Posted October 25, 2011
United Stationers sales up 3.1%
Wholesaler United Stationers said its net sales in the third quarter were $1.3 billion, up 3.1% from the prior-year quarter.
Net income was $35.8 million in 2011, compared with $36.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Diluted earnings per share of 81 cents, compared with 77 cents in the prior-year quarter. Sales in the industrial supplies category, which includes ORS Nasco, were up were up 23.7%.
"Our growth and customer initiatives continue to drive positive results, particularly in our janitorial/breakroom and industrial categories, in an economy that still does not have many bright spots," said Cody Phipps, president and chief executive officer. "We are keeping a sharp focus on margins, operating costs and capital deployment to ensure a strong financial position in the current environment. At the same time, we continue to invest in the future, creating attractive long-term opportunities for the business."
Sales in the first nine months of 2011 were $3.8 billion, up 4.3%, led by double-digit increases in industrial supplies and in the janitorial/breakroom category.
