8-K

 UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  July 22, 2015

ESSENDANT INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-10653	36-3141189
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Parkway North Blvd. Suite 100 Deerfield, Illinois		60015-2559
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (847) 627-7000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The following information, including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, shall not be deemed “filed” hereunder for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

On July 22, 2015, Essendant Inc. (the “Registrant”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015. A copy of the Registrant’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, a slide presentation summarizing earnings and financial results is attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following exhibit is filed herewith:

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated July 22, 2015, announcing financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015.
99.2	Earnings Presentation, a slide presentation summarizing earnings and financial results.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  

	ESSENDANT INC.
Date:  July 22, 2015	/s/Todd A. Shelton
	Todd A. Shelton Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

ESSENDANT INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX TO CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K

DATED JULY 22, 2015

Exhibit No.	Description	Method of Filing
99.1	Press Release, dated July 22, 2015, announcing financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015.	Filed Herewith
99.2	Earnings Presentation, a slide presentation summarizing earnings and financial results.	Filed Herewith

EX-99.1

Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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Exhibit 99.1

    news release

Executive Offices One Parkway North Blvd. Suite 100 Deerfield, IL 60015-2559 For Further Information Contact:   For Investor Inquiries: investorrelations@essendant.com (847) 627-7000   For Media Inquiries: Diane Hund (dhund@essendant.com) (847) 627-2046

ESSENDANT REPORTS

SECOND QUARTER 2015 FINANCIAL RESULTS

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 22, 2015– Essendant Inc. (NASDAQ: ESND), a leading supplier of workplace essentials, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Second Quarter Overview

· Sales increased 1.6% to $1.34 billion when compared to the second quarter of last year.  

· Gross margin was $212.1 million, or 15.8 percent of sales, up from 15.1 percent of sales in the prior year quarter.

· Operating expenses were $158.2 million, including $1.7 million related to the previously announced repositioning actions. Adjusted operating expenses⁽¹⁾ were $156.4 million, or 11.7 percent of sales, up from $142.2 million or 10.8 percent of sales in the prior year quarter.

· Net income per share was $0.79 in the current quarter, including $0.03 per share of expense related to repositioning actions. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.82⁽¹⁾ compared to earnings per share of $0.85 in the prior year quarter.

· Cash flow provided by operating activities was $120.8 million in the first six months of 2015, up from $78.9 million in the prior year.

“In the second quarter we officially became Essendant, marking another major milestone in our journey to become the fastest and most convenient solution for workplace essentials,” said Robert B. Aiken, Jr., president and chief executive officer.  “We continue to make solid progress executing our strategy as we strengthen the core business with a common operating platform, grow our e-commerce relationships and offerings, and expand our automotive aftermarket business with the recently announced Nestor Sales LLC acquisition. Our results reflect solid execution, particularly in light of increasing headwinds in the industrial and energy sectors.”  

(1) This is non-GAAP information. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document for more information.  

Note: All EPS numbers in this document are diluted unless stated otherwise.

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Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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Second Quarter Performance

Second quarter 2015 sales increased 1.6%, driven by prior year acquisitions. The current quarter gross margin was $212.1 million, up from $199.5 million in the second quarter of 2014.

· Sales of industrial supplies increased 48.1 percent to $215.0 million, including $86.7 million of incremental sales from the CPO and MEDCO acquisitions made in 2014. Weakness in the energy and industrial sectors drove a $16.9 million sales decline in the core industrial business. Janitorial and breakroom supplies sales increased 3.1 percent to $368.3 million from $357.2 million. Total office products sales were down 7.3 percent to $722.0 million from $778.5 million as the company exited certain low margin business.

· The gross margin rate of 15.8 percent included a favorable 29 basis points from acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, gross margin rate improved driven by a favorable product mix. Gross margin was $212.1 million, an increase of $12.6 million from the prior year quarter, with an incremental $17.4 million from acquisitions.

· Operating expenses were $158.2 million, including $1.7 million related to the previously announced repositioning actions. Adjusted operating expenses⁽¹⁾ were $156.4 million or 11.7 percent of sales, compared to $142.2 million, or 10.8 percent of sales, in the prior year quarter. The $14.2 million increase included $12.8 million of incremental expenses from acquisitions.

