Winc Australia launches work from home kits

Wednesday 18 March 2020

Sydney, Australia.

Flexible working essentials home delivered

With many Australian companies now sending workers home to help #flattenthecurve, workplace solutions retailer Winc Australia is launching two work from home kits designed to support flexible working home delivered.

There’s the ‘Technology Essentials’ Kit, which includes a wireless keyboard and mouse, webcam, monitor and HDMI cable, to make video conferencing a breeze. Then there’s the ‘Everyday Essentials’ Kit, filled with pens, tissues, sticky notes, a headset, plus tea and coffee supplies to ensure no-one misses that mid-morning coffee break.

Winc Australia’s CEO Peter Kelly says: “With many Australian workplaces well into their COVID-19 prevention planning, flexible working – or working from home more specifically – is slated to become the new necessary.

As one of Australia’s largest business to business retailers, our role is to provide everything Australian workplaces need to work. For Australia’s office-based workplaces right now, that means providing employees with the practical tools they need to work from home,” he explained.

Winc is also offering Cloud solutions and ergonomically designed home office desks and chairs for home delivery.

Organisations wanting to take advantage of the Winc Work from Home Kits for their workforce can place orders through winc.com.au. The ‘Everyday Essentials’ Kit would normally retail for $44.20 but is being made available for $34.95. The ‘Technology Essentials’ Kit would normally retail for $730.27 but is being made available for $578.88.

ENDS 

For more information, please contact Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996

Winc Australia names Peter Kelly as CEO

Wednesday 11 March 2020

Sydney, Australia.

New leadership to unlock new growth opportunities.

Workplace solutions supplier, Winc Australia, has today confirmed the appointment of Peter Kelly to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Winc Australia and OfficeMax New Zealand.

Winc, which stands for Work Incorporated, is a Platinum Equity company, supplying office essentials, furniture, safety equipment and IT solutions. Winc is focused on enabling businesses through the delivery of everything a workplace needs to work – supporting learners, carers and workers across the corporate, government, education and healthcare sectors. Around 200 dedicated Winc drivers deliver over 50,000 boxes to customers every working day.

Across both the Australian and New Zealand businesses, 2,000 employees serve the needs of over 100,000 customers from 37 locations including seven major distribution centres, five of which are in Australia.

Renee Koontz, Principal at Platinum Equity believes there’s a tremendous growth opportunity for both OfficeMax New Zealand and Winc. “Under the last several months we have been aggressively revamping our operations model to better serve customers and drive growth in key segments. In Australia, for instance, we have transformed our customer focus by restructuring around five major industry types. This enables us to deliver deep industry expertise and understanding to our customers in the government, education, care, industrial and professional services sectors. Peter brings the right passion to continue that transformation journey with more than 30 years of demonstrating strategic leadership to quickly and successfully drive business growth. He has led a number of high-profile businesses in both Australia and abroad, including SPC Ardmona and Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and South Korea. We’re delighted Peter is bringing his extensive experience onboard.”

Peter was previously CEO of Blackwoods, a major provider of industrial and safety supplies.

“I’m really looking forward to optimising and building on the existing foundations to unlock new growth opportunities for the business. I am thrilled to join the Winc team and look forward to working with our employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to build on our strengths and drive the company to even greater levels of success,” said Peter.

Previously known as Staples and Corporate Express, Winc Australia also includes the newly integrated OfficeMax Australia business, which was acquired by Platinum Equity in February 2018.

ENDS 

For more information, please contact Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996

About Winc

Winc is a workplace support company. We source, package and deliver everything a workplace needs to work across office essentials, furniture, safety equipment and complex technology solutions. Our vision is to actively contribute to the success of every worker, learner and carer in the country, every day. That means everything from helping children around the country to reach their full potential by having the right tools to support their learning, to enabling Australian workers to perform their best whatever they do, wherever they are. We’re here for all organisations, whether they’re a small business or large enterprise, in education or health, private sector or government. From office, school, facilities and safety essentials, services like print and marketing, to demonstrating what more is possible with our technology and workspace solutions, Winc has a wide product range that can be tailored to your needs.

About Platinum Equity

Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $13 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a $6.5 billion global buyout fund, and Platinum Equity Small Cap Fund, a $1.5 billion buyout fund focused on investment opportunities in the lower middle market. Platinum Equity specialises in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 23 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 250 acquisitions.

Corporate Express gets a refresh thanks to Winc Australia

Monday 13 January 2020

Sydney, Australia.

