Episodes

  • 10: TUNED IN with Steve Bilton, MD, Fusion Plus

    10: TUNED IN with Steve Bilton, MD, Fusion Plus
    Sep 22 2021
    Welcome to this month's TUNED IN with Steve Bilton, who applaudes how the office supplies industry responded to the pandemic by pulling together, and sees a bright future for the sector. 

    Steve is in the perfect position to gives us a true picture of what categories are selling and how much sales have increased over pre-pandemic figures. There's still alot of hardship and difficult times ahead but it's clear the channel as a whole has done a great job with diversification being the main theme.

    So what of the future, how will dealers need to operate? Steve gives us an insight as to what dealers might consider for the future.

    Listeners can have your own say by getting in touch with us on email through Dealer Support website at www.dealersupport.co.uk. 
    Produced, written and prepared by Steve Harrop, HB Associates, for and on behalf of Dealer Support magazine. 
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    34 mins
  • 9: TUNED IN with Aidan McDonough, CEO, Integra

    9: TUNED IN with Aidan McDonough, CEO, Integra
    Jul 22 2021
    In this month's TUNED IN, Aidan discusses the issues facing the sector, why five-year plans are useless, and predicts a slew of M&A activity in the next year.

    With 27 years in the office products sector, latterly as CEO of Integra Business Solutions, Aidan McDonough is an experienced head who knows that the sector will always evolve and overcome whatever problems are thrown at it – such as a global pandemic and its aftermath.

    Listeners can have your own say by getting in touch with us on email through Dealer Support magazine. 
    Produced, written and prepared by Steve Harrop - HB Associates for and on behalf of Dealer Support magazine. 
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    28 mins
  • 8: TUNED IN with Steve Robinson and Ian Buckley, Society of Old Friends

    8: TUNED IN with Steve Robinson and Ian Buckley, Society of Old Friends
    Jun 21 2021
    HG Wells once said, “What really matters is what we do with what we have”. He was an honoured guest speaker of the Society of Old Friends in 1918. Today, as Old Friend Steve Harrop interviews president Steve Robinson, and committee member and the society’s head of recruitment, Ian Buckley, these words clearly have a remarkable resonance today.
    Over the 112 years since the Society of Old Friends was formed, in a small pub off London’s Regents Street, its mission has been - and continues to be - to encourage good fellowship and camaraderie among its many members and guests.
    The pandemic, and resultant lockdowns, eliminated any opportunity for the physical socialising that has always been a fundamental cornerstone of the society’s calendar.
    The committee decided to try a virtual Members’ Gathering and AGM in September, and we were delighted that nearly 50 members participated, and took obvious pleasure of being ‘together’!
    Hopefully, we will be returning to physical events soon, beginning with a Summer event in July, a London Clachan in September and, on 14th October, we are planning to hold our autumn dinner with a very special guest speaker - Gyles Brandreth.
    To discover more about the Society of Old Friends please have a look here: http://thesocietyofoldfriends.co.uk/
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    22 mins
  • 7: TUNED IN with Martin Reid, MD, Egan Reid

    7: TUNED IN with Martin Reid, MD, Egan Reid
    Jun 18 2021
    Egan Reid has come a long way since the business was started by Jack Reid and Jim Egan in 1957 as a letterpress printing business; ithas proved that a business must continually evolve if it is to remain successful.

    Perhaps the first example of this is when the company got out of the printing business in 1976 – around the time the print unions were very militant - and bought two new businesses; an office supplies company in Stockport called Office Supplies Manufacturing, and an office furniture company, B&H Commercial.

    This was the beginning of Egan Reid in its current form – 2021 managing director Martin Reid joined the business as a fresh-faced 18-year-old the year after. The company grew quite quickly to 25 members of staff and, by 1990, needed to relocate to somewhere bigger; they moved into the Purpose-built premises in Stockport where the company is still based. “This move was a big step. It allowed us to grow, as the previous building was far too small for us,” says Martin.

    Hear more on how Egan Reid grew to be one of the UKs leading dealers and hear Martin's views on what the future OP industry will look like.

