What Innovative Office Solutions does

Innovative Office Solutions is a privately held, women-owned distributor of workplace productivity products and solutions, founded in 2001 by CEO Jennifer Smith and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with an operations facility in Burnsville. The company serves enterprise and mid-market organizations across the Upper Midwest and, through a national logistics network, the broader United States, offering a broad portfolio that spans office essentials (supplies, breakroom, printers and toner), commercial and educational furniture and design, technology solutions including managed print services and audio/visual equipment, janitorial and sanitation, MRO and industrial supplies, branded merchandise, print and signage, and — most recently — commercial lighting following the integration of Premier Lighting. Its customer base spans professional sports franchises and venues, healthcare, K-12 and higher education, multi-family housing, and corporate workplaces, with named engagements including the Minnesota Vikings TCO Performance Center, US Bank Stadium, Summit Orthopedics, and LifeWorks.

The company operates a proprietary e-commerce ordering platform (online.innovativeos.com) with quick-order, saved-order, approval-workflow, and proof-of-delivery features, complemented by a separate promotional-products storefront and a PCI Level 1 / SSAE 16-certified online billing portal that integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting packages. Distribution is anchored by 32 facilities comprising 12 million square feet of warehouse space, $600M in inventory across 150,000+ SKUs, a mixed fleet of 50+ trucks (replaced on a five-year cycle), and route-planning software with a carton-sizing algorithm that has driven a 300% improvement in fuel efficiency; together these enable next-day delivery to 97% of the contiguous US via proprietary fleet plus UPS, USPS, and FedEx.

The business model is fundamentally a B2B distribution and services platform. Product sales of office essentials, janitorial, breakroom, MRO, and technology solutions flow primarily as account-based, transaction-priced revenue through the online platform and a dedicated response team; furniture, branded merchandise, print, and signage layer on professional-services design and consultation fees. The INsider Club loyalty program creates recurring engagement with a distributed customer base, and a remanufactured toner program provides a managed-services hook within managed print. Growth has been driven since 2008 by a programmatic M&A strategy — eight disclosed acquisitions between 2015 and 2025 — combined with progressive category expansion and sustainability positioning (LEED/WELL/Fitwel-accredited staff, HP Amplify Impact 3-Star Partner, 361M cartridges collected since 2009).

Name

Innovative Office Solutions

Legal name

Innovative Office Solutions LLC

Website

https://innovativeos.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Innovative Office Solutions is a private, women-owned B2B distributor of office supplies, furniture, technology, janitorial, MRO, branded merchandise, and commercial lighting, serving enterprise and mid-market customers across the Upper Midwest and nationally via 32 facilities, $600M in inventory, and next-day delivery to 97% of the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Office Supplies Distribution & Workplace Solutions

NAICS

Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42342), Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers (45941)

SIC

Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Office Furniture (2520)

akta.pro primary industry

General Office Supplies Retail (CRALABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Office Furniture & Workspace Accessories Retail (CRALABAE), Office Technology & Consumables Distribution (Printer Supplies, Toner, Paper) (CRAOALAG), School Office & Administrative Supplies/Equipment (Copiers, Mailroom, Office Furniture) (EDAEAIAI)

Keywords

• Office supplies distribution
• Workplace furniture solutions
• Managed print services
• Janitorial sanitation supplies
• Branded merchandise printing

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Office Supplies: Direct sales of office essentials, janitorial supplies, breakroom products, technology solutions, and MRO/industrial supplies through online ordering platform and account management.
2. Furniture & Design Services: Commercial and educational furniture sales with design consultation services for workplace transformations.
3. Branded Solutions: Custom branded merchandise, print solutions, and workplace signage services.
4. Managed Print Services: Printer supplies, managed print services, and remanufactured toner program.
5. INsider Club Loyalty Program: Business loyalty program where points are accumulated with purchases in office essentials, cleaning & facilities, breakroom products, and workplace branding categories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Innovative Office Solutions distributes office supplies, commercial and educational furniture, technology and managed print services, lighting, janitorial and sanitation products, MRO/industrial supplies, branded merchandise, print solutions, and workplace signage to business customers primarily across the Upper Midwest and nationwide. The company combines a 150,000+ SKU catalog, dedicated account management, and a 32-facility distribution network to deliver comprehensive workplace productivity solutions to enterprise and mid-market organizations.

