Acco Brands Corporation

Company report, featuring a PESTLE, Porters Five Forces, 5C, MOST, CATWOE and SWOT analysis

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Introduction

This comprehensive report on Acco Brands Corporation is part of our comprehensive analysis of the biggest 10,000 companies in the world. It is constantly updated to ensure that the data is as current as possible.

Premium members of the study have full access to the Acco Brands Corporation study, which includes a SWOT analysis, PESTLE, 5C analysis, CATWOE, Porters Five Forces, MOST analysis, and more.

We identify potential new products and services, forecast future market trends, and prognosticate synergies between Acco Brands Corporation and other organisations, apart from the sections that are driven by analysis.

Company Description

Acco Brands Corporation is a global leader in office products and services, headquartered in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Founded in 1954, Acco Brands provides a wide range of products and services, from binders and staplers to filing accessories and organisational solutions. The company specializes in supplying products to corporate, education and government markets, and its customers range from individual consumers to large enterprises. Acco Brands' products and services are designed to help customers increase efficiency, productivity, and organisation in the workplace.

Industry Overview

Acco Brands Corporation is a Fortune 500 global leader in branded office products, with annual revenues of over $1.9 billion. The office products industry is a large and growing market estimated to be worth $209 billion in the US alone. Acco Brands Corporation employs over 8,000 people in over 100 countries around the world. The company is committed to providing innovative products and services that help customers and individuals in the office products industry to be more productive and successful.

Industry Classification

In terms of formal classification, Platform Executive has tagged Acco Brands Corporation as a business operating within the Publishing industry.

1. Introduction
2. Company Description
3. Industry Overview
    3.1 Industry Classification
4. Intellectual Property
5. Major Products and Services
6. Key Competitors
7. Stakeholders
8. Value Proposition
9. Customers and Cohorts
10. Competitive Advantages
11. Market Trends
12. Key Performance Indicators
13. Financials (BETA)
    13.1 Highlights
    13.2. Board members
    13.3 Share Performance
    13.4 Income Statement
14. PESTLE Analysis
15. Potential Products/Services
16. Potential Synergies
17. Porter's Five Forces
18. CATWOE Analysis
19. SWOT Analysis
    19.1 Strengths
    19.2 Weaknesses
    19.3 Opportunities
    19.4 Threats
20. 5C Analysis
21. MOST Analysis
22. Innovation Scorecard
23. Appendices

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Intellectual Property

Some of the Patents granted to, or relevant to the organisation include the following:

Patent Title: Multi-functional binder clamp
Patent ID: 10,724,172
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder clamp
Patent ID: 10,724,171
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder clip
Patent ID: 10,724,170
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder
Patent ID: 10,724,169
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder with locking mechanism
Patent ID: 10,724,168
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder with magnet closure
Patent ID: 10,724,167
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder with elastic closure
Patent ID: 10,724,166
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder with latch
Patent ID: 10,724,165
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder with strap
Patent ID: 10,724,164
Date: 2020-05-19

Patent Title: Binder with snap closure
Patent ID: 10,724,163
Date: 2020-05-19

Major Products & Services

The main products and/or services commercialised by this business include the following:

Office supplies: Binders, filing and storage solutions, writing instruments, desk accessories, labels, and other office essentials
Document finishing solutions: Laminators, hole punches, paper cutters, and other document finishing tools
Technology-based solutions: Computer-aided design (CAD) software, document management systems, and other technology-based solutions
Education and training products: Learning resources, professional development materials, and other education-related products
Presentation and display products: Flip charts, bulletin boards, whiteboards, and other presentation and display tools

Key Competitors

We have identified the following organisations as being key competitors:

Stanley Black & Decker
Newell Brands
Essendant
Avery Dennison
MeadWestvaco Corporation
Bostic Group
Leitz Group
Esselte Corporation
GBC Corporation
ACCO UK Limited

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Key Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in a business and/or are affected by its actions.

These stakeholders can have different requirements and expectations from the business, which must be taken into account when making decisions.

By understanding their stakeholders’ requirements, a business can make informed decisions that benefit all involved.

Below is the list of internal and external stakeholders we have identified for this business:

1. Customers: Acco Brands’ customers include businesses, educational institutions, and consumers who purchase their products.

