The Leading Solution for

WORKPLACE ESSENTIALS

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; United’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; United’s

ability to effectively manage its operations and to implement growth, cost-reduction and margin-enhancement initiatives; the impact of

United’s repositioning, restructuring and rebranding activities on United’s customers, suppliers, and operations; United’s reliance on

supplier allowances and promotional incentives; United’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 United’s customers; the impact of supply chain disruptions or changes in key suppliers’ distribution

strategies; United’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 United’s customers; United’s ability to manage inventory in order to

maximize sales and supplier allowances while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory; United’s success in effectively identifying,

consummating and integrating acquisitions; the risks and expense associated with United’s obligations to maintain the security of

private information provided by United’s customers; the costs and risks related to compliance with laws, regulations and industry

standards affecting United’s business; the availability of financing sources to meet United’s business needs; United’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 United’s results, please see the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The

forward-looking information in this presentation 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

presentation 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.

Asterisks (*) designate 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 section. Except as noted, all references within this presentation to financial results are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally

Accepted Accounting Principles.

June 1, 2015

One Vision

We supply the essentials that unlock the potential

of our partners and those they serve.

One Goal

To be the fastest and most convenient solution

for workplace essentials.

NASDAQ: ESND

NASDAQ: ESND

Essendant (ESND): Workplace Essentials

Millions of Business

Customers

1,600+ manufacturers

160,000+ products

30,000+ resellers

NASDAQ: ESND

Industrial

Everyday Consumables = Workplace Essentials

Business

Essentials

Facility

Automotive

Breakroom

NASDAQ: ESND

Office Products

Industrial &

Automotive

Facility (Janitorial and

Breakroom)

44%

Workplace Essentials Categories

Technology Products

Office Furniture

6% 23%

28%

27%

16%

NASDAQ: ESND

Essendant Vision

Enhanced

digital

services

To supply the essentials that unlock the potential of our partners and

those they serve

Nationwide

same / next-day

fulfillment platform

Category

and channel

expertise

NASDAQ: ESND

• Next day

delivery to over

90% of the U.S.

• 97% line fill

rates

• eBusiness

solutions

Nationwide Distribution

NASDAQ: ESND

Broad Range of Buying Patterns

PRINT DIGITAL

Omni-Channel Marketing &

Merchandising

Reseller Access to Broad Product

Assortment

NASDAQ: ESND

Our Goal and Strategy

To become the fastest and most convenient solution for

WORKPLACE ESSENTIALS

• Strengthen our core business

• Win Shift to Online

• Diversify

NASDAQ: ESND

Well Positioned to Take Advantage

of Current Trends

Office Products

Janitorial & Breakroom

Industrial & Auto

Industrial &

Auto

Janitorial & Breakroom

Industrial &

Auto

Office Products

New / Emerging Online

NASDAQ: ESND

Office Product Sales

$3,445 $3,510 $3,618 $3,638

$3,533

$3,264 $3,334 $3,312 $3,255 $3,089 $3,079

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

$3,500

$4,000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

CAGR -1.1%

Industry: (3-5%) In

mill

ion

s

NASDAQ: ESND

Facility Essentials

Janitorial

• Skin care and personal hygiene

• Bags & can liners

• Chemicals

• Mops, brooms & brushes

• Odor control

• Safety

• Floor & carpet care

Breakroom

• Foodservice Disposables

• Coffee & Tea

• Cold Beverages

• Condiments

• Snacks

• Paper & dispensers

NASDAQ: ESND

$472

$699

$849 $925

$1,053 $1,118 $1,105

$1,222 $1,282

$1,335

$1,449

$0

$100

$200

$300

$400

$500

$600

$700

$800

$900

$1,000

$1,100

$1,200

$1,300

$1,400

$1,500

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Janitorial and Breakroom Sales Industry: 0-2% In

mill

ion

s

NASDAQ: ESND

Industrial and Automotive Essentials

Industrial

• Electrical & lighting

• Hand tools

• Janitorial equipment

• Material handling

• Measuring and leveling tools

• MRO supplies

• Power tools

• Safety & security

• Welding supplies

Automotive

• Abrasives

• Tools and equipment

• Chemicals

• Lubricants

• Paints

NASDAQ: ESND

$301

$230 $282

$349

$409

$518

$639

$100

$200

$300

$400

$500

$600

$700

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Industrial and Automotive Sales Industry: 0-4%

In m

illio

ns

NASDAQ: ESND

Financial Highlights

NASDAQ: ESND

Goals and Repositioning

Outperform underlying

market growth

Achieve operating margins in excess of

5%

Drive ROIC expansion

Achieve top quartile peer performance

• Strengthen our core business

• Win Shift to Online

• Diversify

NASDAQ: ESND

$3.8

$4.3 $4.5 $4.6

$5.0 $4.7 $4.8

$5.0 $5.1 $5.1 $5.3

$0.0

$1.0

$2.0

$3.0

$4.0

$5.0

$6.0

Sales

$ Billions

Operating Income – Adjusted

$ Millions

162 171

184

204 189

177

198 204 207

223 218

$-

$50.0

$100.0

$150.0

$200.0

$250.0

Financial Performance

NASDAQ: ESND

ROE vs. ROIC

Post-Split Diluted EPS – Adjusted

$/share

14.5%

15.2%

16.4% 17.1%

15.1%

10.8% 10.9% 11.4% 10.9%

9.6%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

18.0%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

ROIC ROE

$1.44

$1.50 $1.64

$1.93 $2.02

$1.96

$2.19

$2.51

$2.82

$3.29 $3.26

$-

$0.50

$1.00

$1.50

$2.00

$2.50

$3.00

$3.50ROE ROIC

Financial Performance

NASDAQ: ESND

Note: Initiated cash dividend in Q1 2011

Capital Allocation (2010-2014)

In millions

Strong Free Cash Flow and Effective Capital Deployment

-

200

400

600

800

1,000

Operating Cash Flows

Stock Repurchases

Capital Spending

Acquisitions

Dividend Payments

NASDAQ: ESND

• Leveraging core operating

platform

• Attractive growth

opportunities

• Expanding set of digital

solutions

• Attracting talent with a

purpose-driven culture

• Generating strong free

cash flow and returning

cash to investors

Summary