Matthew Eckhouse, a 2004 Harvard University graduate, is now the top executive at Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601), the second largest distributor by revenue in the promotional products industry, Counselor has learned.

Staples has installed Eckhouse, who also holds an MBA from Dartmouth College, as vice president and general manager of the $600 million promo and print business. Richard Witaszak, the former long-time Staples Promo head who had held the position, is no longer with the company.

Matthew Eckhouse, Staples Promotional Products

“Matt brings significant experience in strategy, sales and operations to his expanded leadership role,” said Meghan McCarrick, a spokesperson for Staples.

Eckhouse has been with Staples since 2013. He’s worn a variety of hats in that time. They include: Area Vice President, Print Ecommerce and Sales; Director of Sales Enablement; Director of Sales Innovation; Director of Mid-Market Print and Promotional Products, and more.

Prior to joining Staples, Eckhouse’s experience includes work as an associate and, later, principal in The Parthenon Group, a Boston, MA-based strategy consultancy.

Eckhouse, whose Harvard degree is in economics, writes on his LinkedIn page that he has managed cross-functional teams, advised presidents and C-Level executives, owned P&Ls, and led teams from a dozen to more than 100 associates.

He says that he relies on “fact-based decision-making to create positive change – get facts, focus on the customer’s experience, find solutions, and lead teams to execute to high standards. I lead by giving ownership of outcomes and providing transparency, which enables teams and people to achieve great things.”

Eckhouse’s appointment comes this week as it was revealed that Framingham, MA-based Staples, Inc., parent company of Staples Promotional Products, reportedly laid off more than 100 workers on Sept. 9th and 10th. Staples wasn’t commenting on the layoffs, which are believed to have affected multiple departments/divisions. The Framingham Source reported that Staples laid off at least 200 workers in the first half of 2018.

Staples told Counselor it couldn’t comment on the circumstances around the departure of Witaszak, who had been with the company for nearly 18 years. “Any efforts we undertake to streamline the organization are aimed at speeding our decision-making and enabling us to focus on our customers,” McCarrick told Counselor. “We will continue to look at the best structure to compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace.”

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners bought Staples, Inc. for $6.9 billion in 2017.

With estimated 2018 North American promotional product revenue of $607.7 million, Staples Promotional Products ranked second on Counselor’s latest list of the largest distributors in the industry. The company’s five-year average sales growth is 4.4%.