Alex Stewart, CEO of GNS, reached out to me yesterday about rumours about GNS that have made their way back to him. With his permission I publish here the facts Alex shared with me.
But before I share what Alex sent me, I want to say something about rumours. There are some in our channel who love spreading rumours. These people rarely fact check – it is like they do not want the truth to get in the way of the rumour they want to spread.
My experience is that people spreading rumours have an agenda of their own and their rumours are their weapon. Shame on them.
If you hear a rumour about anyone or any business in our channel, go to the victim, given them an opportunity to share the facts as they know them.
Here are the facts Alex Stewart shared with me about GNS:
I spoke to a Qld Newsagent this morning who has heard a rumour that we have sold Padstow – our NSW and HO Facility. I am planning to send a full communique about this to both customers and suppliers but for the record:
- We are relocating from our current facility which means the sale of Padstow. I announced this to NSW and National staff last Thursday.
- We have not yet determined the location, sizing and functional requirements of a new site
- We are doing this to increase efficiencies, increase capacity, reduce maintenance costs for the facility, completely redesign our materials handling processes, and provide both customers and staff a better environment
- We have not yet decided if we will purchase or lease a new property at this stage
- We are keeping staff and key stakeholders completely aware of the process and how we are progressing
- It is likely that we will occupy this facility for at least 12-18 months during the sale process and following to source new premises, plan and implement a move of significant magnitude without interrupting business
If anyone has any questions, concerns or otherwise I am free to discuss at any time. This is purely a matter of prudent asset management, as well as accommodating the business for growth and gaining efficiencies.
Dear Mr Alex Stewart
Has GNS considered expanding its business to become a magazine Distributor?
Thanks for this Mark.
I hadn’t heard the rumours but living in a regional town the old adage of embellishing a small story for personal gain is alive and well.
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for your comment. We are always looking for opportunities to expand our business and this has been considered. We are holding a planning meeting in a few weeks to lay some foundations for the business and that includes growth opportunities. We have started discussions with a publisher however it is still early days.
The issue GNS has to deal with is that Newsagents have a stronger connection to GNS compared with other suppliers and some as shareholders feel they should be kept up to date on any changes, whether that is right or wrong is not the issue. GNS say they are trying to improve communications to stakeholders but I feel they still have a way to go.
You are right though, if you are concerned about a rumour, call and speak to the company involved rather that spread hearsay. And Alex at GNS has always been the most generous out of any supplier mentioned on this blog to discuss in person any issues.
GNS are going through a process of change. As newsagents gradually decline so do stationery supplies to newsagents leaving GNS to create new markets. This is an obvious next step.
Not sure what’s going on at GNS today but I’ve received 2 emails this morning for online orders with my account number that we did not place.
@jenny, please contact me directly (paul.middleton@gnswholesale.com.au) and I’ll check this out. I’m not aware of anyone else having this issue at this time.
I realise this is not the ideal forum for this post however, we have been trying unsuccessully for several weeks to have someone from GNS to provide a satisfactory response to our emails and phone calls.
On the 9th September this year GNS hired our club rooms in Tasmania for what was described to us as a “Trade Show”.
Our organisation is operated completely by volunteers. My wife and I both took time out of our working days to accommodate the GNS representatives by responding to their booking enquiry, meeting the representative at the facility for a pre hire inspection and to make all the necessary arrangements for access on the day of hire.
The cost of that hire was invoiced out to the Mulgrave office of GNS on the 2nd September and the hire proceeded on the 9th as booked (normally we expect payment prior to hire). Reminders were sent on 21/9, 11/10, 15/10, 2/11. Emails have been sent to both ther representative who made the hire enquiry and to the GNS customer support address. The representative who hired the centre replied on the 4/11 saying it would be fixed by the weeks end! Several calls to your office centre in Mulgrave have been met with promises that somone will call us back! We are still waiting for that call?
I am afraid this is completely unacceptable. The amount may seem insignificant to GNS but for a volunteer community organisation like ours – IT IS A BIG DEAL….. Please have somone contact us to have this matter dealt with immediately. We have already spent far too much of our unpaid volunteer time on this issue. The time I am spending on this post is time I don’t have!
If this issue is not dealt with in a timely and adequate manner we will be left with no further option but to take the matter further.
Gordon I have forwarded your comment to the CEO of GNS.
Dear Gordon,
I believe this issue was resolved today. I am unaware of the circumstances that led to this delay however it is not acceptable practice. Please accept my apologies for this error.
Regards
Alex