United Stationers

File:United Stationers Logo.jpg
Type	Public (NASDAQ: USTR)
Industry	Wholesale Distribution
Founded	1922
Headquarters	Deerfield, Illinois, United States
Key people	P. Cody Phipps, President and Chief Executive Officer
Products	Office supplies, electronics, furniture
Revenue	$4.832 billion (2010)
Website	http://www.unitedstationers.com

United Stationers NASDAQ: USTR is the largest wholesale distributor of business products in North America, with sales in of nearly $5 billion. In 2011, it ranked 467 (previous rank: 439) out of the Fortune 500 companies. United Stationers is made up of multiple divisions: United Stationers Supply Company (business products), LagasseSweet (janitorial and sanitation Products), Azerty (technology products), ORS Nasco (industrial products), and MBS Dev (software). United Stationers is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois with employee size 250 - 499.

United Stationers sells to a broad spectrum of customers, including office products dealers; contract stationers; office products superstores; computer products resellers; office furniture dealers; mass merchandisers; mail order companies; sanitary supply, paper and foodservice distributors; drug and grocery store chains; e-commerce merchants; oil field, welding supply and industrial/MRO distributors; and other independent distributors. It serves a reseller community of 30,000. The company maintains nearly 70 warehouses supporting its different divisions and is able to boast next morning delivery for almost 100,000 products it carries to every state in the continental United States for orders entered as late as 5PM the previous evening. Its focus on operational excellence has given the company an average line fill rate of better than 97%, a 99.6% order accuracy rate, and a 99% on-time delivery rate.^[1]

The current officers of the company include:^[2]

• Frederick B. Hegi Jr., Independent Chairman of the Board
• Paul Cody Phipps, President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
• Victoria J. Reich, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President
• Timothy P. Connolly, President - Operations and Logistics Services
• Stephen A. Schultz, Group President of LagasseSweet and ORS Nasco
• Todd A. Shelton, President - United Stationers Supply
• S. David Bent, Senior Vice President e-Business Services, Corporate Chief Information Officer
• Eric A. Blanchard, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
• Barbara J. Kennedy, Senior Vice President - Human Resources
• Robert Blaine Aiken Jr., Independent Director

In December 2010, United Stationers announced that P. Cody Phipps, the company's Chief Operating Officer, would become president and CEO when Richard W. Gochnauer, CEO, retired at the annual shareholders’ meeting in May 2011.^[3]

United Stationers offers a number of private label brands to its reseller community. These brands include Innovera (tech products), Windsoft (sanitary paper products), Universal (office products), and Alera (Office Furniture).

History[link]

The company was incorporated in 1922 under the name Utility Supply Company. During the early 1930s, the company published its first office products catalog. The concept was such a success that the business was further expanded with the opening of its first retail store in 1937. In the early 1950s, in addition to its catalog and retail operation, management recognized growing opportunities in the office products wholesale business. In 1970, the company opened its first state-of-the-art distribution center. As time passed, the Company found it difficult to compete as both a retailer and wholesaler. So, in 1978, the retail operations were sold and the Company began to operate exclusively as an office products wholesaler.

To provide the capital to further its growth, United Stationers went public in 1981. In 1984, the Company established MicroUnited to capitalize on the growth in the computer supplies sector. The company's MicroUnited division focused on the distribution of peripherals and supplies to computer products resellers. United Stationers recognized that its marketing programs and distribution infrastructure would be attractive to customers within other industries. Therefore, the company established its United Facility Supply Division in 1994 to participate in the distribution of facility maintenance supplies.

Mergers and acquisitions[link]

To expand their line of business, on October 31, 1996 the company acquired Lagasse Bros., Inc., a wholesaler of janitorial and sanitation supplies.

As competition in the late 1980s intensified within the office products industry, consolidation at all levels of the industry became commonplace. In June 1992, United Stationers acquired Stationers Distributing Company, a $425 million office products wholesaler in Fort Worth, Texas. This transaction made the Company a $1.5 billion wholesale distributor.

In March 1995, the Company merged with Associated Stationers, a $475 million general line wholesaler.

On April 3, 1998, United Stationers acquired Azerty, a $350 million wholesaler of computer consumables. Azerty was founded in April 1983 by Marvin Frackt as the US subsidiary of Inter City Papers Limited of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Bill Dueger was the first manager of Azerty, reporting to Marvin Frackt. Subsequently, the company's MicroUnited division was merged into Azerty. In July 2000, United Stationers increased its geographic penetration in Canada by purchasing Azerty Canada, a $115 million computer consumables business. The company was renamed Azerty/United Canada after merging the Azerty and United operations.

To broaden the Lagasse division's reach, the company completed the acquisition of Peerless Paper, a $75 million wholesaler in the janitorial/sanitation industry, in January 2001.