Product overview

Innovative Office Solutions operates as a comprehensive workplace productivity solutions provider offering a broad portfolio of products and services organized as a unified platform approach. The core offerings include FURNITURE & DESIGN (commercial and educational furniture), TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS (managed print services, AV equipment), LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, JANITORIAL & SANITATION, MRO & INDUSTRIAL, BRANDED SOLUTIONS (merchandise, print, signage), OFFICE ESSENTIALS (supplies, breakroom, printers), EDUCATION SOLUTIONS, and EVOLVING WORKPLACE consulting services. The company operates complementary e-commerce platforms including an Online Ordering Platform, Online Billing Portal, and Promotional Products Site. The product ecosystem is supported by the INsider Club Loyalty Program and a Remanufactured Toner Program. Through strategic acquisitions including S&T Office Products, North Country Business Products, Brown & Saenger, Viking Office Supply, Northern Business Products, Supply Solutions, and Papco Supply, the company has expanded its capabilities across office supplies, furniture, janitorial/sanitation, and point-of-sale solutions. The company also operates the InSports Foundation, a nonprofit focused on youth sports participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• INsider Club: Loyalty program offering points for qualifying purchases in office essentials, cleaning & facilities, breakroom products, and workplace branding categories.

Products and services

• Furniture & Design Solutions Commercial and educational furniture solutions with design consultation to transform office and classroom spaces using current furniture trends; sold to enterprise, mid-market, education, sports, and multi-family housing customers.
• Technology Solutions Managed print services, audio/visual equipment, meeting solutions, and collaboration tools that support workplace technology needs; sold to business customers seeking turnkey AV and print management.
• Lighting Solutions Comprehensive lighting solutions for workplaces, fully integrated following the acquisition of Premier Lighting in December 2025; sold to business customers outfitting offices and facilities.
• Janitorial & Sanitation Supplies Janitorial and sanitation supplies, equipment, and service solutions for facility cleaning and maintenance; sold to enterprise and mid-market customers managing office and facility upkeep.
• MRO & Industrial Supplies Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies and industrial products for workplace needs; sold to customers managing facility maintenance and light industrial operations.
• Branded Merchandise
• Print Solutions Print and graphic design services producing printed materials and marketing collateral; sold to business customers for promotional and operational print needs.
• Workplace Signage Signage solutions for workplace identification, wayfinding, and branding applications; sold to business customers outfitting offices, venues, and facilities.
• Office Essentials Full range of office supplies including writing instruments, paper products, filing supplies, breakroom and coffee essentials, and everyday workplace essentials; sold to business customers for recurring office procurement.
• Printers, Ink & Toner Printers and printer supplies including ink cartridges, toner, and managed print services with a remanufactured toner program; sold to business customers managing office printing.
• Education Solutions Comprehensive solutions for K-12 and higher-education institutions including specialized educational furniture, classroom design, and supplies; sold to school districts and universities.
• Evolving Workplace Consulting Consulting and solutions for workplace transformation, helping organizations adapt physical workspaces to changing work environments; sold to enterprise and mid-market customers undertaking office redesigns.
• Online Ordering Platform Proprietary e-commerce platform used by business customers to order office products with quick order, saved orders, favorites lists, approval workflows, and order tracking; the company's primary digital ordering channel.
• Online Billing Portal Online billing system for managing invoices and statements with payment via ACH, eCheck, or Credit Card, plus export to QuickBooks, Viewpoint, Peachtree, Timberline, and CSV; sold as part of the business account experience.
• Promotional Products Site Dedicated e-commerce site where customers browse and order promotional products and branded merchandise; used by businesses, sports organizations, and event marketers.
• INsider Club Loyalty Program Business loyalty program in which participants accumulate points on qualifying purchases across office essentials, cleaning & facilities, breakroom, and workplace branding categories, redeemable for products, experiences, and charitable giving; a retention and repeat-purchase mechanism for B2B customers.
