International Paper has the Global Exclusive Agreement to manufacture HP Everyday Papers.

The grade is manufactured at International Paper’s paper mills, using virgin wood fibre from sustainable forests. International Paper’s paper mills are the best in class in terms of environmental performance.

Having the EU Eco-label accreditation now complements the HP Everyday Papers existing environmental accreditations, which include attainment of both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ® and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Chain of Custody schemes, guaranteeing that a product is made from sustainably managed forests.

The EU Eco-label is a voluntary environmental label created by the European Commission, established in 1992 to encouraged businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products awarded the Eco-label carry the flower logo to allow consumers including public and private purchasers to identify them easily.

UK and Ireland Country Manager Mike Robertson says: “Having the Eco-label flower logo on the HP Everyday Papers range allows us to demonstrate how seriously International Paper takes our commitment to the environment.”

As part of the EU flower assessment criteria, manufacturers must also meet a wide range of environmental and sustainable requirements. International Paper had to show the origin of all fibres as well as demonstrate that 10% of fibres are sourced from certified sustainable managed forests.

The HP Everyday Paper range already has high environmental credentials, with its 75gsm A4 grade available with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ® accreditation. As a further endorsement of its environmental performance, the HP Everyday Papers range is also PEFC certified.

Last year the HP Everyday Paper’s range’s high environmental credentials were further underlined when new packaging was launched for the range. The new packaging carries environmental certification more predominantly on the rear panel, supporting and endorsing HP’s Environmental Paper Policy (EPP). This provides information and environmental facts surrounding forest certification, recycling, renewable energy and sustainability.

The HP Everyday Papers range is the perfect match for use with HP original inks and toners, enabling end users to get the best results out of their printers. What’s more, due to its high quality and performance standards, HP Papers perform right the first time and benefit from the latest innovations available in today’s paper industry. The HP Everyday Papers range was the first among office papers worldwide to carry ColorLok® Technology.

The HP Everyday Papers range covers all office printing applications, from single to full colour printing on both laser and inkjet printers and is the perfect match for use with HP original inks and toners, enabling end users to get the best results out of their printers. What’s more, due to its high quality and performance standards, HP Papers perform right the first time and benefit from the latest innovations available in today’s paper industry. The HP Everyday Papers range was the first among office papers worldwide to carry ColorLok® Technology.

The HP Everyday Papers range is stocked in the UK by national merchant distributors; PaperlinX UK, Antalis UK, Office Depot, Staples and Robert Horne Ireland.

Merchandising Manager, Allison Fishlock, announced: “Office Club has launched a new and revamped online offering to help our Members to get online; or if they already have an e-commerce solution, we can provide a content site with news updates that attracts incoming traffic which can feed onto the trading site.

“The new offering caters for everyone, whether they just want a website presence that remains static (or dealers can update themselves), or Office Club can manage the site for a Member by adding special offers, news articles and information – all useful additions for getting your website up the rankings.

“As part of the standard website option dealers have full control over content along with the ability to include Twitter and Facebook feeds, as well as an Emag version of their quarterly promotional mailer – all in addition to pages that cover special offers, latest news, contact details and any other message or service they may wish to get across about their business.”

Exclusively launched on this side of the Atlantic by Nimans, resellers can enjoy recurring revenue of up to 40%, following in the footsteps of Boston where the service has been a tremendous overnight success.

In a major UK breakthrough, the popular Solitaire 6000HS model has been injected with additional functionality to create payphones with added power – as part of a unique all-in-one solution.

Pubs, restaurants, universities, hospitals, airports, railways stations, caravan sites and golf clubs are some of the many locations, resellers can target. The units boast up to a 200m range, 25 concurrent user capacity and an initial free 15 minutes internet usage.

Nimans is keen to educate resellers about the huge sales potential, citing Boston as a ‘great example’ of how the service has captured public interest where around 100 pay phones will offer free wireless internet by the end of the summer.

“Even though the Boston experience had nothing to do with us, it shows the massive potential for this service,” explained Andy Winfield, Purchasing Director at Nimans. “One site was heavily used even though there was nothing to indicate the Wi-Fi signal was available. Over a 24-hour period about 18,000 mobiles ‘noticed’ the signal and around 2,000 devices connected. Interestingly 200 people spent an average of 17 minutes using the internet connection.”

Payments to the Solitaire Wi-Fi service can be made via credit and debit cards or prepaid cash vouchers bought on-site. An LCD cash record display monitors takings from traditional payphone calls whilst remote diagnostics ensures convenient maintenance.

The Wi-Fi innovation is fully EU compliant and has a trade price of £429, just £129 more than the standard model. Resellers enjoy 40% commission on usage that can be split with their own customers if preferred. For sites wishing to offer totally free Wi-Fi then a monthly rental option is also available.

Andy concluded: “Uptake in the US proves what a highly effective and popular service this has the potential to become in the UK. We feel it will be equally as popular here as on the other side of the Atlantic. It’s no American dream.”

But Metrik take growth very seriously and so are constantly prospecting with the entire range of the ‘Little Book of Big Savings’ throughout the year, as a way to start the initial dialogue with a customer. Metrik have even started to use their own ‘Metrik man’ to brand their publications, which XPD implement on their behalf. Running a character like this across several publications has helped to link all Metrik literature together and promote the company brand.

The personalisable prices throughout the mailer serve to attract customers’ attention, and from there Metrik are able to discuss other options with them – every mailer is followed up! This strategy of following up prospecting tools is a vital component in securing business.