In May 2005, Lagasse completed the purchase of Sweet Paper, a $250 million distributor of janitorial/sanitation, paper and food service products. This acquisition expanded Lagasse's product line and enhanced its scale and infrastructure in key markets.

On March 31, 2006, United Stationers decided to sell its Canadian division. In June 2006, the company completed the sale of certain assets associated with its Canadian division.

To diversify and expand its product and customer base, United Stationers acquired ORS Nasco, a $285 million wholesale distributor of industrial supplies, on December 21, 2007.^[4]

On March 1, 2010 United Stationers successfully acquired their first technology company, privately owned MBS Dev, a Colorado-based software provider. A Microsoft Certified Partner, MBS Dev will retain its name and operate as a separate unit within the larger company. ^[5] MBS Dev specializes in implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX software for wholesale distribution companies in vertical markets and was named one of Inc. Magazine's 500 Fastest Growing Companies in 2009.^[6]

Company locations[link]

United Stationers maintains company locations in the following cities: Albany, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Canada, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, Grand Rapids, Harrisburg, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, Muskogee, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, South Bend, St. Louis, St. Paul, Tulsa, Visalia.

References[link]

1. ^ http://www.unitedstationers.com/profile/overview.html
2. ^ http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:USTR
3. ^ http://www.mdm.com/united-stationers-announces-ceo-transition/PARAMS/article/26761
4. ^ http://www.unitedstationers.com/profile/history.html
5. ^ http://www.mbsdev.com/documents/Press%20Releases/2010_UnitedAcquires.pdf
6. ^ http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/mbs-dev

Further reading[link]

• "Big interview: Cody Phipps", Office Products International magazine, March 1, 2010. The interview is with Cody Phipps, President of United Stationers.

External links[link]

• United Stationers website
• Azerty website
• LagasseSweet website
• ORS Nasco website
• MBS Dev website

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2010)

Chris Zane is a music producer, engineer and mixer based in New York City.

Discography[link]

2011[link]

• Heartsrevolution - "Ride or Die" (Kitsune)
• Friendly Fires - "Pala" (XL)
• Holy Ghost! - "Holy Ghost!" (DFA)
• Asobi Seksu - "Fluorescence" (Polyvinyl)
• Chapel Club - "Surfacing" (Polydor)
• Ruby Frost - "Goodnight" (Universal)

2010[link]

• The Hundred in the Hands - "This City", "Dressed in Dresden" (Warp)
• Les Savy Fav - "Root for Ruin" (Frenchkiss/Witchita Recordings)
• The Walkmen - "Lisbon" (Fat Possum)
• Suckers - "Wild Smile" (Frenchkiss Records)
• Holy Ghost! - "Static on the Wire" (DFA)
• Passion Pit - Manners (Bonus) (Columbia Records)
• The Hundred in the Hands - "This Desert" (Warp)
• Shy Child - "Liquid Love" (Wall of Sound)

2009[link]

• Mumford and Sons - "Little Lion Man EP" (Universal)
• Passion Pit - Manners (Frenchkiss Records/Columbia Records)
• Harlem Shakes - "Technicolor Health" (Gigantic Music)
• The Rakes - "Klang" (V2 Records/Universal Records)
• Asobi Seksu - "Hush" (Polyvinyl)

2008[link]

• Frances - "All the While" (Gigantic Music)
• The Walkmen - "You & Me" (Gigantic Music)
• Tokyo Police Club - "Elephant Shell" (Saddle Creek)

2007[link]

• Les Savy Fav - "Let's Stay Friends" (Frenchkiss Records/Witchita Recordings)
• White Rabbits - "Fort Nightly" (Say Hey Records)
• Asobi Seksu - "Strawberries" single (One Little Indian)
• Shy Child - "Noise Won't Stop" (Kill Rock Stars/PIAS)
• Les Savy Fav - "What Would Wolves Do?" single (Universal Records/Witchita Recordings)
• Asobi Seksu - "Stay Awake" single (Gigantic Music)
• The Boggs - "Forts" (Gigantic Music)
• Tokyo Police Club - "Your English Is Good" single (Memphis Industries)
• Harlem Shakes - "Burning Birthdays" (self-released)

2006[link]

• Les Savy Fav - "Accidental Deaths" single (Rococo/Popfrenzy)
• Ambulance LTD - "New English" EP (TVT Records)
• Thunderbirds Are Now! - "Make History" (Frenchkiss Records)
• Human Television - "Look At Who You're Talking To" (Gigantic Music)
• Asobi Seksu - "Citrus" (Friendly Fire Recordings/One Little Indian)
• Les Savy Fav - "Plagues & Snakes" single (Frenchkiss Records)

