Two Great Bend-based companies have joined forces to provide virtually all the products and services that businesses of any size may need.

            Office Products Inc., a family-owned business, is now an Authorized Distributor for the full line of Fuller Industries LLC commercial cleaning products. OPI recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and Fuller also has been a fixture here for decades.

            Kenny Vink, OPI co-owner, and Brett Hughes, Fuller vice president of sales and marketing, encourage central Kansans to support this new partnership in the spirit of “Buy Local/Buy Kansas.”

            Vink noted that OPI had been selling products similar to those manufactured by Fuller “but we were going through another vendor. Now we will carry a variety of Fuller products in each of our four locations.

            “Customers can expect better pricing and convenience when placing an order in an OPI store or on our website. They can also just give us a call and we will deliver, as always.”

            The two companies mesh well together to serve other local and area businesses, Hughes said.

 “We complement one another to bring the best in products and services to the business community,” Hughes commented. “Anyone who supports this venture is helping keep local dollars in our local communities. These dollars multiply throughout the area, which strengthens the tax base.

“We wanted a distributor right here in Great Bend and OPI is a perfect fit,” he added. “Three generations of the Vink family are the backbone of OPI; they know their business and they know their customers. This partnership provides the best in office products and supplies, along with Fuller’s building-maintenance solutions.”

            Fuller commercial products include general and specialty cleaners, floor care and disinfectants, as well as mops, brooms and brushes.

            Hughes noted that Jan Westfall had been the face of Fuller in recent years for local and area customers. “Jan did a wonderful job and we miss her,” he said.

            Pete Jackson, Fuller regional sales manager for the Western United States, will spend quite a bit of time in central Kansas to support the transition.

            Jackson, who lives in Enterprise, Kansas, is collaborating with OPI to provide specialized training for the marketing of Fuller products.

“This training will be ongoing,” Vink commented. “While all personnel can help customers in our stores, we plan to have an OPI staff member equipped with in-depth knowledge about Fuller products.”

            In addition to in-house personnel at OPI’s locations, Salina resident Chad Mayfield, OPI territory sales manager, is available to customers in his area of the state.

            OPI’s product and service list is lengthy; a few highlights include computers, networking, copiers and other up-to-date technology; office supplies and furniture; graphic design; copying; and banners and vehicle wraps.

            Terry Vink, Kenny’s brother, views this partnership as “another building block in encouraging people to buy local. And we will make it as convenient as possible.”

            For example, he said, Fuller products will be linked to the extensive OPI website, www.opikan.com. OPI supplies pricing information and Fuller offers product descriptions.

            “The extensive catalogs from both businesses will be in one place,” Terry said. “Customers can choose the way they want to order. And if anyone wants to set up a schedule for the purchase and/or delivery of specific products, we would be happy to sit down and talk with them.”

            OPI locations are 1204 Main in Great Bend; 516 Broadway in Larned; 724 N. Main in Russell; and 1218 E. 27th in Hays.

            The Fuller Outlet Store remains open to serve walk-in customers.