Workplace solutions provider Winc Australia has announced a refresh of the Corporate Express brand as part of the evolution of its private label strategy.

While Winc sources, packs and delivers everything a workplace needs to work across complex technology solutions, furniture as well as health and safety, the refreshed Corporate Express product offering focuses on office essentials. Ethically sourced and quality tested, signature products in the range include name card accessories, lanyards and key holders.

In Australia, the range is available on Winc’s NetXpress, Welcome and retail sites. In New Zealand, the Corporate Express range will be sold exclusively by OfficeMax New Zealand.

The Corporate Express brand is much loved and highly trusted given its long history in the market, says Adelle Howse, Interim CEO of Winc Australia and OfficeMax New Zealand. “The brand has a long association with Winc, and before that Staples, and see a real opportunity in expanding the Corporate Express range moving forward.

The Corporate Express brand is built on the idea of reliability, convenience and quality. This refresh has been designed to leverage this strength to generate long-term benefits in both Australia and New Zealand,” she explained.

So confident is Winc in the quality of the Corporate Express offering that customers buying from the Corporate Express range are being offered a 100% money back guarantee.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Caroline Astrand at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / caroline.astrand@winc.com.au  

Educators urged to increase focus on mental wellbeing in the classroom

Thursday 17 October 2019

Sydney, Australia.

According to two of Australia’s leading mental health experts, depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders in children can be prevented and part of the solution lies in a greater focus on mental wellbeing in the classroom.

“With half of all mental health conditions in Australia emerging before the age of 14, it’s likely several children and young people in any one educator’s care will be affected by a mental health condition. Yet the research shows that in many cases these conditions are not inevitable. They can, in fact, be prevented,” explains Dr Martin, a Clinical Psychologist from Prevention United, a charity dedicated to preventing mental health conditions.

What’s more, recent research shows that one in five preschool children are developmentally vulnerable in one of more aspects of mental wellbeing before starting school in Australia, and in any given year, one in seven children between the ages of four and 17 will experience a mental health condition.

It’s these alarming statistics that led Dr Luke Martin to work with fellow Prevention United colleague and Public Health Advocate, Dr Stephen Carbone, to develop a unique new resource for educators, across the early learning, primary and secondary space, to help maximise the mental wellbeing of their students and prevent the development of mental health conditions.

The One Step Ahead Toolkit has been produced in partnership with Winc, one of Australia’s leading providers of education supplies. The toolkit is unique in that it shifts the focus from just the identification and support of students with mental health conditions, to include prevention strategies designed to build and foster mental wellbeing.

The toolkit covers the eight pillars that enable educators to work across the mental health continuum and includes lots of useful information and practical tips.

“What many do not appreciate is that teachers are in a unique position to help reduce the likelihood of children and young people developing mental health conditions. It’s not just about reducing risk of conditions either. There are numerous secondary benefits associated with the promotion of mental wellbeing – increased creativity and productivity is just the start. Better study and work outcomes, better relationships and lower rates of physical health conditions are some of the other benefits attached to creating a mentally healthy environment,” Dr Martin added.

According to Dr Carbone, this approach isn’t any different to the longstanding, proactive approach schools have had to physical health promotion. “Think about the effort schools have put into reducing students’ exposure to UV radiation to prevent skin cancers, as well as promoting physical activity and healthy eating to tackle obesity, diabetes and heart disease.”

“It should be just as important to focus on mental health promotion as physical health promotion,” Dr Carbone explained.

The One Step Ahead Toolkit is available at www.winc.com.au/services/healthy-mindful-minds. Hard copies are also being distributed to all schools and early learning centres currently serviced by Winc free of charge.

To support educators even further, a series of in-classroom resources including activities and posters are also available. In addition, a series of free webinars, on the topics of Educator Self-Care and Managing Anxiety in the Classroom, are being held throughout October. For details visit www.winc.com.au/services/healthy-mindful-minds.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Universal workplace cultural training program created in Australian first

Monday 30 September 2019

Sydney, Australia.

Evolve Communities, with the support of workplace solutions provider Winc Australia, has created Australia’s first universal workplace cultural awareness program that can be undertaken online in under one hour.

The program is being rolled out for Winc’s 1,600 team members as part of the organisation’s fourth Reconciliation Action Plan to create a better understanding of Indigenous communities.

The program is unique in that it is the first developed to appeal to a range of employee types from senior leaders to those working on the shop floor. It also differs from other solutions in that it is the first training of its kind to have been designed and narrated by an Aboriginal Elder in consultation with a non-Indigenous engagement expert. It is a living example of practical reconciliation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working together.

