DEERFIELD, Ill. – Feb. 18, 2015 – United Stationers Inc. a leading supplier of workplace essentials, along with partner brands Azerty, LagasseSweet and ORS Nasco, today announced their intent to reposition under a single brand, Essendant.
“We are very excited to announce the beginning of our journey to a new unified brand identity,” said Cody Phipps, President and CEO, United Stationers. “Our industry is changing rapidly, and we must be proactive in positioning our company for future success. Our current brands, while leaders in their respective industries, do not truly capture the strength we have as one team with one goal. Our strategy is based on a broader definition for our company and along with the new brand, provides a clear vision: To supply the essentials that unlock the potential of our partners and those they serve.”
The new positioning will better capture both the transformation that has already occurred within the company, as well as provide a platform and voice for the bold steps still on the horizon. Significant progress has already been made in expanding and diversifying the portfolio beyond office products. “The name United Stationers no longer captures the breadth of products and solutions we provide,” said Diane Hund, VP, Marketing, United Stationers. “The name Essendant, a combination of ‘essentials’ and ‘ascending,’ better reflects our goal to be the fastest and most convenient solution for workplace essentials.”
The new company name is set to become effective in June 2015, pending shareholder approval.
The name change will not in any way affect the validity or transferability of any currently outstanding stock certificates, and the company will not ask shareholders to surrender for exchange any United Stationers Inc. certificates presently held by them.
For more information on the journey to become Essendant, visit Essendant.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words such as “expect” and “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, United’s plan to rebrand the company. These statements are based on management’s current plans, expectations, and assumptions. This means they involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied here. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: United’s shareholders’ vote on amending United’s certificate of incorporation to amend the company’s name and United’s customers’ and suppliers’ reaction to the new brand name.
Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these risks and uncertainties in evaluating forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could materially affect United’s results, please see the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The forward-looking information in this news release is made as of this date only, and the company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement. Investors are advised to consult any further disclosure by United regarding the matters discussed in this release in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other written statements it makes from time to time. It is not possible to anticipate or foresee all risks and uncertainties, and investors should not consider any list of risks and uncertainties to be exhaustive or complete.
About United Stationers
United Stationers Inc. is a leading supplier of workplace essentials, with 2014 net sales of $5.3 billion. The company stocks a broad assortment of over 160,000 items, including technology products, traditional office products, janitorial and breakroom supplies, office furniture, safety supplies, industrial supplies, and automotive aftermarket tools. The Company’s network of 77 distribution centers allows it to deliver these products to approximately 30,000 reseller customers. One of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries is an online retailer which sells direct to DIY consumers. This network, combined with United’s breadth and depth of inventory, enables the Company to ship most products overnight to more than ninety percent of the U.S. and major cities in Canada. For more information, visit unitedstationers.com. United Stationers common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol USTR.
