(Indianapolis, IN) January 13, 2016 — Independent Stationers, an industry leading nationwide member-owned business products cooperative, announced positive growth in its sales and many of its member programs for 2015.

Independent Stationers is extremely encouraged by its 2015 results despite declining commodity office supplies. Contributing to these positive results was a Direct Buy increase of 2%, with Office Furniture increasing significantly at 19%. Jan-San RDC sales also grew 8.9%. These sales category increases yielded an increase in rebates to participating shareholders and affiliates.

Independent Stationers grew its membership the last twelve months with 25 new shareholders and affiliates added and several shareholders and affiliates have been added in just the first few days of the New Year. In addition, Independent Stationers added 26 new suppliers in 2015 for a total of 189 suppliers, with a focus on the growing categories of Facilities Maintenance, Janitorial, Safety and Break Room products.

Independent Stationers also announced several key programs and initiatives in 2015 to provide additional value-added opportunities to its members. The IntelliWeb Digital Marketing Program launched which offers members access to a professional, customized website home page, corresponding email marketing campaigns with designs that engage customers, creative blogging on social networks and lead generation. IS also launched the Connections Acquisition Program to help dealers interested growing through acquisitions or establishing a succession plan for their dealership.

Bryan Kristenson, Chairman of Independent Stationers said, “2015 was another successful year for Independent Stationers. Our industry continues to change at an ever-increasing pace and our group is committed to providing programs to enable our diverse membership to grow and prosper.”