Martin Li

    martin.mouse@163.com

    WELL-KNOWN American office supply manufacturer 3M has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shenzhen-based Comix, one of the most famous stationery brands in China.

    In the deal’s first phase, 3M will sell its products either at Comix stores or through its other sales channels.

    “Comix has rich experience and mature sales channels in China’s office supply and stationery market. These resources will drive our business expansion,” Jesse G. Singh, vice president of 3M’s stationery and office supplies division, said at a Friday signing ceremony in Shenzhen.

    Established in 1991, Comix has set up more than 60 branches and offices in China. It has 30,000 franchised stores and 5,000 big enterprise customers.

    “As the owner of Post-it and Scotch (tape), two popular office stationery brands in the world, 3M will work hard with Comix to achieve a result benefiting the two companies and the market,” Singh said.

    While the American giant hopes to increase its access to the Chinese market, Comix eyes progress in high-end business and product quality.

    Comix president Chen Qinpeng said the two companies eventually could cooperate in product development, co-branded promotions and outsourced manufacturing.

    3M owns 12 companies, 11 manufacturing bases and four technological centers in China, employing more than 8,200 people. The company develops about 500 types of products each year.

    China has a 350 billion yuan (US$57 billion) office supply and stationery market, but the number of leading brands is relatively small, according to Chinese-language media reports.