· Operating income was $53.9 million, including $1.7 million of expense related to the previously announced repositioning activities. Adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ was $55.6 million, or 4.1 percent of sales, compared to $57.3 million, or 4.3 percent of sales, in the prior year quarter.

· Net income was $30.3 million, including $0.9 million of after-tax costs related to repositioning actions. Earnings per share were $0.79, including $0.03 of expense related to repositioning actions.  Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $31.2 million compared to $33.3 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.82⁽¹⁾, compared to $0.85 in the second quarter of 2014.

Six-Month Performance

First half 2015 sales increased 3.9%, driven by prior year acquisitions. The current period gross margin was $416.5 million, up from $386.5 million in the first half of 2014.

· Sales of industrial supplies increased 52.4 percent to $425.3 million, including $176.8 million of incremental sales from the CPO and MEDCO acquisitions made in 2014. Weakness in the energy and industrial sectors drove a $30.5 million sales decline in the core industrial business. Janitorial and breakroom supplies sales increased 5.6 percent to $725.3 million from $686.7 million. Total office products sales were down 5.4 percent to $1,450.0 million from $1,532.9 million as the company exited certain low margin business.

· The gross margin rate of 15.6 percent included a favorable 37 basis points from acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, gross margin rate improved due to a favorable product mix. Gross margin was $416.5 million, an increase of $30.0 million from the first half of last year, with an incremental $36.7 million from acquisitions.

· Operating expenses were $356.5 million, including $32.2 million related to the previously announced repositioning actions. Adjusted operating expenses⁽¹⁾ were $324.3 million or 12.1 percent of sales, compared to $291.0 million, or 11.3 percent of sales, in the prior year period. The $33.3 million increase included $30.3 million of incremental expenses from acquisitions.

· Operating income was $60.0 million, including $32.2 million of expense related to the previously announced repositioning activities. Adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ was $92.2 million, or 3.4 percent of

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Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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sales, compared to $95.5 million, or 3.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

· Net income was $26.3 million, including $24.8 million of after-tax costs related to repositioning actions. Earnings per share for the first half of 2015 were $0.69, including $0.64 of expense related to repositioning actions. Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $51.1 million compared to $55.2 million in the prior year period. Adjusted earnings per share were $1.33⁽¹⁾, compared to $1.40 earnings per share in the first half of 2014.

Cash Flow, Debt Trends and Share Repurchases

Net cash provided by operating activities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $120.8 million, compared with $78.9 million for the same period last year. The 53 percent improvement over the prior year demonstrates the company’s commitment to effectively manage its working capital. Cash flow used in investing activities totaled $12.4 million in 2015, compared with $35.6 million in the same period last year which included $26.2 million for acquisitions. The company estimates the 2015 full-year total capital expenditures to be $30 million to $35 million, excluding acquisitions.

The company has approximately $1.0 billion of total committed debt capacity.  As of June 30, 2015, the company had total debt outstanding of $661.2 million compared with $543.5 million as of June 30, 2014.  Debt-to-total capitalization increased to 44.0 percent at June 30, 2015 from 39.2 percent at June 30, 2014 due to the acquisition of MEDCO in the fourth quarter of 2014.  In the first half of 2015, the company paid $31.2 million to acquire approximately 0.8 million shares and paid cash dividends of $10.7 million to common shareholders.

Update on Previously Announced Repositioning Actions

As previously announced in February, the company is taking decisive actions to reposition the business, provide enhanced customer service, and create sustained long-term success. These actions are as follows:

· During 2015 the company expects to invest an incremental $13.0 million to move to a common operating and information technology platform for the office products and janitorial and breakroom products that will simplify the customer experience and deliver operating cost savings. In the first half of 2015 the company invested $2.4 million.  Total cost savings from this initiative are expected to be $5.0 to $10.0 million beginning in the second half of 2016, and $15.0 to $20.0 million on an annual basis thereafter.

