Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 20/99) - Several Yellowknife business closures aren't phasing the owners of one of the city's newest businesses.

Nor are they daunted by the effect division could have on their business. Workplace Plus is planning on doing business in both the Western and Eastern NWT.

Dennis Johnson and Darlyn and Dave Davies believe there is plenty of room for another office supply company -- Workplace Plus -- in Yellowknife.

The office furniture and office supply business is located in the former Glad Tidings Fellowship location, beside the Home Hardware.

Johnson, who managed GW Business Products Ltd. in the Bromley Building on Franklin Ave. -- until it merged with Creative Paper and Office Supplies -- said there are several factors generating the optimism.

Among them, the GNWT's business incentive policy which helps Northern companies compete with southern companies for government contracts.

The BIP helps Northern companies compete with southern companies and "as long as there's a business incentive policy" there is room for Workplace Plus, Johnson said.

And because Workplace Plus is linked with other office supply companies, it can offer competitive prices, he also said.

Workplace Plus is part of the Canadian Independent Stationery group and the Business Products Group International. Guelph-based CIS is a group of 36 stationery stores that, by banding together, have more buying power. The US-based Business products Group includes 2,400 office products dealers.

"We buy as a group so we get better rates. We also share ideas," Johnson said. The joining of forces also means the group shares one Internet account.

Owners also believe they have an advantage over southern companies because with a local company you can try before you buy.

"Customers appreciate the fact that they can "test drive" a new chair before they buy it," Johnson said.

"If you are going to be sitting in it for eight or 10 hours a day, it's important to buy a chair suited to what you are doing."

Davies, who was the Western Arctic xxxEdmonton Journal agent and also managed the local Purolator delivery service for four years, said she has lived in the North for 32 years, many of them in Yellowknife.

On the condition of the capital's economy, Davies said, "It was like this 20 years ago." Yellowknife has rebounded before and it will again, she adds.

Davies said the location, with about 460 square metres of space, means customers will have the chance to cruise around the showroom in potential new office chairs.

Asked what the biggest challenge to operating an office supply store is, Johnson said the suppliers.

"The largest suppliers are the slowest to react. Very few carry inventory," he said.

Johnson said for Workplace Plus, the solution will be to order items well in advance, he said.

The business, which offers office chairs, desks and cabinets, also has a big selection of office supplies from pens to fax machines.