INDUSTRY NEWS

Office World News, Jan/Feb 2004

SUPPLIES NETWORK MARKETING RESOURCES

ST. LOUIS, MO-While many wholesalers provide promotional materials to sell product, Supplies Network believes that product is only part of the marketing picture. Instead, Supplies Network's netM@rketing tools have three goals: to reinforce the advantages of buying from an independent dealer versus the contract stationers and super retailers; to utilize technology to make the creative and distribution process easy; and to promote product through both electronic and print media.

NetM@rketing offers an arsenal of customizable presentations, customer handouts, collateral, product catalogs and email campaigns to Supplies Network customers. Net@dvantage includes Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and handouts ready for dealers to customize for new business meetings. NetCre@te uses technology to take the time and trouble out of producing mini-catalogs with a "print on-demand" process that allows dealers to choose from nine mini-catalogs to create customized, printed catalogs with online editing and ordering. NetM@il offers a complete e-mail program dealers can utilize. Finally, net@ds offers a template library of one-page product flyers for more than a dozen top brands. Brand News, a monthly newsletter, is also available and the content may be customized in Microsoft Word.

CHARTPAK ACQUIRES FRANCES MEYER, INC.

LEEDS, MA-Chartpak, Inc. has acquired substantially all the assets and rights of Frances Meyer, Inc. (FMI). FMI is a supplier of proprietary paper and sticker products for the craft, stationery and scrapbooking markets. Chartpak, founded in 1949, is a creative-products company that designs, produces and distributes products for the scrapbooking, craft and hobby, fine arts, graphic arts, fine writing, gift and stationery market channels. Their brands include Chartpak, KOH-I-NOOR, Pelikan, Clearprint, and now, FMI.

ECI CHAIRMAN JOHN SIDGMORE DIES

RESTON, VA-eCommerce Industries Inc. (ECI2) chairman and chief executive officer John Sidgmore died December 11, 2003. Sidgmore, 52, was an Internet pioneer who was recognized as one of the most influential communications executives in the United States. He previously served as president and chief executive officer of LJUNET Technologies Inc., the world's largest Internet access provider and had served as president and CEO of WorldCom.

Under his leadership, UUNET grew from $6 million in revenue in 1995 to more than $4 billion in 1999. UUNET also completed one of the top three most successful initial public offerings on the NASDAQ in 1995. he also was instrumental in UUNET's $2 billion merger with MFS Communications Company, and became president of the combined companies in August of 1996. With the $15 billion merger between MFS and WorldCom, Inc., he became vice chairman and chief operations officer of WorldCom before serving as WorldCom's president and CEO from April to December 2002.

NOPA AND OFDA JOINT LEGISLATIVE AND PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Independent office products and office furniture dealers from across the country will unite in Washington on March 17-19,2004 for the fourth annual NOPA and OFDA Legislative and Government Procurement Conference. held at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza hotel and on "The Hill," this event brings together both representatives from the office products and office furniture industries to focus on new government business opportunities. Top issues covered will include sessions on how to grow government business, government procurement reform, Federal Prison Industries reform and healthcare reform.

On Wednesday and Thursday, pre-arranged individual meetings will allow attendees to share their concerns with members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Dealers and their trading partners will also receive in-depth "insider" legislative issue briefings, network at social events with decision-makers and other dealers, and meet high-profile political leaders. On Friday, activities shift from the Hill to the government procurement arena with a half-day program focused on doing business with the Federal government.

NOPA and OFDA also plan to hold the association's 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner in conjunction with the Legislative and Procurement Conference. Scheduled for Thursday, March 18th at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza hotel, this black tie gala features a networking reception, seated dinner, and dancing to a 23-piece Big band orchestra. For more information, please call 800.542.6672, ext. 134 or visit www.nopanet.org or www.ofdanet.org.

ADVANTAGE MARKETING WHOLESALERS PLANS FOR FUTURE

CHICAGO, IL-The board of directors of Advantage Marketing Wholesalers (AMW) recently met in Chicago for a planning session to set catalog and product strategy for the 2005 and 2006 years. Also discussed were additional growth plans and support for the dealer community in the office and college bookstore channels. AMW consists of Action/Emco Distribution LLC, servicing the Midwest and Northeast; O Henry, Inc., servicing the Southeast; and PPI Wholesale Office Supplies, servicing the West. The board also welcomed Bob Scribner as a new board member and as president and CEO of Action/Emco. Other members present were O Henry's president, Barry Frahm; PPI's chairman Harvey Greenberg; and PPI's president, Barry Greenberg.