2005[link]

• Shy Child - "Noise Won't Stop" single (WEA/Warner)
• Calla - "It Dawned On Me" single (Beggars Banquet Records)
• Tangiers - "The Family Myth" (Frenchkiss Records)
• Lee Ranaldo - "Drift" (Plexifilm)
• Calla - "Collisions (Beggars Banquet Records)
• The Cloud Room - "The Cloud Room" (Gigantic Music)

2004[link]

• Calla - "Strangler" (Rykodisc)
• INOUK - "Search for the Bees" EP (Say Hey Records)
• Shy Child - "One With the Sun" (Say Hey Records)
• INOUK - "No Danger" (Astralwerks/Say Hey Records)
• Ambulance LTD - "LP" (TVT Records)
• Les Savy Fav - "Inches" (Frenchkiss Records)
• Human Television - "Human Television" (Gigantic Music)
• Les Savy Fav - "Hold Onto Your Genre" (Rococo/Popfrenzy)
• Mendoza Line - "Fortune" (Cooking Vinyl)
• Les Savy Fav - "Fading Vibes" (Rococo/Popfrenzy)
• Human Television - "All Songs Written By" (Gigantic Music)

2003[link]

• Calla - "Televise" (Arena Rock Recordings)
• Mink Lungs - "I'll Take It" (Arena Rock Recordings)
• Ambulance LTD - "Ambulance LTD" EP (TVT Records)
• The Boggs - "We Are The Boggs We Are" (Arena Rock Recordings)

Related links[link]

• http://www.chris-zane.com
• http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p586940/credits
• http://albumcredits.com/Profile/586940
• http://www.discogs.com/artist/Chris+Zane
• http://www.sonicscoop.com/2009/09/23/chris-zane-on-passion-pit-the-walkmen-awesome-drum-sounds/
• http://www.izotope.com/artists/chris_zane.asp

This article is an orphan, as few or no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; suggestions may be available. (January 2011)

Jay Baer (Born 1969) is coauthor ^[1] of, "The Now Revolution: 7 Shifts to Make Your Business Faster, Smarter and More Social.”^[2] (coauthored by Amber Naslund). The book discusses the impact of the social web and how businesses need to “adapt to the new era of instantaneous business.”^[3] Jay Baer is a social media strategist, author, speaker and President of Convince & Convert. Founder of five companies, he’s worked with over 700 brands (including Nike, Cold Stone Creamery, Sony, ExactTarget, and ConocoPhillips) since 1994, including 25 of the Fortune 1000. His Convince & Convert blog is ranked among the world’s top marketing resources, and was named #3 social media blog in the world by Social Media Examiner.

Biography[link]

Baer was born in 1969 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He grew up in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He was a Phi beta kappa graduate of the University of Arizona (class of 1991) with a major in political science and a minor in communications. He attended as a Flinn Scholar, a prestigious leadership and academic scholarship given to 20 Arizona high school seniors each year.

In his early career, Jay was a political campaign manager on congressional, gubernatorial and state-wide initiative campaigns. He also worked in public relations, and as a marketing manager for Waste Management, Inc.

He began his online marketing career in 1994, as Vice President at Internet Direct, Arizona's first Internet Service Provider, and a pioneering Web hosting company. Internet Direct was eventually sold to Mindspring.

After Internet Direct, Jay was the co-founder of azfamily.com, a pioneering local content website powered by KTVK 3TV, KASW-WB61, Phoenix Magazine, and KEZ Radio. A division of MAC America (a family-owned media conglomerate), azfamily.com was Arizona's second-largest content website, and a major designer and developer of corporate websites. In 1999, azfamily.com and all MAC America assets were sold to Belo Corporation.

In 2000, he spent a short period working as a Vice President at visitalk.com, a free VOIP calling and video calling service that functioned similarly to today's SKYPE.

Later in 2000, he founded the digital agency (Mighty Interactive^[4], providing Web strategy, search marketing, email marketing, usability, and online advertising solutions to corporate clients. Mighty Interactive was named Arizona's top digital marketing firm for five consecutive years by Ranking Arizona, and won many national and international awards for online marketing excellence. The firm was merged with marketing agency Off Madison Ave in 2005.

In 2008, Baer founded social media strategy consultancy Convince & Convert, working with corporate and agency clients nationally.

Baer now speaks at a lot of conferences and private events, mostly talking about the intersection of the web, communication, and business culture.

In September 2010, Jay moved to Bloomington, Indiana with his wife, two children, and assorted mammals and reptiles.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Current Company & Blog
• Slide Share Page
• Personal FaceBook Page
• "The Now Revolution," FaceBook Page
• Twitter Page
• LinkedIn Page
• YouTube Home Page
• Flickr Page
• Delicious Page