Office Depot Acquires Allied Promotional Products Group

Office Depot has purchased Allied Office Products, parent of Allied Promotional Products Group (asi/300870). The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. With more than $14 billion in sales and over 1,000 locations in 23 countries, Office Depot's purchase will expand its presence in the U.S. Northeast where the majority of Allied's annual $300 million revenue is generated. "The acquisition is consistent with our strategic initiative to drive profitable market-share growth in our business solutions division," says Brian Levine, spokesperson for Office Depot. "Allied will extend our market reach and help accelerate the growth of Office Depot in this important geographical region."

Allied's executives and sales force will join Office Depot's Business Solutions Division. "We believe," Levine says, "their management experience, national customer base, and knowledgeable sales force are a perfect complement to Office Depot's existing contract organization and infrastructure."