Industry veteran retires after more than four decades in the OP industry.

 

Forty-six years is a long time in any industry but it is particularly notable for someone in the stationery and office supplies business. 

 

Roy Leggo, national account manager at ACCO Brands, will retire at the end of year, having worked through a spate of technological and structural changes over many years.

 

Following a tribute at last week’s office products charity Christmas lunch in Sydney, Office Products News thought it appropriate to find out a little more about the life and times of ‘Mr Stationery’.

 

What was you first job (and when) in office products/office supplies/stationery?

 

I started with G J Coles in 1966 with a cadetship in store management moving into a buying role for Coles in NSW until 1977.

 

Take us through the companies you have worked for up until now and a can you provide a few comments on some of the people have helped (or hindered!) your career?

 

Early on I managed stores for Coles and was also a buyer. 

 

I started working in sales with Martin Biggs (of Marbig fame) in 1978. 

 

Marbig Rexel (Fordigraph Rexel) was purchased by American Brands who floated the business as ACCO Brands in 1988.

 

I have only had two jobs in my life G J Coles (11years) and Martin Biggs and Sons, which evolved into  ACCO Brands.. 

 

There are many people who have assisted me in the stationery business, among them:- Martin Biggs, Victor Biggs, Allan Boolkin, Vic Hayhurst (Ballment) Gary Blewitt (Ballment) Darien Loman (Illawarra Stationey) and the team at WC Penfolds.

 

ACCO has been a great choice of companies to work for, so thank you ACCO.  

 

My stationery career was never stationary!

 

What have been the major changes you have seen from a supplier point of view during that time.

 

We didn’t have computers when I first commenced in the stationery business. A Daro magnetic accounting system was the main piece of equipment at the time then along came  personal laptops and mobile phones. Another trend was the introduction of training and sales courses.

 

You have no doubt attended hundreds of trade shows – how valuable have they been from a sales/networking perspective.

 

When the trade shows were supported by customers they were excellent and assisted in meeting account owners and staff nationally.

 

You are very focused on the sales budget and have hit your numbers more times than not – what do you consider the key requirements for making the most of sales performance in good times and bad.

 

Once we had the ability to run our own sales figures, I reviewed them every day, even on holiday. Sales are imperative to our businesses and also gross margins, which are highly volatile in these times.

 

Finally, word is that you are one the oldest surfboard riders on the northern beaches and in Bali – at the same time, you are quite handy and have probably won a few events. Ture or false?

 

I have been surfing since I was 10 years old and still get in the water even now, I am not the oldest as so many people surf these days.

 

Alanna and I have been lucky and have travelled to Europe, UK, USA, Hawaii, Bali,  The Maldives, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Sumatra,  PNG and various parts of Indonesia. I keep busy with surfing, the beach, paddle boarding, sailboarding, tennis,  walking and gardening , family and friends and grandchildren.

 

We have been able to raise our girls in Avalon where they attended schools and participated in Rock Eisteddfods. 

 

Alanna, being an accomplished artist, has spent a lot of hours and days working on props, costumes and art for the schools were the girls attended. The girls also played music, rode horses and did a lot of dancing and attended music concerts. 

 

A keen surfer I have grown up on the northern beaches surfing with past and present world champions.  I travelled and surfed all along the east coast of Australia and around the world having had all sorts of boat trips and land camps, all great adventures. I have surfed for many years in competitions in the northern beaches as well as for state and national titles.  My trophies are under the house with my ACCO service awards. 

 

Must be getting old! 

 

PHOTO: Top left, from left: Christy, Alanna, Larissa and Roy Leggo.