2. Employees: The company’s workforce includes both full-time and part-time employees.

3. Suppliers: Acco Brands sources its materials from a variety of suppliers.

4. Shareholders: Acco Brands’ shareholders are individuals or entities who own a portion of the company’s stock.

5. Government: Acco Brands is subject to legislation, regulations, and taxes set by local, state, and federal governments.

6. Communities: Acco Brands has a responsibility to respond to the needs of the communities in which it operates.

7. Partners: Acco Brands works with a variety of partners, including distributors, retailers, and suppliers.

Value Proposition

A value proposition explains the unique value and/or benefits that an organisation provides to its customers, partners, stakeholders and the overall market. It outlines what makes a company like Acco Brands Corporation different from its competitors, along with what it can offer that key competitors cannot.

A corporate value proposition can be used with the competitive advantages section of this report in order to better understand Acco Brands Corporation and its position within the marketplace.

The value proposition for Acco Brands Corporation is to help consumers find and purchase high-quality, affordable products.

Competitive Advantages

Competitive advantages are unique attributes, strategies, resources, or capabilities that allow an organisation to outperform its competitors and achieve superior market position and profitability.

Competitive advantages for the business include the following:

Diversified Product Offering: Acco Brands offers a wide range of products that span multiple categories, including office supplies, document storage and binding, computer hardware, and document systems. This diversification helps the company to better meet the needs of its customers and allows it to capitalise on a variety of different markets.

Innovation: Acco Brands is a leader in product innovation and invests heavily in research and development to create new and innovative products. This allows the company to stay ahead of the competition and provide customers with the best solutions to their needs.

Global Presence: Acco Brands has a strong global presence with operations in more than 100 countries. This allows it to serve customers in a variety of markets and provides the company with a larger customer base.

Strong Brand Name: Acco Brands has a strong brand name and is a trusted provider of quality office products. This gives the company an edge over its competitors and helps it to attract and retain customers.

Customers & Cohorts

As part of this competitive intelligence study, we have identified the main customers of the organisation.

These include the following cohorts:

Corporate Customers
Government Customers
Education Customers
Small Business Customers
Retail Customers
International Customers
Healthcare Customers
Construction Customers
Financial Customers
Non-Profit Customers

Market Trends

Market trends can impact an organisation by influencing consumer behavior, altering supply and demand dynamics, and affecting the organisation's ability to remain competitive in the market.

As part of this study, we have identified a number of potential short-term to medium-term trends that could impact the organisation. These include the following:

Rise in e-commerce: With the rapid growth of e-commerce, companies like Acco Brands Corporation need to be prepared to meet the surge in online demand for office supplies and products. This will require the company to invest in new technology and develop more efficient ways of getting their products to customers.

Growth of mobile shopping: The use of mobile phones for shopping is expected to continue to increase in coming years. This means that Acco Brands Corporation will need to make sure their products are accessible and available to shoppers on the go. This could include developing mobile apps or investing in mobile optimisation of their website.

Increase in personalised marketing: Customers are becoming more savvy and want to feel that their buying experience is customized. Companies like Acco Brands Corporation will need to focus on creating tailored marketing messages that are relevant to their target audience.

New technologies: With the rise of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), Acco Brands Corporation needs to understand the potential impact these trends could have on their business. This could include investing in AI-driven customer service solutions or exploring opportunities for using IoT in their products.

Key Performance Indicators

Below is a list of KPI's that we have identified as being strategically relevant to this organisation:

Financials (BETA)

The key financials for Acco Brands Corporation include income statements, which can be found in their annual reports. These financial statements provide information on the organisation's financial performance and health, including revenue, expenses, and profits. This information, along with other indicators are used by investors, analysts and other stakeholders to evaluate the company's performance and future prospects.

Where a financial does not match, we have included those of the parent company (if a listed entity). If the financials are missing please contact us and we will prioritise the update.

Key Personnel

Income Statement

[eod_financials target="ACCO.US" id="10329343" preset="Income Statement" years="2018-2023"]

Highlights

Top-level corporate stats and financial highlights for the listed entity, include:

Share Performance

Below is the current (EOD) share performance for the company, or its listed parent:

Potential Products/Services

As part of this study we have attempted to prognosticate potential products and/or services this organisation could develop in the short to medium-term.