“Anyone who undertakes this program will be left with a deeper understanding and appreciation of why Indigenous cultural awareness is important and how it impacts daily business. Cultural awareness training is an important step for any organisation serious about contributing to Australia’s reconciliation efforts.

We’re delighted to be able to work with Winc to extend our existing cultural training product range with this new offer which fulfils a unique need,” says Aunty Munya Andrews, Aboriginal Elder and Co-Director of Evolve Communities.

This new interactive online training program takes 50-55 minutes to complete. Employees can log in and out at any point in time, so it does not need to be completed in one sitting.

“At Winc, we source, package and deliver everything a workplace needs to work across office essentials, furniture, safety equipment and complex technology solutions. In doing so, we support 10 Supply Nation certified Indigenous SMEs by leveraging the expertise within our business to sell and grow their product offering and their brands. Our work with Evolve Communities is an extension of that,” says Darren Fullerton, CEO of Winc Australia.

“Not only are we able to encourage all areas of our diverse workplace to become more culturally aware through offering this new online training, but we’re also able to support Evolve by creating something with them that they can now on-sell to other organisations like ours,” added Darren.

Winc has added the cultural awareness training to its eLearning portal and is aiming for 100% completion from its office-based staff, salespeople and warehouse workers.

The training encourages team members to:

• Develop skills to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Better understand Indigenous cultural diversity
• Increase self-awareness of privilege and unconscious bias
• Know what they can do to make a difference

Companies interested in taking up the new Evolve Communities offer for their employees as part of their own reconciliation efforts can visit www.evolves.com.au

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Winc Australia relaunches its IT Asset Disposal Program to coincide with the Victorian Government e-waste bin ban

Monday 29 July 2019

Sydney, Australia.

Winc Australia has announced the relaunch of its IT Asset Disposal program which will help businesses by maximising the economic and social potential of their old IT assets.

E-waste – or electronic waste – is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that is no longer working or wanted. E-waste is growing three times faster than the rate of standard municipal waste according to Sustainability Victoria and contains many potentially hazardous and valuable materials, which don’t belong in landfill.

To help protect our environment and recover more precious resources, the Victorian Government put in place a ban on e-waste going to landfill earlier this month.

As e-waste can still hold value, Winc Australia is providing businesses with a tailored IT Life Cycle Management solution. This management solution can help reduce the cost and complexity of IT management from the time of purchase until asset disposal, managing corporate risk and Government compliance and increasing the return across IT assets.

“Old equipment such as PCs, devices, enterprise servers, storage systems, photocopiers, printers, networking products, IT monitors and TVs may still hold value, so you’ll want to check what they’re worth before sending them off to be recycled,” says Winc Australia CEO Darren Fullerton.

“Our IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) program can put a value on your old IT assets, providing you with a credit to put towards new and replacement assets and future Winc purchases,” he added.

If, for some reason, an organisation’s e-waste cannot be recycled in the above way, Winc also provides an environmentally friendly recycling service for any item that has no commercial resale value (due to age or condition). The Winc program guarantees “minimal landfill” and involves detailed disassembly of each item of equipment, with various components then sold to specialist recyclers around the world. Due to the labour-intensive nature of this solution, disposal comes at a “per unit” cost.

For more information on this initiative visit: https://www.winc.com.au/services/blog/ewastemanagement/

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Australia’s leading science communicators lend weight to algorithm driven steam grants program for schools

Monday 13 May 2019

Sydney, Australia.

Inspiring more kids to explore our universe from the depths of the oceans to far reaches of space has motivated Swinburne University astrophysicist Associate Professor Alan Duffy to join marine biologist and whale snot researcher Dr Vanessa Pirotta in fronting a unique STEAM Grants Program designed to support Australia’s schools.

The OfficeMax and Winc STEAM Grant-Bot Program will see a smart algorithm called Grant give away funds to teachers wanting more STEAM resources (or STEM as it is known in NSW) for the classroom.

Professor Alan Duffy explains: “I was fascinated by the world around me growing up, especially the night sky! But it was at school that I learned how to actually understand it all by performing experiments. Ensuring the generation in school today have access to exciting experiments is key for me, as it will teach them not just how to ask questions of the world, but also to gain answers from it.”

Dr Vanessa Pirotta explains: “As a young girl I was drawn to the animal section of the library, and by year four, science class became my favourite lesson. I loved to explore and ask questions and ultimately this led me to follow my passion and become a scientist. It’s important for young minds to see people in my role, especially for girls. I am thrilled to help teachers navigate STEAM in today’s classroom.”

