OfficeMax TUL® Brand Pen Wins 2012 Retailer Innovation Award From Store Brands Decisions

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax^® Incorporated (NYSE: OMX), a leader in office and facility supplies, technology and services, has received a 2012 Retailer Innovation Award from Store Brands Decisions for one of its new second-generation line of pens from its premium TUL^® brand.

The new TUL ballpoint pen – one of four new pens from the OfficeMax premium TUL brand – has received the Retailer Innovation Award for product development. The award further upholds the brand's reputation for delivering superior writing performance and sophisticated designs.

"OfficeMax has once again demonstrated its leadership in store brands product development by winning an innovation award," said John Failla, president and founder of Store Brands Decisions. "This is the third consecutive year OfficeMax has won a Store Brands Decisions Innovation Award for product development."

"This award validates the growing positive responses we've been hearing from our customers – that TUL has become their preferred premium brand of writing instruments and desk accessories because of its great design, performance and value," said Ronald Lalla, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at OfficeMax. "We're pleased that our high-performance TUL brand is gaining fans not just among our customers, but within the industry as well."

Sophisticated Design. Outstanding Performance.

Quality-tested for superior performance, the new TUL pens are available in OfficeMax stores nationwide and at OfficeMax.com. Suggested retail prices range from $1.99 (single pens) to $20.99 (12-pack). The new line of products includes:

• Retractable Gel Pen – provides skip-free writing with an extra-long rubberized grip that delivers greater comfort and control. Ergonomic design gives optimal balance and writing precision. Available in medium, fine and needle point.
• Rollerball Pen – quick drying ink reduces smearing; a precision writing tip enables sharp, accurate writing; and the ergonomic design provides optimal balance and writing precision. Available in medium and fine roller points.
• Retractable Ballpoint Pen – super smooth ink reduces drag and can help lessen writing fatigue. The pen's rubberized grip provides writing comfort and control. Available in medium and fine points.
• Marker Pen – a fiber tip enables precision writing and quick-drying ink reduces smearing. Available in medium and fine points.

TUL is a premium brand of writing instruments and desk accessories launched by OfficeMax in 2006. The company's inaugural private brand, TUL features a selection of sophisticated pens, pencils, markers, highlighters and desk accessories, including staplers, scissors and tape dispensers. Visit Tul.com for more information.

In addition to TUL, OfficeMax continues to expand its selection of innovative and stylish products through its portfolio of premium brands, which include DiVOGA™ and [IN]PLACE^®.

About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in integrating products, solutions and services for the workplace, whether for business or at home.  The OfficeMax mission is simple: We provide workplace innovation that enables our customers to work better.  The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPress®, technology products and solutions, and furniture to businesses and consumers.  OfficeMax consumers and business customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through OfficeMax.com; OfficeMaxSolutions.com and Reliable.com; more than 900 stores in the U.S. and Mexico; and direct sales and catalogs. OfficeMax has been named one of the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies, and is the only company in the office supply industry to receive Ethics Inside^® Certification by the Ethisphere Institute.  To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX.  For more information, visit www.officemax.com.

All trademarks, service marks and trade names of OfficeMax Incorporated used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of OfficeMax Incorporated. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

OfficeMax Media Contact
Nicole Miller
630.864.6069

SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated