Industry Veterans Launch Next-Generation Office Services Company

SADDLE BROOK, N.J., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses seeking a more streamlined way to manage procurement, logistics, and facilities management processes today have a new partner with the launch of HiTouch Business Services, Inc. by industry veterans Howard L. Brown and Michael Brown.

With its innovative and fully integrated suite of products and services, HiTouch Business Services is advancing the office products industry by providing all businesses, including those listed among the FORTUNE 1,000 list, ways to lower costs, increase efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts throughout nearly every facet of a company's operations, including procurement of office supplies, promotional materials, facilities management, office furniture, coffee and break room services, office moves, managed print services, secure document management and destruction.

"Businesses are recovering from this difficult economic period smarter and more disciplined.  They are under extraordinary pressures to manage costs, be more efficient and deliver results in an environmentally responsible way.  Through our innovative and integrated approach, HiTouch Business Services can help businesses meet these challenges because we provide timely solutions that deliver immediate savings, giving companies a competitive advantage in this new economy," said Howard L. Brown, Chief Executive Officer of HiTouch Business Services.  

Mr. Brown has nearly four decades of experience in the commercial office products and services industry.  He purchased Summit Office Supply in 1972, a supply, print service and furniture business with annual sales of $300,000. Summit was purchased by BT in 1987, at which time Mr. Brown began to serve as President for its Northeast Region until 1996, growing the division's revenues to approximately $500 million.  

In January 1998, Mr. Brown formed a new company that purchased Allied Office Products and nine other companies, each of which had a distinct focus such as coffee, office furniture, promotional products and print management.  By unifying these diverse businesses into a single enterprise, Mr. Brown pioneered the new standard of service for the industry.  By creating this single-solution business, Allied became the first to offer a complete line of office and promotional products, printing, coffee and beverage, furniture and managed print services.  Intrigued with its $375 million run rate, Office Depot purchased Allied in May, 2006.

"The office services industry must keep pace with the businesses it serves, all of which continue to evolve in a dynamic and competitive market.  With our deep industry experience, HiTouch can add value to businesses in new, exciting ways," Brown said.  "HiTouch simplifies procurement by making holistic purchasing, logistics, office move and facilities management decisions that consider and benefit the entire enterprise. Our consulting teams take a system-wide perspective, which helps streamline operations and decision making, lower costs, increase productivity and efficiencies, boost profits and deliver on commitments to environmental responsibility," Brown added.

With a comprehensive, national network of distribution facilities, 14 regional sales offices and a team of seasoned consultants and sales professionals, HiTouch Business Services provides office products, office furniture, facilities design and space planning, project and facilities management, coffee and break room services, promotional gifts, managed print services, document and shredding services, moving solutions, asset and inventory management and logistical services to companies across all sectors of the economy.  Benefits to the bottom line include:

• Value-added services through complete outsourcing solutions and management programs from one source supplier, with one invoice and one delivery, for all business needs;
• With HiTouch, businesses can purchase and manage entire office inventories, enabling supplies to be delivered "just in time" to help manage and/or eliminate inventory overhead;
• HiTouch designs robust and custom ordering websites, tailored specifically for individual businesses, allowing internal departments to order supplies or services directly, which effectively controls costs, increases reporting proficiencies, which is ideal for billing by department; and
• HiTouch bundles a vast array of products and services — including Complete Moving System™ offered through our subsidiary Rentacrate — that save money and reduce impacts on the environment.  For example, selecting reusable plastic crates rather than cardboard boxes minimizes deforestation and solid waste disposal issues.

"Disciplined businesses in this new economy demand a fresh approach to how they manage procurement, logistics, and facilities management processes.  HiTouch offers unique solutions to how businesses manage costs, use office space most efficiently, and control and report on soft and hard costs.  HiTouch will deliver a new level of service that businesses have come to expect from our leadership team," Mr. Brown added.  

About HiTouch Business Services

Launched by a team of the office products industry's most seasoned veterans, HiTouch Business Services is a full-service company with a nationwide network of local distribution centers, providing a wide range of office productivity services in a personalized and environmentally responsible way.  HiTouch Business Services' team of experienced professionals provides an innovative and consultative approach to procurement management, office logistics, and facilities management processes.  HiTouch Business Services offers a wide range of office products including: standard office products, office furniture, facilities design and space planning, project and facilities management, coffee and break room services, promotional gifts, managed print services, document and shredding services, moving solutions, asset and inventory management and logistical services.  Visit HiTouch on the Web at: www.HiTouchServices.com.

SOURCE HiTouch Business Services, Inc.