serve as Co-CEO’s of the family business built by their father who had a vision of exceptional service and social responsibility. “When our father started the company, he could never have imagined the scale it has reached today,” Belinda reflects.“We have warehouses in every state and territory, a team of more than 700 people, and a product range that touches the lives of workers, students, and patients every single day.” A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN LEADERSHIP The leadership handover to Belinda and Amie was not left to chance. Beginning in 2018, the family engaged advisors and invested in education to prepare the sisters for the role. Both attended a course at Harvard, and while their father was initially cautious about the shared leadership model, he came to see the value of the Co-CEO approach. “Running a family business comes with unique challenges,” Belinda explains. “Our father wanted to make sure we had the right tools and mindset to succeed.The planning process was long, but it made the transition smooth, and it gave us the confidence to take the company forward in our own way.” STRATEGIC PRIORITIES DRIVING GROWTH At its core, COS is committed to making workplaces healthy, safe and productive. The company delivers thousands of products with next day service, ensuring that organisations from schools to hospitals to corporate offices have what they need when they need it. “Our focus is on the people who use our products every day,” Belinda notes. “Workers, students, and patients all rely on us, and we take that responsibility very seriously. By staying close to customer needs, we can keep innovating in areas like hygiene, technology, and comfort.” Recent growth has also been fueled by acquisitions. In 2023, COS purchased Kookaburra, a specialist provider of audio-visual products. This addition expanded the company’s reach into technology, complementing its established strengths in education and office supplies. “Acquisitions are a way for us to move into adjacent categories more quickly,” Belinda says. “Kookaburra gave us a strong foothold in audio visual products, and we are continuing to look for opportunities in areas such as furniture, workplace amenities, and technology.” LEADING ON SUSTAINABILITY Perhaps the most defining achievement for COS 83 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 08 COS
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