· In the first half of 2015 the company recorded the following pre-tax charges:

o Workforce reductions and facility consolidations of $6.3 million. Additional facility actions will occur later in 2015 for a full year pre-tax charge of approximately $9.0 million. The company expects these actions to drive savings of $6.0 million in 2015 and $10.0 million annually, beginning in 2016;

o Non-cash charges of $14.0 million and a $0.9 million charge related to listing a non-strategic business for sale. Additional cash and non-cash charges related to this sale may occur during 2015 as this transaction is completed;

o Non-cash impairment of intangibles and accelerated amortization related to rebranding efforts totaling $11.0 million.  The company expects a total charge of $12.0 million for the full year.

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Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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Conference Call

Essendant will hold a conference call followed by a question and answer session on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 7:30 a.m. CDT, to discuss second quarter 2015 results. To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada should dial (877) 358-2531 and international callers should dial (412) 902-6623 approximately 10 minutes before the presentation.  The conference ID is “10067778.”  To listen to the webcast, participants should visit the Investors section of the company’s website (link: http://investors.essendant.com), and click on the “Q2-15 Earnings Release” button on the right side of the page, several minutes before the event is broadcast.   Interested parties can access an archived version of the call, this news release, a financial slide presentation and other information related to the call, also located on the Investors section of Essendant’s website, about two hours after the call ends.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including references to goals, plans, strategies, objectives, projected costs or savings, anticipated future performance, results or events and other statements that are not strictly historical in nature.  These statements are based on management’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions.  This means they involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied here.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: end-user demand for products in the office, technology, and furniture product categories may continue to decline; Essendant’s reliance on key customers, and the risks inherent in continuing or increased customer concentration and consolidations; prevailing economic conditions and changes affecting the business products industry and the general economy; Essendant’s ability to effectively manage its operations and to implement growth, cost-reduction and margin-enhancement initiatives; the impact of Essendant’s repositioning, restructuring and rebranding activities on Essendant’s customers, suppliers, and operations; Essendant’s reliance on supplier allowances and promotional incentives; Essendant’s reliance on independent resellers for a significant percentage of its net sales and, therefore, the importance of the continued independence, viability and success of these resellers; continuing or increasing competitive activity and pricing pressures within existing or expanded product categories, including competition from product manufacturers who sell directly to Essendant’s customers; the impact of supply chain disruptions or changes in key suppliers’ distribution strategies; Essendant’s ability to maintain its existing information technology systems and the systems and e-commerce services that it provides to customers, and to successfully procure, develop and implement new systems and services without business disruption or other unanticipated difficulties or costs; the creditworthiness of Essendant’s customers; Essendant’s ability to manage inventory in order to maximize sales and supplier allowances while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory; Essendant’s success in effectively identifying, consummating and integrating acquisitions; the risks and expense associated with Essendant’s obligations to maintain the security of private information provided by Essendant’s customers; the costs and risks related to compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards affecting Essendant’s business; the availability of financing sources to meet Essendant’s business needs; Essendant’s reliance on key management personnel, both in day-to-day operations and in execution of new business initiatives; and the effects of hurricanes, acts of terrorism and other natural or man-made disruptions. 

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 Essendant’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 Essendant regarding the matters discussed in this release in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other written

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Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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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.

Company Overview

Essendant 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, industrial supplies, and automotive aftermarket tools. The Company’s network of 74 distribution centers enables the Company to ship most products overnight to more than ninety percent of the U.S. and major cities in Mexico and Canada. For more information, visit www.essendant.com.  

Essendant common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ESND.

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Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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Essendant Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share data)

	For the Three Months Ended				For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net sales	$	1,341,799	$	1,320,037	$	2,674,174	$	2,574,176
Cost of goods sold		1,129,737		1,120,577		2,257,662		2,187,633
Gross profit		212,062		199,460		416,512		386,543
Operating expenses:
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses		158,159		142,186		356,531		291,035
Operating income		53,903		57,274		59,981		95,508
Interest expense, net		4,778		3,833		9,617		7,207
Income before income taxes		49,125		53,441		50,364		88,301
Income tax expense		18,864		20,110		24,095		33,113
Net income	$	30,261	$	33,331	$	26,269	$	55,188
Net income per share - basic:	$	0.80	$	0.86	$	0.69	$	1.41
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic		37,765		38,816		37,939		39,004
Net income per share - diluted:	$	0.79	$	0.85	$	0.69	$	1.40
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		38,106		39,226		38,317		39,435
Dividends declared per share	$	0.14	$	0.14	$	0.28	$	0.28