STEAM is about the skills required to learn science, technology, arts and mathematics, and how engineering and design processes and principles are used to achieve an outcome. Initially, students of STEAM need to identify a problem. They then create possible solutions to that problem, which can be tested. The skills are inquiry-based approaches to teaching and learning.

STEAM is important for future generations because future jobs will require problem solving skills, innovative and creative thinking and digital skills. Improving STEAM education has become a national priority amid plans to grow Australia’s economy and coincides with significant demand for STEAM specialists in Australian primary and secondary schools. Future generations need to learn how to think critically and flexibly in order to adapt to this rapidly changing world.

The OfficeMax and Winc Grant-Bot Program has been designed to give STEAM in schools an extra boost by providing grants that will give schools the opportunity to secure extra funding for hands on classroom resources as well as accessing lesson plans and inquiry units on the Cool Australia website. As a major supplier of the resources Australia’s students use to learn, the OfficeMax and Winc Grant-Bot Program is a key way for OfficeMax and Winc to invest back into STEAM learning.

This is particularly important given that recent research shows most Australian primary school teachers do not have an educational background in a STEAM discipline. According to Australian Council for Educational Research, Melbourne, 2012, only 16 per cent of Year 4 students were taught science by a teacher who specialised or majored in science, and only 20 per cent had a teacher who specialised in mathematics. Further to this, the State of Our Schools 2016 Report revealed that 51 per cent of the principals have maths and science classes taught by teachers who are not fully qualified in those specialist areas.

Grant, the smart algorithm behind the OfficeMax and Winc STEAM Grant-Bot Program will be selecting all the grant finalists alongside a panel with Associate Professor Alan Duffy and Dr Vanessa Pirotta selecting the winners. The competition is now live and closes on 12 July. Any school teacher can enter by answering in 250 words or less why you and your school deserve to win a STEAM grant at www.impressgrantbot.com.au

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Celeste Jones at Winc Australia on 0449 979 966 / celeste.jones@winc.com.au

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Indigenous partnership behind landmark defibrillator announcement

Tuesday 14 May 2019

Sydney, Australia.

Last week’s announcement from Woolworths that it would become the first major retailer in Australia to order and install defibrillators on a mass scale gave the Indigenous business owners from Integrity Health & Safety, Liam Harte and Brad Goodwin, cause for celebration.

The pair, who are also intensive care paramedics, have witnessed the life and death difference defibrillators can make in the event of a cardiac arrest on the job. Becoming frustrated with the lack of Government legislation around which businesses or industries should be required to have a defibrillator, Liam and Brad decided to partner with workplace support company Winc Australia to make a range of defibrillators available to Australia’s biggest businesses. When Winc’s customer Woolworths confirmed an order of Liam and Brad’s units, it became one of Australia’s biggest corporate commitments to defibrillator accessibility in the nation’s history.

“This is such as significant development for Australia. The importance of having early access to a defibrillator in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest can’t be under estimated. For every passing minute after a cardiac arrest without CPR or access to a defibrillator to restart the heart, the likelihood of long-term damage in a patient increases by 10 per cent. Over the last few years I’ve seen defibrillators become more available. Where there is one available, I’ve seen a drastic increase in positive outcomes,” explained Liam.

Each year in Australia around 15,000 suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest. Only 5,000 recover.

Integrity Health and Safety is an Indigenous business dedicated to improving Indigenous health capability. The company does this through the marketing and sale of health and safety products including first aid-kits, cleaning products and sunscreens – as well as the defibrillators.

Liam and Brad have been working with Winc since 2017 to make their products available to the corporate, healthcare, education, industrial and Government sectors. Integrity uses proceeds from customer relationships to build Indigenous healthcare capability by funding CPR and Leadership training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives. Integrity also funds immunisation courses so that flu vaccinations can be administered in a culturally appropriate manner in Indigenous communities.

According to Winc Australia CEO Darren Fullerton, the partnership with Integrity is a great example of how a procurement-based organisation like Winc can create social and economic benefits for Indigenous communities by connecting Indigenous business owners with an extensive network of customers. “For Integrity, we provide ready access to all the infrastructure, marketing and sales support required to generate large scale demand. For our customers, like Woolworths, it’s a simple and easy solution to ensuring the needs of its organisation are met while also fulfilling important Corporate Social Responsibility commitments at the same time,” said Darren.

Integrity is just one of 10 Indigenous brands that Winc Australia offers to its customers. The social value of Indigenous spend through Winc, which includes customers like Woolworths, increased by 70% last year compared to the year previous. The company expects to see a similar increase again in 2019.

Woolworths stores in regional and rural communities, or areas where it may be hard to access a medical site, will be the first priority to have defibrillators installed. Around 500 stores will have the defibrillators by the end of June.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Winc Australia launches Cloud Market Place

Wednesday 8 May 2019

Sydney, Australia.

Australia’s long-standing Microsoft licensing solution provider and Microsoft Gold Partner, Winc Australia, has today launched the Cloud. Winc Marketplace with a focus on bundled technology solutions for the SMB market.

Winc’s new self-service portal offers monthly subscription-based licensing to customers who want to efficiently scale up or scale down in real time to reflect the changing needs of their businesses.

The Winc offer also includes complementary solutions around the Microsoft programs such as virtualised back up, additional security and infrastructure as a service. Winc is using its deep knowledge of the category, as well as its unrivalled expertise in insights-led procurement, to ensure each Cloud. Winc customer has the right solution to meet its unique needs.

“Winc sources, packages and delivers whatever a workplace needs to work across office essentials, furniture, safety equipment – and now with Cloud. Winc Marketplace – the complete package when it comes to complex technology solutions,” explains Darren Fullerton, Winc Australia CEO.

“Our long heritage in technology procurement means we’re uniquely placed to be able to remove so many of the pain points commonly experienced by SMBs who attempt to navigate this space on their own. We’ve essentially already done all the heavy lifting many times over. By looking after end-to-end IT set up for our customers, we free companies to do what they do best,” he added.

Once customers are signed up, software deployment to users is almost immediate.

“Simple things like centralised billing and user usage reports make the Cloud. Winc Marketplace a better way to work,” concluded Darren.

Free Cloud.Winc Marketplace trials are currently available. For more information, please visit: https://www.winc.com.au/services/cloud-winc/

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Caroline Astrand at Winc Australia on 0434 249 182 / caroline.astrand@winc.com.au

Winc launches new brand campaign

Thursday 14 March 2019

Sydney, Australia.

Winc Australia, one of the nation’s biggest dedicated workplace support companies, has released a new brand awareness campaign as it looks to expand its share of the multi-billion-dollar B2B retail category.

Winc sources, packages and delivers whatever a workplace needs to work across office essentials, furniture, safety equipment and complex technology solutions. The ‘Ticks all your boxes’ campaign, developed by brand agency Joy, aims to showcase the breadth of personalised solutions on offer from the B2B retailer.

“As a relatively new brand, many potential customers are still only just discovering the full remit of who we are and what we do. This brand awareness campaign has been designed to fast track that,” explained George O’Neil, Chief Marketing Officer of Winc Australia.

Launched in September 2017, Winc stands for Work Incorporated. Winc Australia is the result of the acquisitions of the Staples, Corporate Express and OfficeMax businesses in Australia – and also includes Business Interiors which is a premium office design division for corporate fit-outs.

The business is focused on supporting learners, carers and workers across the corporate, government, education and healthcare sectors.

“With our deep customer insights and knowledge, we understand workplaces like no other business in Australia. We don’t just deliver stationery in boxes – although we do a lot of that with over 50,000 boxes delivered a day. We also free companies to do what they do best by taking care of everything a workplace needs to work. That includes everything from trusted every day brands through to complex technology and business support services,” explains George.

Andrew Wynne, Principal of the Joy Agency says, “Winc is an incredibly diverse business, with a diverse offer – but what sets it apart is its ability to deliver insightful, personalised service to customers, at scale – Winc literally ticks all the product, price AND service boxes of their customers.”

The ‘Ticks all your boxes’ campaign will be pushed out across Facebook and LinkedIn targeting decision makers and end users in the professional services, industrial, care and SMB space. View the spot here.

Credits:

Chief Marketing Officer: George O’Neil

Senior Marketing Manager: Stephanie Levy

Brand Manager: Vanessa Veljanovski

Creative agency – JOY Agency

Agency Principal: Andrew Wynne

Creative Head: Ben Pearce

Creative Head:  Dan O’Bey

Senior Account Manager: Rick Curtis

Production house – Eden Creative

Director: Adam Saunders

Executive Producer: Adam Eden

Producer: Erin Sheehan

Art Department: Jaqui Hudson

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Linda Reid at Winc Australia on 0417 800 996 / linda.reid@winc.com.au

Caroline Astrand at Winc Australia on 0434 249 182 / caroline.astrand@winc.com.au

Winc becomes first Bureau Veritas client in Australia and New Zealand to achieve new ISO 45001 standard

Tuesday 18 September 2018

Sydney, Australia.

