Episodes
![GSA Commercial Platforms: Pacific Ink and Glass Commerce](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8988389/OPI_apple_Podcast_logo6fcy5_300x300.jpg)
Monday May 20, 2024
GSA Commercial Platforms: Pacific Ink and Glass Commerce
Monday May 20, 2024
Monday May 20, 2024
In March 2024, the US General Services Administration awarded contracts for its Commercial Platforms Programme. Along with household names Amazon Business, Staples and Grainger, four small businesses were also given awards.
OPI Talk spoke with two of these: San Diego-based Pacific Ink, led by Jaime and Alex Mautz, and Glass Commerce, a Silicon Valley start-up founded by Paola Santana.
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
![ACCO Brands CEO Tom Tedford discusses 2023 results and recent developments](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8988389/OPI_apple_Podcast_logo6fcy5_300x300.jpg)
Friday Mar 01, 2024
ACCO Brands CEO Tom Tedford discusses 2023 results and recent developments
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Friday Mar 01, 2024
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
![OPI Talk at Ambiente 2024](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8988389/OPI_apple_Podcast_logo6fcy5_300x300.jpg)
Friday Feb 09, 2024
OPI Talk at Ambiente 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
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
![Mike Gentile, Independent Suppliers Group (ISG)](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/Mike_Gentile_2023_Podbean_square_pic9k68r_300x300.png)
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Mike Gentile, Independent Suppliers Group (ISG)
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
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
![Discussing sustainability with Mondi UFP](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/Bernhard_C_Podbean_square_pic89460_300x300.png)
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Discussing sustainability with Mondi UFP
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
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
![James Rodgers, Independent Suppliers Group (ISG)](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/James_Rodgers_Podbean_square_pic6fjto_300x300.png)
Friday Nov 17, 2023
James Rodgers, Independent Suppliers Group (ISG)
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Friday Nov 17, 2023
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
![Ken Sweder, CEO BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/Ken_Sweder_Podbean_square_pic9ivyd_300x300.png)
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Ken Sweder, CEO BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Friday Nov 17, 2023
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
![All you need to know about the OPI Global Forum 2023](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/Podbean_square_pic_Janet_NAOPA_300amwu9_300x300.jpg)
Friday Sep 29, 2023
All you need to know about the OPI Global Forum 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
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.
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
![Boris Elisman’s final OPI Talk podcast as CEO of ACCO Brands.](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/Boris_Elisman_Podbean_square_pic_loaojld_300x300.jpg)
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Boris Elisman’s final OPI Talk podcast as CEO of ACCO Brands.
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
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
![The heat is on](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8988389/Ian_Wist_Podbean_square_picbva16_300x300.png)
Friday Aug 04, 2023
The heat is on
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
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