Still Going Strong: How Wist Defies Consolidation and Powers Arizona’s Local Economy

Sticky notes, reams of printer paper, dry-erase markers and packets of paper clips. For anyone who worked in a professional setting prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, those items may inspire a twinge of nostalgia — regular errands to a tucked-away supply room stocked by a dependable office vendor.

But work has changed. With the widespread adoption of remote policies and rapid technological shifts, the office supply industry has had to transform as needs evolve and the market consolidates.

Wist, however, has remained a constant.

The family-owned company has served Arizona for 70 years, now spanning four generations. It has weathered more than a few industry storms. Even as big-box retailers entered the office supply space, Wist stayed competitive by offering something different: customer-centered service rooted in local relationships.

“We’ve always kind of done our thing,” said Ian Wist, company president. “We offer that alternative and keep things local to reinvest in the community. We’re really anchored and tethered to the community.”

That anchor was tested during the pandemic.

In the years leading up to COVID-19, the office products industry was already in noticeable decline. Anticipating the downslide of its traditional specialties, Wist began diversifying into new categories. In a moment of unexpected alignment, the company had access to personal protective equipment — masks, gloves and other essentials — that were in short supply when the pandemic began.

Ian Wist, Company President

“We helped supply people across the state,” Wist said.

When supply eventually outpaced demand for PPE, Wist had to recalibrate again. As remote work persisted, demand for traditional office supplies dropped sharply.

Interestingly, consolidation — often viewed as a threat — created opportunity.

As major sanitation brands were acquired by private equity firms, gaps opened in the market. Wist recognized there was no longer a strong local presence in that space. To meet the moment, the company expanded into hand care products, sanitizer, floor stripper and sealer and other sanitation supplies essential to maintaining public spaces.

“There really was no local entity in this space anymore,” Wist said. “So we looked at that and saw it was important. And we’re finding a lot of success there.”

The pivot wasn’t entirely new territory. During the height of the pandemic, Wist partnered with Whish, a Scottsdale-based manufacturer that typically supplied soap and sanitizer products to the hospitality industry. Whish had access to the necessary alcohol supply when sanitizer ingredients were scarce.

“We bought truckloads of Whish products,” Wist said. “We really solved an itch during that time.”

The “itch” may have been sanitizer, but the impact was broader. By partnering locally during a period of economic standstill, Wist supported its clients, its workforce and another Arizona company’s employees. As the company continues expanding into sanitation-related goods — from trash bags and can liners to shrink wrap — it prioritizes working with locally owned manufacturers or those with a strong Arizona presence.

“There’s a large manufacturing plant in the West Valley, and we buy from them, so that supports local jobs. And we sell and distribute their products, so there’s a double win there,” Wist said. “We just keep trying to roll those wins together.”

As a locally owned company with a locally minded approach, Wist plays a meaningful role in Arizona’s economy. The company supports its own employees, whose earnings recirculate locally, and it strengthens other Arizona businesses by sourcing and distributing their products.

Rooted Beyond the Bottom Line

Wist’s commitment to Arizona extends well beyond distribution contracts.

Over the past several years, the company has raised more than $71,000 for cancer research through Tucson’s “24 Hours in the Old Pueblo” cycling event. During COVID-19, Wist donated thousands of dollars in disinfectant and bleach to organizations including Phoenix Rescue Mission, Sojourner Center and Midwest Food Bank. It has supported youth music education through a $30,000 gift to Arizona SOUNDS Academy and donated office furniture to nonprofits like Paws for Life.

Philanthropy, for Wist, is not a marketing strategy. It’s part of how the company defines success.

The company also maintains a formal sustainability commitment centered on economic resilience, fair labor practices and environmental responsibility. That includes conserving resources, reducing waste, working with suppliers to minimize environmental impacts and collaborating with communities to strengthen long-term well-being.

Adapting for One Company. Strengthening an Entire State.

Looking ahead, Wist acknowledges that predicting the industry’s next challenge is impossible. What he can promise is continued hard work — from his son, who recently joined the company, and from team members who have been part of the business for decades.

Navigating change hasn’t been easy. But in hindsight, many of the industry’s biggest disruptions have opened new doors.

“The whole office products thing we’ve done for 70 years is largely gone — half of the revenue is largely gone,” he said. “We’ve worked hard on finding new suppliers and looking for new opportunities. It’s different kinds of buyers and more specialized needs now. We’re getting into food service and selling containers and related goods. There’s all this business we never really asked for in the past. And it’s going really well.”

That adaptability does more than keep one company afloat.

It protects Arizona jobs. It strengthens regional supply chains. It creates opportunities for other local manufacturers to grow. And it ensures that when our local businesses, schools and public institutions need essential supplies, they aren’t relying solely on distant corporate providers.

Related Resources

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