Winc has achieved the new ISO 45001:2018 standard for Occupational Health and Safety, transitioning from the 2015 ISO standards for Quality, Environmental and Safety.

Andy Lewis, Risk and Corporate Compliance Director at Winc, said this is a fantastic achievement for the Winc business and its customers, and it’s evidence of the commitment from our leaders to ensure we all remain safe.

“The new standard provides us with a framework to focus on delivering best practice injury and illness prevention, and increasing our people’s awareness of hazards and risks through communication and strategic training.”

“Being pro-active and focussing on prevention means we’ll be keeping our people safer and reducing the time required for management and recovery post-injury.”

The new ISO 45001:2018 standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems was introduced in March this year, with Bureau Veritas being granted formal accreditation by JAS-ANZ to deliver ISO 45001 certification in Australia and New Zealand in June. Soon after, Winc commenced its re-certification process against ISO 9001:2015 standard for Quality, ISO 14001:2015 standard for Environmental and OHSAS 18001:2007 for Safety.

Winc is the 16th business in Australia and New Zealand to achieve ISO 45001:2018 and Bureau Veritas’s first client to achieve the new standard.

Bureau Veritas’ General Manager Certification and Sustainability, Jeremy Leu said: “Winc has worked strongly to achieve ISO 45001 Certification, and their hard work has been rewarded. The Winc team have shown a commitment to changing their business internally in the areas of Health & Safety to ensure they successfully achieve certification to the new standard. We congratulate Winc and are proud to have them as our first client to achieve ISO 45001 certification”.

Winc is also the first National Safety Council of Australia partner to achieve the new standard.

Jamie Burrage, General Manager of the NSCA Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to acknowledge Winc as being one of the first Australian organisations to achieve ISO 45001:2018 standard. Winc has demonstrated what can be achieved with the right leadership and total support from top management. As a Platinum Partner of the NSCA Foundation, we’re proud to support Winc’s recent certification as an example of total commitment to organisational safety”.

ENDS

For more information or images, please contact marketing@winc.com.au

About Winc

We’re Winc. And we stand for Work Incorporated.

Winc is a company that exists to inspire millions of people in Australia and New Zealand with new and better ways to work and learn. We believe that work should allow people to create, play and do more. We’re a company that truly understands the future of working and learning, while also making a genuine impact on our local communities today.

We’re here for all organisations, whether they’re small business or large enterprise, in education or health, private sector or government. From office, school, facilities and safety essentials, services like print and marketing, to demonstrating what more is possible with our technology and workspace solutions, Winc has a wide product range that can be tailored to your needs. What’s more it’s delivered with new knowledge to help you go even further.

And it’s all available in the one place, easy, simple and intuitive to access from both desktop and mobile. Possibilities turned into reality. Solutions, delivered straight to your desk.

Winc and AIME team up with new art product range supporting Indigenous Australian students

Monday 9 October 2017

Sydney, Australia. Winc (formerly Staples) and AIME have today launched a new product range, developed by Indigenous students that will support young Indigenous Australians in education.

All profits from the 15 piece collection – a range of notebooks, pens, mugs, pencil cases and umbrellas – will go to the AIME Education Program which aims to support 10,000 Indigenous children across Australia each year.

The collection showcases the artwork of three young Indigenous students – Robert Tighe, Tanisha Lovett and Joshua Wilson, who all participated in an AIME “Collaborate” camp in 2016, supported by the Winc team.

The AIME program is a dynamic educational offering that supports Indigenous students through high school and into university, employment or further education by giving them the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence.

Winc and AIME have been working together over the last four years on a number of projects to support young Indigenous Australians including leadership development courses, cultural awareness programs and fundraising events.

Winc CEO Darren Fullerton said: “This is a milestone moment for us and a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in our Indigenous communities. This is a natural partnership for us and a positive extension of our purpose to make working and learning more creative, productive and fulfilling.

“We outlined our commitment to bringing this collection to life in our Reconciliation Action Plan last year and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to see this come to life in such a vibrant and lively way. This is a great way for us to help our customers, employees and the general public build a better understanding of Indigenous culture.”

AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft says the range represents more than just a product line: “Imagine if every time you sipped a cup it sang you a story. Imagine if every time you put pen to paper you wrote with a deeper force behind you. Imagine if when it rained, you took cover under a canvas that spoke back to the skies.