• Remanufactured Toner Program Warranted remanufactured toner program that collects used cartridges and resupplies remanufactured toner; a sustainability-focused managed print offering for business customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300% improvement in fuel efficiency through mixed fleet strategy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2023HP Amplify Impact Catalyst 3-Star Partner, demonstrating commitment to sustainable practices in office technology. Partnership focuses on Climate Action, Human Rights, and Digital Equity initiatives.
• TeknioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning sustainability furniture manufacturer partner. Supports client's environmental initiatives through decommission programs, reconfigurations, and carbon footprint reduction objectives.
• HONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurniture sustainability partner with shared commitment to environmental initiatives. Supports workplace solutions with sustainable furniture options.
• OFSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability furniture partner offering environmentally conscious office furniture solutions.
• National Office FurnitureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable furniture manufacturer partner providing eco-friendly office furniture options.
• Tork USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner specializing in hygienic paper products and dispensers for workplace washrooms.
• Kimberly-Clark ProfessionalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner for professional washroom and safety products supporting workplace hygiene solutions.
• DomtarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner providing paper and pulp products with environmental responsibility focus.
• SmeadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner for office filing and organization products with environmental initiatives.
• 3MminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner for workplace solutions including adhesives, safety products, and office supplies.
• Newell BrandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner providing consumer and commercial products for workplace solutions.
• 3formminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable architectural surfaces and materials partner for workplace design solutions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• W.B. Mason: Privately held B2B office supplies, furniture, and breakroom distributor serving the Northeast US with a relationship-driven model and own delivery fleet — the closest analog to IOS in structure, customer base, and go-to-market.
• Quill: Staples-owned B2B office supplies retailer (Lincolnshire, IL) serving small and mid-market businesses via catalog, e-commerce, and inside sales — directly comparable in product mix and customer tier to IOS's mid-market segment.
• Cintas: Large publicly traded provider of workplace products and services including janitorial supplies, first aid, and facility services with a subscription/route-based delivery model — directly comparable to IOS's janitorial, breakroom, and managed print routes.
• Imperial Dade: Privately held, PE-backed national distributor of foodservice, janitorial/sanitation, and packaging products — closely comparable to IOS's janitorial/sanitation and breakroom distribution with route-based national delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Staples Business Advantage: B2B arm of Staples, the largest US office supplies retailer, serving enterprise and mid-market customers with broad catalogs, contract pricing, and national distribution — the dominant scaled incumbent IOS competes against on price and reach.
• ODP Corporation (Office Depot): Publicly traded office products distributor and retailer serving businesses and consumers nationwide through Office Depot and OfficeMax, including ODP Business Solutions for enterprise contracts — a direct large-scale competitor to IOS in B2B supplies.
• Amazon Business: Amazon's B2B procurement marketplace offering millions of office, janitorial, and MRO SKUs with transparent pricing, fast shipping, and integrations with major procurement platforms — the most disruptive competitor for commodity office supply spend.
• Veritiv Corporation: Publicly traded B2B distributor of print, packaging, facility, and office products with a contract-focused national sales force — competes with IOS across print, supplies, and furniture categories at scale.

Regional players

• Lyreco: European-headquartered B2B office supplies and workplace solutions distributor operating across multiple continents — comparable in product breadth and relationship model, but primarily serves geographies outside IOS's Upper Midwest core.

Others

• HON Industries: Major US office furniture manufacturer and one of IOS's named sustainability partners — comparable as a supplier into IOS's commercial and educational furniture offering rather than a direct channel competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/innovativeos
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/innovative2001
• Facebookfacebook.com/innovativeos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovative-office-solutions_857535
• Instagraminstagram.com/innovativeoffice

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Innovative Office Solutions