Back in the summer of 2001, a couple of months before the very first iPod came out (does anyone still use those?) the founders of OE, who were working at a traditional, old-fashioned office supply company that seemed at odds with their customer-first values, came together with the idea that there must be a better way. With two other employees, Office Essentials was founded on the idea that if you treat customers the way you would like to be treated, good things will follow.
Good things certainly did follow. The company quickly evolved, adding employees and a new location, and eventually a new way of defining the way we partner with our customers that we call SmartChoice. It is how we save our customers time, costs and carbon and it is a part of everything we do.
As we mark OE’s 15th anniversary, the company now has about 130 employees in two cities: St. Louis and Kansas City. The founding principle of outstanding customer service has carried OE to the position of one of the largest independent office products dealers in not only the midwest, but the entire country.
For the occasion, we’ve put together an infographic called OE by the numbers that shows how far our customers have brought us over the last 15 years.
We’re so appreciative of our customers over the last 15 years, and very excited to see where we go over the next 15. Be on the lookout for more celebrations throughout the rest of the year.