“This product range is a mix of people’s lives, people’s stories. These are the tales of the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids and we are very proud to partner with Winc to support this.”

The product range is available for purchase now.

Note to news editors:

To view the product range click here
For a sample product, please reach out using the details below

For more information or images, please contact:

Linda Reid
Head of Communications
linda.reid@winc.com.au
+61 417 800 996

Students to give Games Village the Winc of approval.

5 September 2017

Gold Coast, Queensland Winc (formerly Staples) today announced a partnership with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) being named the official Office and Stationery Supplier for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Winc has been working with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games for over two years providing a range of office stationery and supply solutions, including indigenous Australian owned product lines to support the GOLDOC’s growing workforce through until Games time.

The company is also helping deliver innovative elements of the Games, working with GOLDOC on the Schools Connect Program, where students from prep to Year 10 will paint over 7,000 canvasses supplied by Winc to 111 Gold Coast schools.

The canvasses will be painted by students in the theme of “Our Place” to promote what is great about life on the Gold Coast. The final artwork will be hung in the rooms of athletes at the Commonwealth Games Village for the competing athletes.

Winc Chief Executive Darren Fullerton said: “We are very proud to play such an important role in supporting students, athletes and workers during the Commonwealth Games.

“As part of our mission, we want to inspire the 11 million Australian workers and learners to play more, learn more and do more and inspire better ways to get things done – this partnership absolutely makes that happen.”

GOLDOC Chairman, Peter Beattie AC said Winc were another welcomed addition to the GC2018 Sponsor Family.

“Our commercial program is crucial to the success of the Games. It is a key pillar in helping us to deliver the cheapest possible tickets to events so Queensland and Australian families have the opportunity to attend the biggest event in Queensland’s history.

“We’d love to see the athletes take these home as a memento of their time on the Gold Coast. You never know; the budding artists might end up being future Games athletes or forge a career in the art world.”

GOLDOC Chief Executive, Mark Peters said: “Winc has been a great support to GOLDOC, supplying all our needs to run an expanding organisation as we prepare for the Games.

“Winc have also worked with us closely on some of our unique product requirement, including this student artwork project that will bring the Commonwealth Games Village to life for Australian and International Athletes. This program is another way of keeping the Games front of mind for local schools and is part of a wider body of work GC2018 is doing through our Schools Connect program.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the student artwork in the Village as we all work together to deliver a Jimbelung (friendly) Games.”

For more information please contact the marketing team at marketing@winc.com.au.

GC2018

Cobey Moore
Communication and Media Lead
+61 447 109 772

About Winc

We’re Winc. And we stand for Work Incorporated.

Winc is a company that exists to inspire millions of people in Australia and New Zealand with new and better ways to work and learn. We believe that work should allow people to create, play and do more. We’re a company that truly understands the future of working and learning, while also making a genuine impact on our local communities today.

We’re here for all organisations, whether they’re small business or large enterprise, in education or health, private sector or government. From office, school, facilities and safety essentials, services like print and marketing, to demonstrating what more is possible with our technology and workspace solutions, Winc has a wide product range that can be tailored to your needs. What’s more it’s delivered with new knowledge to help you go even further.

And it’s all available in the one place, easy, simple and intuitive to access from both desktop and mobile. Possibilities turned into reality. Solutions, delivered straight to your desk.

Staples ANZ breaks out of the pack with new company name, identity and significant transformation investment.

7 August 2017

Today Staples Australia & New Zealand announced a new challenger brand, identity and transformation plan to the market. This announcement comes after Platinum Equity purchased the Australia and New Zealand business from Staples Inc earlier this year.

The company serves over 26,000 customers in industries across Australia and New Zealand including some of the countries’ largest financial institutions, telcos, healthcare providers and universities.

The new name, Winc, a creative take on “work incorporated” is a deliberate breakaway from traditional competitors and represents the company’s focus beyond office products and intention to meet the changing needs of both workers and learners.

Chief Executive Darren Fullerton said: “This brand is designed to bring a breath of fresh air to an industry that has been historically quite traditional and predictable.

“It represents our shift from offering products to providing solutions and inspiring a better way for workers and learners to get things done. By its nature, it also gives us the ability to flex and add adjacent solutions and offerings to meet our customers’ needs both now and into the future.”

In addition to the new identity, the company also announced today significant investment in its supply chain, digital experience and a new offering to give customers’ data driven insights into the overall performance of their company.

“This represents a shift that goes far deeper than our new name and identity. This will be the start of a complete change to the customer experience.