Sales have grown year on year for Metrik since they joined XPD, which the team attribute to the high level of service and support they receive from the group. The bespoke marketing that XPD offers gives Metrik a competitive edge against their rivals, and gives them a real presence with their customers.

Stuart Callander, Director of Metrik Office Supplies, comments: “Personalised marketing is at the heart of our marketing strategy, and allows us to really connect with every one of our customers. Diversity is key in this business, and we always try to stay one step ahead of our competitors with these powerful publications.”

Maxine Whiteway-Roberts, Marketing Manager at XPD, also comments: “Metrik are a great example of integrated marketing. They do not just rely on the mailers to do the sales work, they follow them up by talking to the customer and engaging with them when they have the publications in hand. It is this constant engagement with each and every customer that has helped Metrik to build a long-term successful business.”

Merchandising Manager, Allison Fishlock, confirmed: “Within twenty-four hours of sending out the invites we have already had over 50 registrations for the event; confirming our belief that there is a demand for an event that tackles the issues of networking and making contacts in the modern business world.”

Expert speakers include Rob Brown, a world leading authority on networking and business relationships, talking about how to gain business through networking and referrals; Julian Hall, “the online genius”, will give a master class on getting the most out of eBay and Amazon; and Andrew Gerrard, a Social & Digital Media Consultant, will wrap things up with an inspiring discussion about developing a business’ social media strategy.

Social Connections is an event that is open to all within the industry; anyone wishing to attend can email socialconnections@officeclub.co.uk to request further details on the event.

The latest training course took place across a full day at Nimans’ Manchester headquarters – compared to the previous four hour sessions – and attracted resellers from far and wide.

One Midlands-based dealer confirmed afterwards: “We have just started to explore the product and add it to our portfolio so such an in-depth training exercise really helps boost our confidence and knowledge. Cost, features and functionality really stand out along with the fact it’s easy to configure. It’s a product we can give to sales people without too much training as it’s an out of the box solution. The iQ PBX is not restricted by licenses which makes it a very easy and uncomplicated sale.”

The innovative iQ PBX technology is designed for the sub 25, 60 and up to 200 user markets – combining sophisticated feature-rich functionality with cost effective performance – including Microsoft Lync integration as part of a complete out- of-the-box solution. RRP prices (ex VAT) start from £500 (250 model), £850 for the mid-range 600 and £2,900 for the top-of-the-range 2000 version – providing resellers with many margin-rich sales opportunities.

Discounted demonstration kits are available, whilst a website has been launched at www.iqpbx.co.uk . Nimans is the exclusive UK distributor.

The listing appears in the final section which gives useful contacts and organisations that offer expert consumer advice. The Furniture Ombudsman also aims to raise standards, improve service and inspire consumer confidence.

Kevin Grix, Head of The Furniture Ombudsman said: “We have worked with Dom previously to give advice on his consumer show, so we are really pleased that he has included us in his list of contacts for consumers. We would always recommend that consumers buy from one of our members. Full Members agree to follow the Ombudsman’s Code of Practice which provides the consumer with a formal procedure which they can follow in the event of a dispute arising.”

For more information about The Furniture Ombudsman and to watch a short film explaining its service, please visit www.thefurnitureombudsman.org.

“Growing our dealer base, with new members is essential to achieving our goals. NEMO have consistently delivered great value and expertise to our members over a sustained period of time. This level of membership is proving to be a great success all round, as our full shareholder members’ benefit from the addition of Evolve members.” said Managing Director Tim Beaumont.

Business Development Manager Kath Slattery had this to say; “20 new members in just over 12 months since we launched this level of membership is testament to the value of the offering”.

If you want to be part of the fastest growing dealer group in the UK, contact Kath Slattery in complete confidence on 07876 596525 – or kaths@nemogroup.co.uk.

“Nectere will be sending regular promotions using current targeting techniques to our customer’s, this means we have more time to concentrate on gaining new accounts and developing current business relationships, whilst also saving money in overheads.”

David Martin, nectere Ireland Director, followed by stating; “I’m delighted to welcome John and his team to nectere. His drive and enthusiasm to grow is admirable and I’m sure with help from nectere they will continue to be a success.”

On Tuesday 21^st May, Levent Çaglar will be holding an informal workshop on the subject of chair development and usability trials entitled ‘This chair is perfect for me, I can’t see what’s wrong with it’.  Levent will look at the key components of ergonomics usability trials, their importance and benefits.

Levent is recognised as the key UK ergonomics expert in office and school furniture, he said: “I believe that any furniture item, in particular seating, is doomed to fail without appropriately devised usability trials. I will be looking at the importance of usability trials, including the dimensional fit, fitness for purpose, comfort, aesthetics and user perception. I welcome audience participation and any challenge to my hypothesis!”

On Wednesday 22^nd May, Dr. Asli Tamer Vestlund’s session is entitled ‘Sustainability criteria of furniture products and why you should pay attention’. She will be discussing the importance of furniture sustainability criteria, such as the new EU Timber Regulation, environmental management systems, Carbon Footprinting, Ecolabels, BREEAM/LEED Schemes and SKA Ratings.

Asli said: “The rising concern about the effect of human practices on the environment has led to the growth of sustainability Standards and regulations. Businesses are increasingly being asked to demonstrate they are committed to sustainability. I aim to provide an insight into the different types of sustainability criteria and why it is important for specifiers to understand this when assessing existing and potential suppliers.”

The events take place between 2pm and 3pm at Interstuhl Showroom, Clerkenwell.

To find out more about attending the events, please call 01438 777 700 or email info@fira.co.uk.