The Queensland Government's office supplies arrangements have been thrown open with the dismantling of sections of its Sales and Distribution Services division, commonly known as SDS.
Until recently, government offices, local councils, statutory authorities and schools bought stationery, furniture and office design solutions from SDS.
However, the newly-elected state government has reportedly closed down the office supplies side of SDS because it was losing money.
The SDS Online website has been absorbed by the Department of Housing and Public Works website and SDS has posted the following statement:
'SDS is experiencing a high level of demand as we clear our remaining stock and service our loyal customers. Staff are working to ensure available goods are delivered in a timely manner, however some customers may experience some minor delays with deliveries.'
The SDS office supplies business was estimated to be worth around $65 million, serviced by around 400 suppliers.
SDS's operations are now restricted to the supply of furniture, publications and logistics to the Queensland education and government sector.
Paper Handling Equipment (PHE) general manager Garry Hengst told Stationery News that the closure of the SDS office supplies business will result in an “open slather” situation, which will benefit the larger contract-based office suppliers, such as Corporate Express and OfficeMax.
PHE supplied SDS with a range of product, including paper shredders, binding machines and laminating equipment.
It's understood around 100 staff have been affected by the closure of the SDS office supply operations with some re-employed by CE and OfficeMax.
