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Up until recently, people could say that the binding and laminating sector was boring, static and not one associated with innovation. For a market with sales worth an estimated $500 million, companies were not doing their best to stay competitive and keep their market share.

But, after ACCO World merged with established manufacturer GBC in 2005, the game changed, as the already powerful duo became the world’s largest branded office products supplier.

Together, they focused their strategy towards the growing SoHo (Small Office Home Office) and mobile sectors. This resulted in double digit growth within the laminating market just before the recession, however, the binding market continued to decline. ACCO’s competitors latched onto this high growth and shortly increased their efforts to catch up.

One such competitor was Fellowes, which moved production from France to China to cut costs, and invested $900,000 to improve it’s product portfolio. The results? Their market share increased from 5% to 14%, with a 48% increase in sales. This dented ACCO’s market share, which reacted by investing more into the product lines, especially in product development.

Shifts in consumer lifestyles had led to this growth in the SoHo and mobile markets. Consumers are now working more on the move and over long distances, and those who work from home or in small offices are increasingly performing their own laminating. Companies have expanded their product lines to meet demand from homes, offices and schools.

Lamination now extends way beyond the basics. Consumers know that not only is it the most effective way to make frequently handled documents i.e. menus, charts, maps etc durable, but it also makes the colours on documents appear sharper. Purchase your laminator today from TheBindingAndLaminatingSupermarket.com; with the lowest online prices on laminators around, you’re bound to make great savings!