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Essendant Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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Essendant Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

	(Unaudited)						(Audited)
	As of  June 30,						As of
	2015			2014			December 31, 2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	29,935		$	31,495		$	20,812
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,157 in 2015 and $19,725 in 2014		667,062			662,772			702,527
Inventories		875,465			804,395			926,809
Assets related to held for sale disposal group		7,880			-			-
Other current assets		29,595			31,436			30,042
Total current assets		1,609,937			1,530,098			1,680,190
Property, plant and equipment, net		130,216			135,529			138,217
Goodwill		402,545			382,950			398,042
Intangible assets, net		88,622			75,210			111,958
Other long-term assets		48,439			26,059			41,810
Total assets	$	2,279,759		$	2,149,846		$	2,370,217
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	465,953		$	486,621		$	485,241
Accrued liabilities		190,257			187,414			192,792
Liabilities related to held for sale disposal group		7,169			-			-
Current maturities of long-term debt		28			1,098			851
Total current liabilities		663,407			675,133			678,884
Deferred income taxes		12,362			27,539			17,763
Long-term debt		661,143			542,410			713,058
Other long-term liabilities		102,577			63,082			104,394
Total liabilities		1,439,489			1,308,164			1,514,099
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized - 100,000,000 shares, issued - 74,435,628 shares in 2015 and 2014		7,444			7,444			7,444
Additional paid-in capital		411,504			412,839			412,291
Treasury stock, at cost – 36,349,375 shares in 2015 and 35,719,041 shares in 2014		(1,070,183	)		(1,027,575	)		(1,042,501	)
Retained earnings		1,557,281			1,488,469			1,541,675
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(65,776	)		(39,495	)		(62,791	)
Total stockholders’ equity		840,270			841,682			856,118
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,279,759		$	2,149,846		$	2,370,217

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Essendant Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

	For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2015			2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$	26,269		$	55,188
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		24,198			19,430
Share-based compensation		3,268			4,294
Loss on the disposition of property, plant and equipment		57			96
Amortization of capitalized financing costs		451			460
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation		(433	)		(638	)
Asset impairment charges		24,034			-
Deferred income taxes		(8,365	)		(5,317	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net		28,330			(17,650	)
Decrease in inventory		44,984			39,290
Increase in other assets		(10,173	)		(2,765	)
Increase in accounts payable		3,152			21,961
Decrease in checks in-transit		(19,240	)		(28,545	)
Decrease (increase) in accrued liabilities		4,794			(1,106	)
Decrease in other liabilities		(478	)		(5,809	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		120,848			78,889
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(11,931	)		(10,335	)
Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment		18			869
Acquisition, net of cash acquired		(532	)		(26,161	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(12,445	)		(35,627	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net repayments under revolving credit facility		(52,738	)		(14,489	)
Borrowings under Receivables Securitization Program		-			9,300
Repayment of debt		-			(135,000	)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt		-			150,000
Net disbursements from share-based compensation arrangements		(759	)		(1,788	)
Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost		(31,227	)		(31,152	)
Payment of cash dividends		(10,699	)		(10,991	)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation		433			638
Payment of debt issuance costs		(36	)		(615	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(95,026	)		(34,097	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(135	)		4
Transfer of cash to held for sale		(4,119	)		-
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		9,123			9,169
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		20,812			22,326
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	29,935		$	31,495

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Essendant Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Operating Income, Net Income, and Diluted Earnings Per Share

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,
	2015						2014
				% to					% to
	Amount			Net Sales			Amount		Net Sales
Net Sales	$	1,341,799			100.0	%	$	1,320,037		100.0	%
Gross profit	$	212,062			15.8	%	$	199,460		15.1	%
Operating expenses	$	158,159			11.8	%	$	142,186		10.8	%
Workforce reduction and facility consolidation charge		138			0.0	%		-		-
Rebranding - intangible asset amortization		(512	)		0.0	%		-		-
Asset held for sale related costs		(1,361	)		(0.1	%)		-		-
Adjusted operating expenses	$	156,424			11.7	%	$	142,186		10.8	%
Operating income	$	53,903			4.0	%	$	57,274		4.3	%
Operating expense items noted above		1,735			0.1	%		-		-
Adjusted operating income	$	55,638			4.1	%	$	57,274		4.3	%
Net income	$	30,261					$	33,331
Operating expense items noted above, net of tax		942						-
Adjusted net income	$	31,203					$	33,331
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.79					$	0.85
Per share operating expense items noted above		0.03						-
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	0.82					$	0.85
Adjusted diluted earnings per share - change over the prior year period		(3.5	%)
Weighted average number of common shares - diluted		38,106						39,226

