technologyreseller.co.uk 09 NEWS : Distributors Spicers brand returns to wholesale office supplies market The 200-year-old Spicers brand is returning to the wholesale office supplies market following a seven-figure investment in strategic business supplies specialist OT Group by Paragon, which acquired the group and Spicers Ireland in May 2020. Paragon’s funding has been used to digitally transform finance, operations and sales order processes across the group, implement leading-edge automation in the firm’s Ashton and Dublin warehouses and further develop its SmartPad procurement engine. To help re-establish Spicers as a costeffective, digital-first solution for dealers, OT Group has recruited Group Operations Director Martin Weedall from Evo Group. He will work with an established team of Spicers personnel, including OT Group Procurement Director Scott Walker and wholesale experts Steve Morley (UK) and Martin Everard (Ireland). OT Group CEO Andrew Jones said: “We’ve taken a 200-year-old brand and made it fit-for-purpose in a constantly evolving wholesale market. Our Spicers team has over 100 years of collective industry experience, are in constant dialogue with dealers and understand what our market needs from suppliers.” Among the Spicers team’s first priorities are further investment to give dealers access to over 1 million products through its ‘extended range’ initiative and additional enhancements to the SmartPad procurement portal, including a complete audit trail of orders, visibility of order status and detailed order tracking. OT Group’s brands include Spicers, which stocks over 8,500 SKUs in depots in the UK and Ireland, Office Depot, OfficeTeam and ZenOffice. https://spicers.co.uk/ Andrew Jones Exertis reinforces commitment to inclusivity Technology distributor Exertis is reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity with the appointment of chairs for its newly formed Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for Women, People from Ethnic Minorities and the LGBTQIA+ communities. Gemma Walters, General Manager for Microsoft at Exertis, chairs the ERG division for women; Manpreet Bath, General Manager for Datacentre & Commercial at Exertis, is leading the ERG for people from ethnic minorities; and Holly Chatton, Head of Data Governance within Exertis, is leading the ERG for LGBTQIA+ colleagues. Exertis has created the ERGs to champion, mentor and coach individuals from all genders, ethnic backgrounds and sexualities and to drive policy changes within the company. As well as providing a safe, supportive space for employees who share a common identity, the ERGs aim to educate the wider business about each community’s lived experiences and to increase representation of the communities at all levels of the business. Exertis UK Managing Director Paul Bryan said: “I am so pleased that we have these new ERG platforms starting within our business and I am very proud to see that our people are so engaged and enthusiastic with this approach. The more we learn, discuss and elevate these communities, the more we break down the taboos within society and create safe environments, allowing people to grow and achieve their aspirations.” www.exertis.co.uk Target Components ownership transferred to employees Target Components, a Yorkshire-based IT distributor, has transferred majority ownership of the business to its 60 employees through the setting up of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The EOT will represent the interests of company employees who will have a representative on the EOT board. The Target board, led by Managing Director Michael Lawrence, will continue to manage the company but with a commitment to do so in the best interests of its employees, while continuing to serve the needs of customers. Lawrence said: “We have exciting plans for Target and the change in ownership is a significant milestone for us. The commitment, innovation and attitude of the team at Target have underpinned our successes and it’s fantastic for them to have an even greater stake in the future development of the business”. Previous owners Paul Cubbage and Ian Prescott will retain a minority stake within the business and operate as non-executive board members. Cubbage said: “Selling the company to the employees through the creation of the EOT ensures the stability of the business for the long-term and supports our desire for further growth. This move recognises the value that the Target team have delivered over the years and the pivotal role each individual will play as the business progresses under its new leadership.” www.targetcomponents.co.uk Lyreco pick final three micro-businesses for support programme Lyreco, the workplace products and services distributor, has announced the final three businesses selected for this year’s Lyreco Goodness Microbusiness Support Programme. Pro Earth, developer of a natural and sustainable pollution control product, PPE recycling service Staysafe and S’wheat, creators of a reusable plant-based water bottle, will join seven other companies on the support programme for UK and Irish microbusinesses motivated by a greater societal purpose. Each will receive a business support package worth more than £20,000 whch includes a bespoke page on Lyreco’s web-shop, marketing and communication support, a free catalogue listing for up to 10 products or services, preferred payment days and ongoing business support. Left to right: Amee Ritchie and Jake ElliottHook (S’wheat), Denise Brinton (Staysafe PPE), Alexandra Addison and Nicholas Addison (Pro Earth). Gemma Walters Manpreet Bath Paul Bryan Holly Chatton
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