Former ACCO Brands exec joins Asian OP sourcing group.

 

Brian Brown, former general manager – commercial at ACCO Brands Australia, has joined stationery and consumer goods procurement group Neon Orient Oceania.

 

Brown left ACCO Brands in April after three-year stint having previously been in a similar role for more than 24 years with Pelikan Artline, which merged with US-based ACCO in 2016. 

 

Stephen Gates, director at Neon Orient Oceania, told Office Products News that Brown’s relationships, experience and product knowledge in the Australian/New Zealand markets will support the Neon Orient positioning strategy in the Oceania region. 

 

“Neon Orient Oceania recently completed its second year of full operations in the local market,” Gates said. “Our Asian backbone, comprising more than 80 staff in Asia, continuously manages sourcing, manufacturing, QA, logistics and finance functions. 

 

“Our business model - to shorten supply chains, and bring Australian customers closer to the Asian factories-  has been well recognised and accepted by a number of Australian retailers and OP dealer groups. 

 

“As private label ranges continue to grow their share of OP and other business categories we believe that Neon Orient’s low-cost model will continue to grow and win business,” he said.

 

“Local Australian market knowledge and customer service means our customers can be confident to deal directly with Asian factories, without needing to worry about potential issues. Brian’s role will assist more customers to take advantage of the Neon Orient benefit,” he said.

 

In addition to a wide range of office and school supplies, Neon Orient supplies accessories (for retail or as promotional items), packaging materials, household/decorative items, garment products and toys.

 

PHOTO CAPTION: Brian Brown (centre) flanked by Neon Orient directors Mark Griffiths and Stephen Gates.