1922
The company is incorporated under the name Utility Supply Company.
1937
The company opens its first retail store and publishes its first office products catalog.
1960
Management recognizes growing business opportunities in the office products wholesale business.
1978
The Company begins to operate exclusively as an office products wholesaler and opens its first state-of-the-art distribution center.
1981
United Stationers becomes a public company.
1992
Acquires Stationers Distributing Company.
1995
Acquired by Associated Stationers.
1996
Acquires Azerty.
2000
Acquires Lagasse.
2001
Acquires Peerless Paper.
2005
Acquires Sweet Paper.
2012
Acquires O.K.I. Supply.
2014
Acquires CPO Commerce, MEDCO and G2S.
2015
Becomes Essendant.
2019
January
Acquired by Sycamore Partners affiliate, working together with another Sycamore portfolio company, Staples, Inc.
October
Divested the Industrial and Automotive businesses of Essendant to One Equity Partners, a private equity firm. This sale includes ORS Nasco, Essendant Canada, OKI Middle East, Medco, Nestor, and G2S.
