So says new CEO, Lyle Sadler. ‘I’ve been involved in the paper industry for 14 years and believe that traditional paper merchanting is overdue for consolidation and change,’ he remarks. ‘Now that Peters Papers is again a family-owned business, we look forward to taking it back to basics. I believe we have a lot to offer – not only our amazing team but also now counting as the country’s largest paper merchant.’
Apex Paper (associated with BSC Stationery and Labelcote) was established in 2001 as an A4 paper distributor. It has since developed into the largest supplier to the stationery sector.
‘The purchase of Peters Papers opens a national and international footprint for existing Apex A4 customers and for our group as a whole,’ comments Lyle. ‘Furthermore, thanks to its warehousing and distribution network, we can deliver quickly and efficiently across all product ranges.’
Peters Papers has been a household name in the paper merchanting game for almost 50 years, distributing and sourcing product from more than 40 of the world’s most prominent paper mills. Via its national distribution network, comprising some 40 000m2 of warehouse space and 63 delivery vehicles, it sells in excess of 150 000 tons of paper and board annually to more than 1 500 customers in South Africa and throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Apart from its Johannesburg head office, the company has branches in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban as well as in Namibia. A strategic decision was taken earlier this year to consolidate the Pretoria branch with the flagship Johannesburg site, as a step towards providing customers with improved service and stock levels.
Nationwide paper stock exceeds 12 000 tons and customers are offered same-day delivery on standard brands. Turnaround on indent orders is six to eight weeks.
More than 450 tons/day of paper is currently delivered to customers as far afield as Uganda.
Major product ranges from local and prominent international paper mills include carbonless papers, cast-coated papers and board, coated papers, house brands, office papers, packaging boards, security papers, self-adhesive papers and synthetic grades.
‘Peters Papers has a special relationship with each of its associate mills and we will continue to grow these alliances to provide the best spectrum of products for our customers,’ continues Lyle. ‘Our sales teams are highly experienced in all aspects of the paper industry and with the full support of the management team I’m confident they’ll exceed customer expectations and fly the Peters Papers’ flag with pride,’ he concludes.
Peters Papers
T +27 011 6779000
www.peterspapers.co.za