Note: Adjusted Operating Expenses, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share in the second quarter of 2015 exclude the effects of a $0.1 million partial reversal of the first quarter facility consolidation charge, $0.5 million accelerated amortization related to rebranding, and $1.4 million related to listing a non-strategic business for sale. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles require that the effects of these items be included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Management believes that excluding these items is an appropriate comparison of its ongoing operating results and to the results of the prior year. It is helpful to provide readers of its financial statements with a reconciliation of these items to its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

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Essendant Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Operating Income, Net Income, and Diluted Earnings Per Share

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015						2014
				% to					% to
	Amount			Net Sales			Amount		Net Sales
Net Sales	$	2,674,174			100.0	%	$	2,574,176		100.0	%
Gross profit	$	416,512			15.6	%	$	386,543		15.0	%
Operating expenses	$	356,531			13.3	%	$	291,035		11.3	%
Workforce reduction and facility consolidation charge		(6,295	)		(0.2	%)		-		-
Rebranding - intangible asset impairment and amortization		(10,975	)		(0.4	%)		-		-
Asset held for sale impairment and related costs		(14,927	)		(0.6	%)		-		-
Adjusted operating expenses	$	324,334			12.1	%	$	291,035		11.3	%
Operating income	$	59,981			2.2	%	$	95,508		3.7	%
Operating expense items noted above		32,197			1.2	%		-		-
Adjusted operating income	$	92,178			3.4	%	$	95,508		3.7	%
Net income	$	26,269					$	55,188
Operating expense items noted above, net of tax		24,837						-
Adjusted net income	$	51,106					$	55,188
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.69					$	1.40
Per share operating expense items noted above		0.64						-
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	1.33					$	1.40
Adjusted diluted earnings per share - change over the prior year period		(5.0	%)
Weighted average number of common shares - diluted		38,317						39,435

Note: Adjusted Operating Expenses, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share in the first half of 2015 exclude the effects of a $6.3 million workforce reduction and facility consolidation, $11.0 million intangible asset charge and accelerated amortization related to rebranding, and $14.9 million related to listing a non-strategic business for sale. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles require that the effects of these items be included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Management believes that excluding these items is an appropriate comparison of its ongoing operating results and to the results of the prior year. It is helpful to provide readers of its financial statements with a reconciliation of these items to its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

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EX-99.2

Essendant Inc. Earnings Presentation Second Quarter 2015 July 23, 2015 Exhibit 99.2

Forward Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures This presentation contains forward-looking statements, including references to goals, plans, strategies, objectives, projected costs or savings, anticipated future performance, results or events and other statements that are not strictly historical in nature.  These statements are based on management’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions.  This means they involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied here.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: end-user demand for products in the office, technology, and furniture product categories may continue to decline; Essendant’s reliance on key customers, and the risks inherent in continuing or increased customer concentration and consolidations; prevailing economic conditions and changes affecting the business products industry and the general economy; Essendant’s ability to effectively manage its operations and to implement growth, cost-reduction and margin-enhancement initiatives; the impact of Essendant’s repositioning, restructuring and rebranding activities on Essendant’s customers, suppliers, and operations; Essendant’s reliance on supplier allowances and promotional incentives; Essendant’s reliance on independent resellers for a significant percentage of its net sales and, therefore, the importance of the continued independence, viability and success of these resellers; continuing or increasing competitive activity and pricing pressures within existing or expanded product categories, including competition from product manufacturers who sell directly to Essendant’s customers; the impact of supply chain disruptions or changes in key suppliers’ distribution strategies; Essendant’s ability to maintain its existing information technology systems and the systems and e-commerce services that it provides to customers, and to successfully procure, develop and implement new systems and services without business disruption or other unanticipated difficulties or costs; the creditworthiness of Essendant’s customers; Essedant’s ability to manage inventory in order to maximize sales and supplier allowances while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory; Essendant’s success in effectively identifying, consummating and integrating acquisitions; the risks and expense associated with Essendant’s obligations to maintain the security of private information provided by Essendant’s customers; the costs and risks related to compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards affecting Essendant’s business; the availability of financing sources to meet Essendant’s business needs; Essendant’s reliance on key management personnel, both in day-to-day operations and in execution of new business initiatives; and the effects of hurricanes, acts of terrorism and other natural or man-made disruptions.      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 Essendant’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 Essendant 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. Information marked with an asterisk (*) is non-GAAP information. A reconciliation of these items to the most comparable GAAP measures is presented on the company’s Website (www.unitedstationers.com) under the Investor Information section. Except as noted, all references within this presentation to financial results are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. 2

