, Amcor, PFG, CCL, Aramark, OptiGroup, Sappi, Smurfit

Will Broken VOW
abandon resellers?

Narrowline. No investment
Poor svc levels. Late acc'nts

EVO Group the management owned OP distributor (inc.VOW Wholesale, Banner, Staples UK, Complete, Exertis) is 4mos late reporting 2025 financials. After 17yrs of decline: core sales halved, tiny profits, poor service levels, little range development; the BIG persistent question is: how long will 'vulture' lenders tolerate poor performance from ceo Andrew Gale's team? Full analysis here, first.. Updated

OptiGroup f l a t.
Lost market share

FM provider's 7acqs boost

revenues as CEO's transition

OptiGroup the €1.4Bn European FM/HyPac/Meds distributor has reported long awaited 2025 results  New ceo Niklas Berntsson started Jan'26 after 7 acquisitions made during 2025. Meanwhile, organic growth has stalled as management attempts to simpliy the organisation. Full story and analysis here....

3 D  P r i n t e r s
drown in losses

Will 3DS/Stratasys survival
depend on urgent merger

3D printing leaders Stratasys and 3D Systems  are still struggling as heavy losses continued in Q2'26. The market bubble has burst, yet the ceos are in denial,. Meanwhile, both are divesting to deflect from decline and a merger may still be the only way to survive? Full comp analysis here, first...

Lenovo lifted high 
by innovation drive

"New AI PC personal agent
based on natural intuition"

Lenovo the $110Bn+ PC & AI tech services giant reported tremendous growth in Q1'27 and maintained its lead as #1 global PC maker. "As leaders in PCs and Smart Devices, we are proud of our rapid emergence in AI and Infrastructure – a clear validation of our strategic foresight. Powered by our Hybrid AI strategy," reported ceo Yuanqing Yang. Full analysis here, first

PFG: P a s s a b l e
Foodservice Growth

Case volumes slowdown
buffered by price increases

Performance Food Group inc.Vistar, the $68Bn US food & beverage services wholesaler reported solid sales growth in Q4'26 in restaurants and biz markets. New ceo Scott McPherson commented “Consistent market share gains across our business units translated into strong revenue growth" We will check market share claims and update. Full analysis here, first