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OfficeMax Speeds Up Plans for Expansion: The Cleveland-based office supply company hopes the expansion will help boost its earnings in late 1997-as its bigger rivals Staples Inc. and Office Depot Inc. plan to combine. OfficeMax Inc. also expects to make a number of acquisitions and form alliances with companies in related industries, said Michael Feuer, the company’s chief executive. OfficeMax, which ranks third among the chains, said it will open 95 to 100 office-products superstores during the remainder of fiscal 1996 and add an additional 125 to 150 next year.