The office products market business has been declining as more organizations continue to eliminate paper from their operations. The slow growth in the industry is being driven by technology and the expense of using paper, as well as environmentally conscious consumers demanding the company they do business with get rid of paper. One company making steady gains after the financial crisis is ACCO Brands Corporation, the largest supplier of branded office products.
While other organizations continue to outsource their call center operations, the company made a $1.6 million corporate investment to add a call center at its Booneville, Miss. location. According to the bizbuzz.djournal.com, the new center will create 162 full-time jobs, which is badly needed in this region.
The office of Gov. Phil Bryant has recognized the positive impact the company has had in Mississippi as it continues to invest in the state. In 2008, the company expanded its operation in Booneville with a $55 million project investment that created 300 jobs.
“I thank the company for once again investing in our state and placing its confidence in our business climate and trust in our quality workforce. I wish the company many more years of success in Prentiss County,” said Gov. Bryant.
The project received assistance from the Mississippi development Authority for building upgrades. Additional contributions were also made from the Tennessee Valley Authority to ensure the successful completion of the project.
The ACCO brand and products have been part of the American office landscape for more than 100 years. It started with the founding of Wilson Jones in 1893, the American Clip Company (ACCO) in 1903 and the Swingline Company in 1925. The company’s brands and products are some of the most recognized in the industry and they include: AT-A-GLANCE and Day-Timer, Five Star, GBC, Hilroy, Kensington, Marbig, Mead, Quartet, Rexel, Swingline, Tilibra, Wilson Jones and many others. Today the company employs close to 6,000 people globally, and in 2013 it generated sales totaling $1.77 billion.
“Since the opening of our state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facility in 2008, we have moved a variety of manufacturing and customer care positions into Booneville from China, Canada and other U.S. locations. We are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of the well-trained and well-educated workforce defining Mississippi as a business destination,” said said Mark Gams, senior vice president, U.S. Operations, ACCO Brands.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi