Thursday, February 3, 2011
François Beauvais of Art Woods Office Supplies
At last week's luncheon François started his craft talk by introducing himself to his fellow OXA members. François, or Frank as most people call him, was born in Quebec and raised in Northern Ontario where his family operated a business in the automotive industry. In the mid-1980s he moved to the National Capital region to attend college at the CEGEP de l'Outaouais in Business and Accounting. It was here that he met his wife Jennifer.
François joined the Art Woods team in 1988 and in 1998 he became a part owner. At the time he started, Art Woods Office Supplies Inc. was a local office supplies distributor with sales of just under a million dollars per year and now they have a staff of just over 50 with sales of over 20 million dollars this year. The Art Woods Group of Companies operates out of four locations, 2 in Ontario (including their distribution facility) and 2 in Gatineau. They operate under several different "Company" names including: Art Woods Office Supplies, BuroPLUS, GH Johnsons Furniture Inc., Johnsons Business Interiors, Smart Office, Smart Logistic and Cohen's Furniture. Art Woods business consists of 80% stationary and 20% contract furniture and 42% of their stationary business is done online.
Art Woods Office Supplies Inc. is a company that is committed to helping the planet. They are constantly changing in order to provide enviromentally friendly options that meet the growing needs and concerns of their clients. Some of the things they have implemented to promote the environment include favouring products containing recycled materials as well as requiring complete information from manufacturers, promoting green products in their catalogues and flyers, participating in environment shows hosted by the Federal Government, adopting green practices and promoting them to their staff and printing their catalogues on paper which meets green certifications.
In the Office Supplies industry where everyone is basically selling the same products, how does Art Woods differentiate themselves from their competitors? By offering: easy online ordering (including cost centre billing and reporting), ordering options (phone, fax, email or with a representative), monthly flyers, Enium private brand products, competitive pricing and customer negotiated prices, bilingual customer service, over 12,000 products available next business day with no minimum order, access to local inventory for Rush orders that can be delivered on the same day and by being local. Dealing with a local business is good for our economy.
During François' 20 plus years with Art Woods he has become an active member in not only his community but also his industry joining several organizations such as the Kitchi-Sipi Community, the Native Alliance of Quebec, The Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, The Gatineau Chamber of Commerce, the BuroPLUS Merchant Committee, the GOFAC Committee and the Ottawa Executives' Association.
As a member of the OXA for the last 12 years, François has developed many good business relationships and made several great friendships. He appreciates the wonderful organization that the OXA is and that he has like-minded people he can consult with on issues when the need arises.
To learn more about Art Woods Office Supplies Inc. or to become a client and place an order contact François by telephone at (613) 739-3443 or by email at fbeauvais@artwoods.com.
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