    Listeners can have your own say by getting in touch with us on email through Dealer Support magazine. hello@dealersupport.co.uk   Produced, written and prepared by Steve Harrop - HB Associates for and on behalf of Dealer Support magazine.    Steve Harrop FCIM HB Associates 07572839606
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    25 mins
  • 6: TUNED IN with Mike James, MD, Dundale Associates

    6: TUNED IN with Mike James, MD, Dundale Associates
    May 18 2021
    Tuned In podcasts continues with the 6th Episode and special guest - Mike James, consultant at Dundale Associates.   Mike has a distinctive and varied career within the Office Products industry and few people don’t know of him.    Three times an employee with Esselte, Mike has also been a dealer as well as spending years in the manufacturer sector.    His enthusiasm for our industry is clearly articulated and he’s a huge fan of young talent coming through, urging the wider industry to encourage these leaders.    His passion for both the Society of Old Friends and The Stationers Company doesn’t simply revolve around copious amounts of alcohol and companionship but mostly the benefits they bring to others.    Mike explains how the history and activities of Stationers Guild plays a key role in bringing together not just people but also different sectors of that organisation including Media, publishing, printing and of course Office Products. He’s very proud of the role played encouraging participation of OP colleagues who now account for 12% of the membership.    Mike has a client portfolio that is widespread and complimentary to each other with German (Sigel), Japanese (Tombow) & UK players (Prima).    Mike’s experience is extensive, his knowledgable expertise immediately apparent and his passion for all things Office Products undoubtedly clear.    Harlequins rugby, family & friends and the odd pint of London Pride feature strongly off the work track and he’s a bibliography for all things OP industry.    Listeners can have your own say by getting in touch with us on email through Dealer Support magazine.    Produced, written and prepared by Steve Harrop - HB Associates for and on behalf of Dealer Support magazine.   

    Steve Harrop FCIM HB Associates 07572839606   http://linkedin.com/in/steveharrop09
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    28 mins
  • 5: TUNED IN with Mark Wilkinson, VP UK & Ireland, ACCO

    5: TUNED IN with Mark Wilkinson, VP UK & Ireland, ACCO
    Apr 15 2021
    This series of TUNED IN podcasts continues with the 5th Episode and special guest - Mark Wilkinson, VP of Acco UK & Ireland. 

    Mark provides a positive and upbeat message across a range of topics including Brexit, Acco range extensions and group acquisitions. Keen to stress the new and exciting initiatives that Acco are providing for dealers, he also discusses the UK market conditions with Steve and how post Covid the business environment is shaping up.    Full of interesting thoughts, Mark mentions Guantanamo bay concerns and the smugglers’ charter that is Brexit trading at present. The Suez & Evergreen are also covered along with the Toon and the wonders of both India & the north east coastline.    Listeners can have your own say by getting in touch with us on email hello@dealersupport.co.uk   Produced, written and prepared by Steve Harrop - HB Associates for and on behalf of Dealer Support magazine. 
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    30 mins
  • 4: TUNED IN with Raj Advani, Commercial Director, Exertis Supplies

    4: TUNED IN with Raj Advani, Commercial Director, Exertis Supplies
    Feb 22 2021
    Raj Advani may have stepped down from his role as managing director of Exertis, but he is still very much involved in the business and the sector – and has some forthright views on its future.
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    26 mins
  • 3: TUNED IN with Mark Daisley, MD, Exaclair

    3: TUNED IN with Mark Daisley, MD, Exaclair
    Jan 26 2021
    Mark Daisley charts the effects of the last year on Exaclair, a UK based manufacturering business as part of the wider French owned Group, Exacompta-Clairefontaine . 
     
    Known throughout the industry as a successful and entertaining personality, Mark tells us about his recent experiences and how new trending purchasing outlets are heavily influencing sales opportunities. 
     
    Mark & Steve explore customer perceptions and hold a fascinating discussion on some key tenets of the UK business supplies industry, Brexit readiness and to enjoy what we have as much as possible 
     
    Listeners can have your own say by getting in touch with us on email matthew@intelligentmedia.co.uk. 

    Produced, written and prepared by Steve Harrop - HB Associates for and on behalf of Dealer Support magazine. 
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    25 mins