Results Recap 2nd quarter 2015 results reflect progress on strategic plan Sales Sales increased 1.6%, 4.9% organic sales decline Janitorial and breakroom grew 3.1% Industrial grew 48.1% positively impacted by acquisitions, 11.6% organic decline due to energy sector headwinds Gross Margin was 15.8% Adjusted EPS was $0.82* Free Cash Flow was $108.9 million Announced the acquisition of Nestor LLC on July 15, 2015

Strategy Three Elements of Our Strategy Strengthen our Core business Win online Expand and diversify our offering to higher growth and higher margin channels and categories

Second Quarter 2015 Results Sales were $1.34 billion, up 1.6% Gross margin was $212.1 million, or 15.8% of sales Adjusted operating expenses in Q2 2015 were $156.4 million*, or 11.7%* of sales Adjusted operating income was $55.6 million*, or 4.1%* of sales Adjusted net income was $31.2 million* Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.82*

Shift in Sales Mix by Product Category **Industrial sales includes the impact of the acquisition of CPO Commerce, Inc. on May 30, 2014 and MEDCO on October 31, 2014

Sales by Channel – Q2 2015 Our new E-Commerce channel is a subset of both National and Independent & Other channels disclosed above.

Implement a common operating and information technology platform for our office products and janitorial/breakroom products to simplify customer experience and deliver cost savings Implementation in facilities is expected to begin in 2015 and cascade into the 1st half of 2016. Incremental costs are expected to be $13 million in 2015; $2.4 million realized through June 30, 2015. When completed, will enable lower operating expenses of $5 - $10 million in the back half of 2016, and $15 - $20 million on an annual basis thereafter. Restructuring to effectively and cost efficiently meet customer needs Costs related to a workforce reduction and facility consolidations were $6.3 million in the first half of 2015. Additional actions will occur later in 2015 for a full year pre-tax charge of approximately $9 million. Cost savings are expected to be $6 million in 2015 and $10 million annually beginning in 2016. Exiting non-strategic channels and categories Active effort to sell a non-strategic business, Azerty de Mexico, with a non-cash pre-tax loss of $14.0 million and an additional pre-tax loss of $0.9 million in the first half of 2015. Additional financial impacts of this sale, both cash and non-cash, may occur during 2015 as we complete this transaction. Communicating purpose, vision and repositioning with a new brand Impairment and accelerated amortization of intangibles related to rebranding efforts of $11.0 million in the first half of 2015, and expect a total of $12 million for the full year. Announced the impending acquisition of Nestor Sales LLC Accelerates our growth in the automotive aftermarket and complements our existing industrial offerings while providing access to new customer segments, advancing a key strategic pillar to diversify into higher growth and margin channels and categories. All cash purchase price of $38.5 million, subject to customary closing adjustments; funded through cash on hand and cash available under revolving credit facility. 2015 Actions to Execute Our Strategy

Appendix

Consolidated Statement of Income For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Statement of Income For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014

Gross Margin Dollars in millions

Adjusted Operating Expense* Dollars in millions

Adjusted Operating Income* Dollars in millions

Adjusted Earnings per Share* Shares in millions

Working Capital Summary

Cash Flows

Debt and Capitalization