COS Acquisition of Tosco Business & Education Customer- FAQS
1. Who is COS?
COS is the largest 100% Australian owned and operated national office product company. We are 100% focused on the Australian market. We are passionate and committed to the customer experience and the office products industry. It was founded in 1977 by Dominique Lyone (our dad) as a local office stationery business. 45 years later COS is a B2B supplier, thousands of products with over 500 staff, and offices and warehouses in every state and territory. In September 2021 Belinda & Amie took over as Co-CEOs and Dominique stepped into the role of Chairman.
COS has always been committed to continued annual growth organically (i.e. business development and category extension) however over recent years we have been more actively looking for acquisition opportunities as well. In May 2018, we acquired Lyreco, in August 2019 we acquired Vital Office in Melbourne and more recently in October 2021 we acquired QCA which contributed to our accelerated growth in the Perth market.
2. Why did COS acquire Tosco?
When the opportunity arose for growth of COS through the acquisition of Tosco, COS was able to recognise the value of Tosco and has been impressed by its operations and ability to grow and compete in the market.
3. How will the change in ownership affect my company/processes?
Blending COS and Tosco business and teams, will deliver synergies that will benefit the school and business buyer. Schools and Businesses in North Queensland & Far North Queensland will be delighted that COS is a clear locally owned and operated alternative, with significant buying influence to deliver competitive prices, a larger product range, world class website, and a leadership team that is passionate about “Service Excellence”. Together, we provide a compelling value proposition that is going to be hard to beat.
As of 30th September, 2024 COS will take over the servicing of all Tosco customers with a priority to not disrupt service in anyway. It is important to confirm that your agreement remains valid and unaffected by this decision. It will continue to be serviced as usual and there will be no changes to our commitment to service excellence. COS have proudly committed to offer employment to all Tosco employees.
4. Do I need to start ordering from the COS website?
As part of the integration plan on the 30th of September, 2024 you will transition over to www.cos.net.au – the COS custom built e-commerce platform designed uniquely for the Australian office products and education industry. Your COS account has already been set up. If you are a first-time user of COSnet, please click here to set up your COS account password, your login username remains the same as your Tosco account email address.
5. What is the order cut off time?
There will be no changes to the current cut off times.
6. Will the phone number change?
The Tosco contact details will be redirected to COS so you can continue to contact us how you always have. For any questions relating to any quotes, orders, returns, invoice requests or general queries and you will be redirected automatically to COS from 30th September 2024.
Product & Order Enquiries
Townsville: 07 4426 2828
Cairns: 07 4051 6055
Email: sales@cos.net.au
7. Will the product range change? Will existing products still be available?
Today COS does offer a wider product range than Tosco across many categories including bathroom, education, kitchen, furniture and technology. As the integration of our two company’s progresses, Tosco and COS’s product ranges will be reviewed to ensure we have the right range. You may see some different brand names at COS with the same product features you need.
COS has an extensive range of over 1,000 COS branded products across paper, office products, education supplies and furniture offering customers great value.
COS also has exclusive access to a number of brands in the Australian market including Muru Indigenous Range, New Future Paper, Powerfresh chemicals and hygiene, A+Plus writing instruments, Superprint toner cartridges, Printec labels, Pukka notebooks and StickN sticky notes range.
8. Will prices change?
As of 30th September, 2024 COS will take over the servicing of all Tosco customers with a priority to not disrupt service in anyway. It is important to confirm that your agreement remains valid and unaffected by this decision. It will continue to be serviced as usual and there will be no changes to our commitment to service excellence.
9. Will all the terms of my contract be honoured?
At this time it is business as usual. It is important to confirm that your contract remains valid and unaffected by this decision. If you have a specific question regarding your contract please contact your Tosco Account Manager.
10. Will COS continue with the Photocopier and Managed Print Service?
At this time, it is business as usual. COS is continuing with the Managed Print Service, and it is important to confirm that your contract remains valid and unaffected by this decision. If you have any specific questions, please contact Managed Print Service at 07 4051 6566 or solutionssupport@cos.net.au.
11. Do I still make payments to the same bank account?
You will continue to pay TOSCO directly for any TOSCO invoices. Please refer to the latest copy of your invoice for reference to bank account details and remittance process.
Once you transfer to COS on 30th September 2024 you will start to receive invoices from COS which do have different bank account details to make a payment.
If you have Tosco set up in your system we recommend you set up COS in your system as a new vendor. COS does have a different ABN to TOSCO:
- COS ABN is 92 001 634 715
- COS bank details
Bank: St George Bank Limited
BSB: 332-027
Account Number: 551155551
Account Name: Complete Office Supplies Pty Ltd
12. Should I continue to contact my TOSCO sales representative going forward?
Yes, it is business as usual for Tosco sales and support. COS have proudly committed to offer employment to all Tosco employees. You’re account manager won’t be changing and you should continue using your Tosco contacts for support to address immediate and ongoing needs.
13. How will I be informed of any changes?
You will continue to be updated regularly on the transition plan via your account manager and direct via email. COS is committed to a smooth transition of all customers. In the meantime if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact your Tosco account manager or customer service.
14. Will you still deliver my order from Cairns or Townsville?
Yes COS already had a warehouse in Townsville and we are excited to now have a Cairns warehouse. We also have a warehouse in Brisbane which can be used to source a wide range of items.
15. Will you still have showroom in Cairns?
Yes the showroom will remain open. Please feel free to drop by or make an appointment. We’d love to show you some furniture!
16. Will my driver stay the same? – many customers require inductions or swipe card access, police clearances etc
We recognise the importance of the driver in your delivery experience and understand often the driver understands your delivery preferences. We will do our best to maintain the same drivers on the same routes however in some cases due to freight optimisation this will not be possible.
In any case where a driver has to change there will be a handover between drivers to explain your requirements. If your delivery requires drivers to be inducted into your location, have swipe card access or police clearances we will ensure there is a smooth transition between drivers taking these requirements into consideration.