“It is more than defending disruption from the likes of Amazon, it’s about developing our ability to see around corners and fully anticipate customer needs. We are also investing in a best-in-class digital experience, complete with artificial intelligence and full automation to remove friction in the cart process.

“Our competitive edge sits in our deep domain expertise. With our new customer insight report, called The Winc Review, we will provide a new level of insight and data for our customers into their own supply chain, innovation, compliance, cost management and sustainability. This information will in turn allow them to improve the overall health of their business in these critical areas.”

The company also has plans to further strengthen their last mile delivery model that significantly sets them apart in the marketplace.

“Our drivers know our customers’ personally – in many cases they see them every day with a straight to desk and doorstep delivery experience. You don’t get this experience when you buy straight from an e-Commerce site. This is something our customers in Australia and New Zealand have told us time again that they value and we are making investments to make this experience even better.”

The company will begin doing business as Winc starting September 4 2017 in Australia and New Zealand.

Note to news editors:

To view the new brand video click here. For more information or images, please contact marketing@winc.com.au.

About Winc

We’re Winc. And we stand for work incorporated.

Winc is a company that exists to inspire millions of people in Australia and New Zealand with new and better ways to work and learn. We believe that work should allow people to create, play and do more and inspire better ways to get things done. From office, school, facilities and safety essentials, services like print and marketing, to demonstrating what more is possible with our technology and workspace solutions, Winc has a wide product range that can be tailored to you and yours.

Platinum Equity Completes Acquisition of Staples’ Business in Australia and New Zealand

28 April 2017

Platinum Equity today announced it has completed the acquisition of the Staples business in Australia and New Zealand from Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) for an undisclosed sum.

Staples is a supplier of business products, services and solutions in Australia and New Zealand. The company serves a diverse variety of customers, ranging from small-and-medium businesses to large enterprises, including federal, state and territory levels of government in both countries.

Following the transition to new ownership, the acquired business will continue to operate under the Staples brand in Australia and New Zealand for a short period of time while a new corporate brand is created.

About Platinum Equity

Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com) is a global investment firm with more than $11 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 30 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a $6.5 billion global buyout fund. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 20 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 185 acquisitions.

Platinum Equity to Acquire Staples’ Business in Australia and New Zealand

13 March 2017

Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) and Platinum Equity today announced a definitive agreement under which Platinum Equity will acquire Staples’ business in Australia and New Zealand for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2017.

Staples is a leading supplier of business products, services and solutions in Australia and New Zealand. The company serves a diverse variety of customers, ranging from small-and-medium businesses to large enterprises, including federal, state and territory levels of government in both countries.

“As we execute our plan for long-term growth we want to focus primarily on our Staples’ North American business, and this will allow us to better do that,” said Shira Goodman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Staples, Inc. “Working with Platinum, we believe the Australian and New Zealand businesses will be well positioned for the future, ultimately helping our customers and associates succeed.”

Platinum Equity is a leading global private equity firm with a highly specialized focus on business operations and more than 20 years’ experience acquiring and operating businesses that have been part of large corporate entities. Earlier today the firm announced the closing of Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a $6.5 billion global buyout fund focused on acquiring businesses that can benefit from Platinum’s operational and financial resources.

Platinum Equity, which has portfolio company operations on all seven continents, has been actively pursuing investment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand and currently owns a majority stake in Sensis, an Australian directories business acquired from Telstra.

“The Staples business in Australia and New Zealand has extraordinary potential as a standalone enterprise,” said Adam Cooper, principal at Platinum Equity. “It has a strong customer base, dedicated employees and a long history in the markets it serves. We look forward to partnering with the management team to make substantial investments to optimize the company’s digital and systems capabilities with a focus on enhancing the customer experience.”

Following the transition to new ownership, the divested business will continue to operate under the Staples brand in Australia and New Zealand for a short period of time while a new corporate brand is created.

Morgan Stanley is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Staples. Corrs Chambers Westgarth is acting as legal advisor to Staples. Baker McKenzie is acting as legal advisor to Platinum Equity.

About Staples, Inc.
Staples helps business customers make more happen by providing a broad assortment of products, expanded business services and easy ways to shop – in stores, online via mobile or through social apps. Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division, caters to mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized customers by offering a one-source solution for the products and services they need, combined with best-in-class customer service, competitive pricing and a state-of-the-art ecommerce site. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, and Asia. More information about Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com) is a global investment firm with more than $11 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 30 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a $6.5 billion global buyout fund. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 20 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 185 acquisitions.