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Green Choice - Green Office Supplies From Penfold by Office Choice

Published: 05/18/2011 by BigGreenWeb.com

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We recently interviewed Christie Jennings, Marketing Officer for Penfold by Office Choice about the company, their green values and their commitment to helping Australian businesses go green at work through their "Green Choice" range of recyclable office products, green office supplies and stationery, and office product alternatives that help to protect our valuable environment.

Below are the questions we put to Christie:

When did your start the business?

Born from Australia's oldest office supplies company WC Penfold (est 1830), Penfold by Office Choice (under it's current ownership) have been trading since 2005.

Who are the people behind your company?

Owners include Greg Barraclough (Managing Director), Greg Pate (Sales Manager) and Grant Wolters (Sales Managers).

Describe your products:

As a member of the Office Choice buying group, Penfold's product range is expansive and covers a wide selection of quality office supply and stationery categories at highly competitive prices. In addition to the traditional range of office products we supply, here at Penfold we also stock a wide selection of "green" office product alternatives and Australian made products.

Our product categories include:

Toners, ribbons and ink cartridges, computer media and accessories, business machines, envelopes and paper products, post and packaging products, adhesive notes and flags, books and pads, brief cases and compendiums, pens, pencils and markers, correction products and erasers, filing and storage products, tapes and adhesives, clips and fasteners, staples and staplers, hole punches, desk accessories, labels, badges and cards, stamps and accessories, presentation products, furniture, canteen, janitorial and safety supplies, diaries, planners and organizers, corporate printing and promotional products and general office accessories.

It is important to note, that as an Office Choice member (a member of BPGI, the largest office products buying group in the world), we have access to over 60,000 office related product lines, so if there is any product that isn't featured in our catalogue or that we don't have in stock, just ask our friendly staff and we will source the product for you.

What makes Penfold by Office Choice unique or different?

- We are 100% locally owned and operated.

- Extensive range of office supply products at extremely competitive prices.

- We have big business buying power (as a member of Office Choice) with small business service. All accounts are assigned their own dedicated Account Manager. We believe it is our high standard of service that sets us apart from our competitors.

What makes your business, products and/or services green?

In addition to our traditional office products range, we also stock a broad range of green office product alternatives. We refer to these products as being part of our "green choice" range.

Our Green Choice catalogue and range of office supply products help support the environmental credentials of our customers. We offer our customers:

 

- a green choice mini catalogue;

- a quick and easy way to choose products that are either made from recycled inputs, are recyclable or are carbon neutral with our green choice logo reference in our full line catalogue;

- a pledge to offer our customers the most environmentally friendly options available – if you are looking for a green product and can't find it, simply call us and we'll find it for you.

 

We also offer a cartridge collection program here at Penfold by Office Choice (via a third party) to reduce the environmental impact from the manufacturing of new ink and laser cartridges. The program also promotes a reduction in the disposal of empties into land fill.

How does your business address the challenge of "going green"?

At Penfold by Office Choice, we are conscious of our environmental footprint, and therefore choose green alternatives wherever possible. At the same time, we are eager to assist customers who want to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives and practices.

What is the main need that your products provide in the marketplace?

A competitive local alternative to the multinational office supply providers plus a large range of green office product alternatives available.

What is your current biggest environmental concern?

Environmental sustainability.

List the 5 main environmental benefits of your products / services:

1. Products which are featured in our "Green Choice" range are manufactured and marketed in a sustainable manner, having less impact on the environment over traditional office products.

2. All Green Choice products are made from recycled inputs, are recyclable or are carbon neutral to protect our valuable environment.

3. Our cartridge collection program promotes a reduction in the disposal of empties to landfill

4. Your green buying patterns send a strong message to our suppliers and manufacturers i.e. purchases of 'greener' products encourage our suppliers to produce 'greener' products.

5. If we don't have a green product that you want, don't compromise – we'll get it for you. If you want a green product that is not in our catalogue we will source it.

How have your products / services actually helped customers? Please give an actual example:

Our Green Choice initiative/range ultimately assists customers wanting to make their business greener via the implementation of a green office.

What tips can you share with our readers about using your products/services?

Tips for implementing a greener office:

 

- Investigate the copy paper you are using; consider things like environmental certification, recycled content, country of origin, milling practices and greenhouse benefits.

- Consider purchasing remanufactured toner cartridges

- Participate in a toner cartridge recycling program

- Recycle all paper and paper based products

- Encourage the use of environmentally friendly printing practices

- Develop a green purchasing policy, and educate your staff

- Ensure your coffee and tea is sustainably sourced

- Implement water saving initiatives

- Monitor your lighting usage

- Select environmentally preferable soaps and cleaning products (check out our clean choice range).

- Consider energy efficiency when buying new business machines

- Minimize landfill – decommission your machines when they reach end of life

 

What's your favorite tip for going green or living sustainably?

Opt for green office product alternatives whenever available!

Describe your ideal customer:

Small to medium businesses.

Where are your ideal customers located?

Metropolitan Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

What's the best way to order products or services from Penfold by Office Choice?

Via our online ordering portal or alternatively via email, phone or fax.

Do you have a company mission, motto or slogan?

Penfold by Office Choice slogan: "everything you need for office supplies"
Green Choice slogan: "green choice: it's the only choice for office products"

Briefly describe your company vision:

Our commitment to our customers is to provide the seamless delivery of office product 'best-fit' solutions that meet their specific business needs. At Penfold by Office Choice, we pride ourselves on the fact that we're easy to do business with – from locating the products you need quickly and effortlessly, to efficient ordering options and the fast, accurate delivery of your order – anywhere in Australia, We guarantee that our customers will receive their orders promptly, with the same 'smiley face' and friendly service that features on our logo – that we believe, sets us apart.

What values will your business never compromise on?

Our quality of products and service, reliability, responsiveness and delivery timeliness.

Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?

Currently we only have distribution centres in 2 states and retail stores in 3. In 5 years, we'd ideally like to have a retail store and distribution centre in each Australian state and territory.

People love doing business with Penfold by Office Choice because ...

We're local, friendly and easy to do business with.

What gets other people so excited about your products/services that they just have to tell their friends about you?

Here at Penfold we go the extra mile. We specialize in sourcing the products you want – even if they're not in our catalogue or stocked range.

Do you have a special offer or discount for BigGreenWeb.com visitors?

Sure do, simply open an account with us and spend a minimum of $300 on your first order and we'll send you a FREE $50 Wish® Giftcard as a token of our appreciation! Simply quote the following special code A1W50.

To contact Penfold by Office Choice visit their BigGreenWeb.com listing here: Green Office Products