Australian Paper is looking to acquire BJ Ball’s office products division ED Office Products (EDOP), a leading supplier of office paper and stationery products with a range that extends from Australian state specific school exercise books and office paper to arts and crafts papers and boards.
Australian Paper, which has a strong portfolio of office products including Reflex copy paper, is seeking to grow consumer demand for local recycled paper and increase the manufacture of premium office paper for the Australian and New Zealand markets. The acquisition is based on the synergies between the two businesses and Australian Paper believes the opportunity represents good news for Australian manufacturing and the thousands of local jobs that Australian Paper supports.
Australian Paper and EDOP are confident that the transition will be a smooth one for customers. Australian Paper will continue to honour EDOP’s current commercial arrangements and is fortunate to already have successful trading relationships with many of EDOP’s customers around Australia.
A spokesperson for Australian Paper said the company is committed to demonstrating the value of its local manufacturing offer to all new customers, and will work hard to maintain broad customer support as it continues to strengthen its domestic office paper business.
Over time, Australian Paper will be replacing products that are currently imported, with locally manufactured, competitively priced office paper.