Canoga Park Office Supply Company to Debut Public Website

OfficeXpress Inc. soon plans to launch a new website and display its pens, pencils and such for all to see. The Canoga Park-based independent office supply dealer is ditching the username and password needed to purchase its products online. OfficeXpress is aiming to drive more business in a market sector crowded by big-box office supply companies such as Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax and scores of other independent firms, while making it more convenient for customers to shop. The sluggish economy offers OfficeXpress an opportunity to invest more heavily in its system and clients, General Manager Michael Helou said. “That way when the economy turns around, our clients will remember who was there for them,” he said. The new website – set to launch next year – will mirror the feel of the top three office supply companies, Helou said. And it will be designed to get OfficeXpress to the top of search engine results when a potential customer queries for supplies. Companies also will be able to input their purchase order on their own computer system and send it directly to OfficeXpress, the firm said. OfficeXpress is investing about $150,000 on the website, and company officials say it will help the Canoga Park firm continue to grow. So far this year, the company has notched 16 percent more revenue than all of last year, Helou said. From 2008 to 2010, the company grew 56 percent to $4.6 million. About 4,500 to 6,000 clients have placed orders this year, he said. OfficeXpress has expanded its offerings since its launch in 2003 to include items such as janitorial and sanitation supplies, business cards, custom T-shirts and stationary. The company also has been aggressive about seeking out new clients. OfficeXpress has two separate sales teams — “hunters” who look for new clients and “cultivators” that help relationships prosper, Helou said. Many companies are cutting back on office supplies to manage corporate costs during a tough economy. They are being especially conservative on new furniture purchases, for example, Helou said. “People aren’t changing out their conference rooms,” he said. But there’s irony in that statement. At least for a fast-growing company such as OfficeXpress, which has a newly redesigned conference room, complete with new leather chairs, a new multimedia system and new wood floors. –Andrew Khouri