thousands of dollars worth of merchandise to their clients yesterday, during their fifth annual product show at the Princess Hotel.

The product show included some 17 representatives from eight companies that supply Staples. They were part of more than 400 people Staples Holdings hosted for lunch in the Tiara Room.

Staples president Mark White said that prizes retailing for more than $5,000 were being given away yesterday at the show, courtesy of the suppliers.

The clever promotional presentation mixed a virtual game show ambience with clear-cut product marketing.

The raffle prize list included three leather briefcases (retailing at $200) from S.P. Richards, and from Sharp two 27-inch TVs, three VCRs and five stereo systems with CD player. There was also an $875 office chair up for grabs.

Staples' suppliers include the 3M company, Ricoh, Standard Register, Ascom Hasler and Equitracs.

Bob Haney of 3M in Minnesota pointed out his company's long association with Bermuda. He joined the representatives of the other companies in pointing out the professionalism they were pleased to see with their authorised dealer in Bermuda.

Mr. Haney said, "We have had a presence here since 1951. I've personally been involved since 1960. All of our distributors here were excellent, but our current partners, Staples Ltd., is the finest, most professional organisation I have had the good fortune to deal with in the 43 years I have been with 3M.

"Staples has put forth a marketing effort on behalf of 3M products that we have not seen before in this Island. They are distributing 3M products to the home, the office, your hospital, your government, utilities and businesses of all kinds.'' Mr. Haney discussed advanced 3M materials being used in marking Bermuda's highways, paint products that have a life cycle of five years and is highly reflective. Road signs will soon be replaced with 3M products that have three times the reflectivity of the current signs and have a life cycle of seven years. The company has grown from 30 people and $6 million in sales to 65 staff and $13.5 million in sales. In its first year as a public company, Staples declared bottom line profits of $1,042,829 for the year to last March 31.

The company has more warehouse space, new telephone and computer systems and new retail space in the heart of Hamilton.

Staples believe there is an exciting future in store for a new medical supplies division, which was recently begun.

Mark White Photos by Arthur Bean MILLER TIME -- Staples Ltd. sales executive, Dan Miller (left), explains the intricacies of top office copiers to prospects during Staples product show yesterday.

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