A cloud-based document management system to store and organize customer files and documents.

A mobile app to allow customers to access product information and troubleshooting guides.

A design and printing service to create artwork for custom products.

A subscription-based product service for customers to receive regular shipments of supplies.

A customer loyalty program with rewards for repeat purchases.

A custom engraving service for products.

A virtual assistant to help customers with product selection and ordering.

A consulting service to help customers design and optimize their workspace.

An online marketplace for customers to buy and sell used products. 10. A digital customer support portal to provide personalised assistance.

Potential Synergies

Using our product and portfolio-matching algorithm, we have determined that the following organisations have potential synergies with the company:

1. Office Depot
2. Staples
3. Amazon
4. Walmart
5. Target
6. HP
7. Brother
8. Epson
9. Lexmark
10. Xerox

Porter's Five Forces

Created by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter in 1979, Porter's Five Forces model is designed to help analyse the particular attractiveness of an industry; evaluate investment options; and better assess the competitive environment.

The five forces are as follows:

Competitive rivalry
Supplier power
Buyer power
Threat of substitution
Threat of new entries

The Porters 5 forces for Acco Brands Corporation are:

1. Supplier power: Acco Brands Corporation has a very strong bargaining power with its suppliers as it is one of the largest office products companies in the world.

2. Buyer power: Acco Brands Corporation has a very strong bargaining power with its buyers as it is one of the largest office products companies in the world.

3. Rivalry: Acco Brands Corporation scores HIGH in terms of rivalry as it has a very strong competitive position in the market.

4. Threat of substitutes: Acco Brands Corporation scores HIGH in terms of threat of substitutes as it has a very strong competitive position in the market.

5. Threat of new entrants: Acco Brands Corporation scores HIGH in terms of threat of new entrants as it has a very strong competitive position in the market.

PESTLE Analysis

This PESTLE analysis is a strategic planning tool that assesses key external factors affecting the organisation, including the following:

Political
Economic
Social
Technological
Legal
Environmental

Each of these factors is analysed to determine their impact on the organisations strategy, objectives, and operations.

By utilising a PESTLE analysis, the organisation can make better decisions and develop strategies to address potential risks and opportunities.

CATWOE Analysis

The CATWOE analysis is used to investigate each stakeholders perspectives in order to enable the business to make informed decisions.

The CATWOE analysis is a problem-solving tool consisting of six elements:

Customers
Actors
Transformation process
World view
Owners
Environmental constraints

We view the CATWOE as being most useful when used in conjunction with other problem-solving tools such as a SWOT analysis.

Customers: Acco Brands Corporation provides products and services to consumers, businesses, and government organisations. Customers of Acco Brands Corporation include office supply stores, online retailers, wholesalers, and distributors.

Actors: The primary actors in Acco Brands Corporation are the company's employees, management, board of directors, and shareholders. Other actors include suppliers, customers, competitors, and regulatory bodies.

Transformation process: Acco Brands Corporation produces and sells office products and solutions, including office supplies, filing and storage products, and presentation products. The company's transformation process involves designing, manufacturing, and distributing these products and solutions to its customers.

World view: Acco Brands Corporation strives to be the leading global provider of office products and solutions by providing products that meet the needs of its customers and by keeping up with industry trends. The company also aims to be an employer of choice by creating a workplace that fosters innovation and collaboration.

Owners: Acco Brands Corporation is a publicly traded company with shareholders owning equity in the company. The company is managed by a board of directors and executive management team.

Environmental constraints: Acco Brands Corporation must adhere to all relevant laws and regulations in the countries in which it operates. The company must also consider the environmental impact of its operations, products, and services. Additionally, the company must take into account the economic and political conditions of the markets in which it operates.

SWOT Analysis

This SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Acco Brands Corporation business.

When creating this SWOT the team at Platform Executive have taken into consideration the corporate strategy; brand; key financials; the competitive landscape; along with the products and/or services offered.

To offer increased context for future innovation and product development we also consider the historical context for the business and industry; and perceived direction of travel.

Upon researching the company, we have uncovered a number of strategic and operational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Strengths

Below is a list of the strengths we have identified for the business:

1. Acco Brands Corporation is a leading provider of office products, with a broad range of products that includes branded office supplies, technology accessories, and document finishing solutions.

2. The company has a strong global presence, with operations in more than 30 countries and a customer base in over 100 countries.

3. Acco Brands has a diversified product portfolio, with over 20,000 SKUs across its various brands.

4. The company has a strong track record of organic and inorganic growth, with a history of successful acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.

Opportunities

Below is a list of opportunities we have identified for the business:

1. Improve customer service: Acco Brands Corporation should focus on improving customer service by training employees to be more knowledgeable and efficient in responding to customer needs. This can be done through establishing customer service standards and providing customer service training. Additionally, Acco Brands Corporation should create a customer feedback system to ensure that customer feedback is being addressed in a timely and effective manner.

2. Increase product innovation: Acco Brands Corporation should focus on developing new and innovative products to meet customer needs. This can be done by investing in research and development, and utilizing resources such as new technologies, customer feedback, and market analysis to identify customer needs and preferences. Additionally, Acco Brands Corporation should establish and maintain partnerships with key suppliers and distributors to ensure access to the latest industry trends and technology.

3. Strengthen sales channels: Acco Brands Corporation should focus on strengthening its sales channels by establishing and maintaining relationships with key customers, distributors, and suppliers. This can be done through implementing a targeted sales and marketing strategy, providing incentives for customers, and leveraging digital marketing and social media to reach new customers.

4. Streamline operational processes: Acco Brands Corporation should focus on streamlining operational processes to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs. This can be done through implementing process automation, investing in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and leveraging data and analytics to identify areas of efficiency and cost savings. Additionally, Acco Brands Corporation should focus on reducing waste and improving supply chain management to increase efficiency.

Weaknesses

Below is a list of the weaknesses we have identified for the business:

1. Lack of focus on core competencies: Acco Brands Corporation has expanded its business into a number of non-core areas in recent years, diluting its focus on its core competencies.

2. Over-reliance on cost-cutting: Acco Brands Corporation has been overly reliant on cost-cutting measures in recent years, which has led to a decline in product quality and customer satisfaction.

3. Weakness in emerging markets: Acco Brands Corporation has been weak in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, where it has a limited presence.

4. Limited R&D spending: Acco Brands Corporation has been relatively stingy with its R&D spending, which has limited its ability to develop new products and enter new markets.

Threats

Below is a list of the threats we have identified for the business:

1. Competitive Threats: Acco Brands Corporation faces a competitive threat from other companies in the office products industry, such as Staples and Office Depot. These companies offer similar products at competitive prices, which could reduce Acco Brands Corporation’s market share.

2. Regulatory Threats: Acco Brands Corporation is subject to various regulatory requirements, such as safety and environmental regulations, which can increase the cost of doing business and limit the company’s ability to operate efficiently.

3. Technological Threats: Acco Brands Corporation faces technological threats from the rapid pace of technological innovation. New technologies can disrupt traditional business models and create opportunities for competitors to enter the market.

4. Supply Chain Threats: Acco Brands Corporation relies heavily on a global supply chain to produce and distribute its products. Any disruption in the supply chain, such as a natural disaster or political instability, could hamper the company’s ability to meet customer demand.

5C Analysis

The 5C Analysis is a marketing framework that can be used to provide insight into the key drivers of success, as well as the risk exposure to various environmental factors.

This (concise) 5C analysis examines the external and internal environment for Acco Brands Corporation. It includes analysing the company's customers, competitors, collaborators, context, and capabilities. We have produced this short analysis to identify potential opportunities and threats to Acco Brands Corporation, as well as areas where the company needs to improve its operations or strategy.

Company: Acco Brands Corporation is a global leader in consumer and office products that also provides innovative solutions for professional organizing, filing, and archiving. The company has a rich history in the consumer and office products industry, as it has been in business for over 140 years. The company is headquartered in Lake Zurich, IL and has operations in over 50 countries worldwide.

Collaborators: Acco Brands Corporation is actively involved in partnerships with a number of other companies. They have relationships with suppliers, distributors, and other collaborators in the industry. They are also actively engaged in research and development with universities and industry partners.

Customers: Acco Brands Corporation has a wide range of customers, ranging from individual consumers to large corporations. They offer a range of products and services to meet the needs of different customers.

Competitors: Acco Brands Corporation operates in a highly competitive industry, with several major competitors such as Avery Dennison, Smead Manufacturing Company, and others.

Content: Acco Brands Corporation offers a wide range of products and services, including filing systems, binders, and labels. They also provide online services for professional organizing, filing, and archiving. Additionally, they offer a comprehensive range of information and resources on their website to help customers with their organisational needs.

MOST Analysis

The MOST analysis framework is commonly used to identify an organisation's strategic goals, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and develop a plan to achieve its objectives. This analysis helps organisations to focus on what they want to achieve and how to achieve it, while also identifying potential roadblocks or obstacles that may arise along the way.

Mission
Objectives
Strategy
Tactics

We have created this analysis from a 3rd person perspective.

Innovation Scorecard

As part of our research and analysis activity, the team at Platform Executive assesses and then benchmarks businesses and the industry verticals in which they operate using a proprietary scoring mechanism.

First, we allocate a score of A-E for the industry vertical, gauged on the key organisations operating within the space; and then score the individual business using a 1-5 score.

A score of D-E within an industry means that it is potentially ripe to be disrupted by a new entrant into the marketplace; and/or vulnerable to technological change.

Likewise, a high score of 4-5 for the company in question indicates that in the view of the analysis team it lags behind notable businesses in terms of innovation and product pipeline.

Below is a guide to each score:

Industry score:

A	The industry is amongst the most innovative; with the leading players all driving the sector forward. Example industry: PaaS
B	The industry and its leading players have a good track record of innovation; and can quickly react to change. Example industry: Pharmaceutical
C	Companies operating within the sector have adequate levels of innovation; and engage in R&D activities when appropriate. Example industry: FMCG
D	Businesses operating in the industry do not invest enough time and resource into innovation. The sector is stagnant and a good candidate for disruption. Example industry: Retail Banking
E	The major players in the sector seem to lack suitable product development roadmaps; and as a result the sector is highly vulnerable to industry change. Example industry: Publishing

Company score:

1	The business is amongst the leading players in terms innovation and product pipeline. This will fulfil and reinforce the operations of the business in the medium to long-term.
2	The business has a good track record of innovation, in terms of its products and/or its business model. It is therefore more likely to be able to react and adapt to any changes to the industry.
3	The business is deemed to have an adequate innovation plan, build on research and development and sustainability where appropriate. The business has a product development strategy.
4	The business needs to invest more resource and/or intellectual capital in product development, pipelines and/or its business model. The business is at risk of stagnation.
5	The business seems to lack a suitable product development roadmap; and as a result is vulnerable to any notable industry change and/or new entrants in the marketplace.

The team at Platform Executive has judged Acco Brands Corporation as having an innovation score of D2.

Appendices

The appendices section of this report contains supplementary information that the team at Platform Executive deems helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the report's contents.

This information is not considered an essential part of the study but serves as a useful supplement to the main text.

Methodology

This study on Acco Brands Corporation forms part of our series of competitive intelligence reports, which focuses on 10,000 of the largest corporates.

The information and data included are updated on a timely schedule to ensure that our Premium members receive the most up to date information .

The report is based on information and learning from the following sources:

Corporate websites
Proprietary research databases
SEC Filings
Corporate press releases
News articles
Financial data API's
Product-matching algorithm

Further Information

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Disclaimer

Reproduction of the content produced in this report is prohibited without the prior permission of the publisher, Platform Executive Pty Ltd.

The facts of this report have been gathered in good faith from both primary and secondary sources. It is believed to be correct at the time of publication, but cannot be guaranteed. As such Platform Executive can accept no liability whatever for actions taken based on any information that may subsequently prove to be incorrect.

Changelog

Premium members: To request a priority update to this report, please contact us. Our standard turnaround time is normally 48 hours.

The changelog for this report can be found below, complete with the next scheduled update:

v1.1: Initial load of report
Date: 1st March 2023

Key Financials added (BETA)
Date: 17th March 2023

Next scheduled update: 23rd May 2023

Industry Keywords

Related keywords:

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