NOR Papers and founder Raymond Blake have parted ways, and the matter will be heard at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) later this month.
NOR Papers, a Bytes Document Solutions subsidiary, announced on Wednesday that Blake had been replaced as CEO by Ronnie Oeschger. The official statement said his appointment marked the “completion of the company's integration into Bytes Document Solutions”.
However, ITWeb has learned that Blake's departure followed an investigation at the company after alleged irregularities were uncovered. Bytes Document Solutions CEO Hennie du Plessis confirms the company uncovered suspicious “activities” and then followed “due process”, after which Blake left NOR Papers.
However, Du Plessis says he cannot specify what irregularities were uncovered, or provide further details as a conciliation process at the CCMA is set down for 20 September.
Blake, who left the company at the beginning of August, would not comment on the issue at this stage, but says he may do so later. Blake founded NOR Papers, in Cape Town, in August 2003, before selling it to Bytes Document Solutions towards the end of 2008.
NOR Paper subsequently opened a Johannesburg office, and then Pretoria and Durban offices. After merging with Bytes Office Division, it grew to a R550 million a year business.
The company offers paper, board and sundry supplies and services to the printing and allied trades, as well as stationers and small business, it says. NOR Paper is also involved in the distribution of coated art paper, uncoated wood free paper, copy paper and various boards.
Oeschger joined Bytes Document Solutions in June 1999 in the office supplies business. After seven years, he was promoted to divisional manager of the Xerox Office Equipment operation, and in February 2010 was again promoted to divisional director of Xerox System Sales for all Xerox equipment.
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