"For me this is now the benchmark for trade fairs in the stationery business," explained Richard Stubbings, Sales Director, Pukka Pads. "We have been to several others before, but from now on we will judge other events by this one. The organisation is absolutely brilliant and this has helped make everybody attending relaxed. All the companies scheduled to meet us have come and it has been a great two way exchange."

Breaks and mealtimes were good
networking opportunities.

Comments like this are well appreciated by the event’s organisers, but do not come as a surprise. "Before proposing new buyers to the suppliers committee, we make sure that they have a good reputation in the industry and have a policy of actively searching for new suppliers," explains Christophe Durrieu, the event’s President. The selection process has enabled Sourcing & Innovation Days to remains fresh, with a high percentage of new companies joining those like Otto Office, Ramqvist and HSM and who have regularly attended since the event’s inception in 2002. This year 60% of buyers representing 24 different countries were attending for the first time.

The strict selection of buyers and suppliers ensured that during June 3-7 both parties did good business in the idyllic setting of St Maxime on the French Riviera. Prearranged 25-minute meetings took place during the day, and discussions and networking carried on at mealtimes, breaks and during the "Visions 2009" round table discussions.

Suppliers and buyers from 24 different countries
used the 25-minute meetings to do business.

Only high-quality, innovative suppliers and buyers chosen

The variety of suppliers and their innovative products are key factors behind many buyers’ decisions to make Sourcing & Innovation Days a must in their calendars. "Sourcing days is a very good format, which is why I have returned for the second time," said James McQuillan, Purchasing manager for Eason and Sons, which has 100 retail outlets in Ireland and the UK. "We have done business with several companies from last time round, and the event is better than the traditional format."

A good example of the innovative suppliers present was first aid solutions specialist Wallace Cameron from Scotland with its eye-catching range of first aid kits. "Distributors in the office products industry are aiming to be one-stop shops, so first aid kits are a necessary part of the catalogue," explained Export Manager Eric Stewart. The research and development team at Wallace Cameron has used state of the art computer aided design to develop a range of colourful and easy-to-use first aid kit dispensers. The transparent Adulto model, which is designed for office use, includes unique features such as semi automatic opening, a section on the front containing "pilferproof" plasters, to prevent plaster theft and an accident report book fixed onto the back.

The zip-it bag from Doohdlich picked up
the award for Best Product.

Swiss manufacturer Artessa was voted
Best Supplier of
Sourcing & Innovation Days 2008.

A mix of dynamic, new companies and established ones

Suppliers like Wallace-Cameron were complemented with more traditional office products manufacturers like Exacompta. This French producer of high-quality stationery products is celebrating 150 years of business by focusing on sustainable development. It used Sourcing & Innovation Days 2008 as a platform to promote a range of green products, including its green files, which are 100% recycled from post industrial waste. The files were awarded the German Blue Angel logo in March.

Following the tradition of previous events, the final evening saw the presentation for Best Supplier and Best Product at a beach restaurant overlooking St Tropez. After counting the votes cast from the buyers present, Christophe Durrieu announced that Swiss company Artessa had been nominated Best Supplier and the zip-It bag from Israeili firm Doohdlich Best Product. Patrick Assayah from family-run Artessa told ISG that distributors and consumers appreciate its policy of continuously innovating to bring office workers easy-to-use and eye-catching office tools.

The Zip-it bag from Doohdlich starts out as a flat zipper and becomes a stylish bag when it is zipped up. It comes in different sizes and a variety of colours. When asked why the zip-it range proved to be such a big hit, Doohdlich CEO Ronen Kapon said: "The idea is a great one and it is fun for people to use. There are a lot of bags on the market, but the zip-it is more than just a bag; it's a creation."

The challenges and opportunities facing
the industry were discussed during
"Visions 2009".

"Visions 2009" – a platform for sharing ideas

Due to the success of the "Visions" round table discussions in 2007, this year two forums were held instead of just one session. The format allows participants to share ideas and experiences about key issues facing the industry. Among this year’s themes were the future school and office, Web 2.0 and the internet, sustainable development, safety and security products, and the future of the office products industry.

One debate at a table attended by ISG was on how small and medium-sized dealers and suppliers should best react to the formation of even larger groups in light of Staples acquisition of Corporate Express. This produced an interesting debate amongst the suppliers present, some of which supply the big players, on whether to hold firm on major questions such as price or whether to do everything possible to make sure they are represented in their catalogues. The general consensus reached at the end of the session was the need for small and medium-sized companies to focus on what they are good and to satisfy customer needs at a local level. "Be proactive and you will enjoy; be reactive and you may have a hard time," were the concluding remarks.

The discussions are a much appreciated part of the Sourcing & Innovation Days event for regular participants. They were also a hit for newcomers like Richard Stubbings, Sales Director, Pukka Pads. "I learnt a lot about how the same problems that I am facing are affecting different markets," he said. "You sometimes think that only you have the problem, but when speaking to others in the industry you realise that everybody is in the same boat. Like we say, a problem shared is a problem halved."

The Agora Club summer dinner
gave everyone a chance to relax
after 3 days of doing business.

Press Conferences for suppliers

Another added value of Sourcing & Innovation Days is the attendance of representatives of the international trade press. This year representatives of magazines from France, Spain Belgium, South Africa, China, India and Brazil were present. Volker Wessels from the German distributor association BBW also attended. Suppliers were able to promote their products to an international audience during 20-minute press conferences.