Essendant Inc., formerly known as United Stationers, is a national wholesale distributor of office supplies, with consolidated net sales of $5.3 billion.

Essendant's network of 20+ distribution centers allows the company to ship most products overnight to more than 90% of the U.S.[4] and next day delivery to major cities in Canada.

[5] Essendant was incorporated in 1922 under the name Utility Supply Company in Chicago by partners Harry Hecktman and Morris Wolf.

In the early 1950s, in addition to its catalog and retail operation, management recognized growing opportunities in the office products wholesale business.

[7] In September 2008, the company pioneered the use of data analytics to illustrate the Value of Wholesale to distribution (aka VOW Program).

[9] In July 2015, Essendant announced that its board of directors appointed Robert B. Aiken Jr., president and CEO effective immediately.

[10] On October 25, 2017, the board of directors elected Richard D. Phillips president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Azerty was founded in April 1983 by Marvin Frackt as the US subsidiary of Inter City Papers Limited of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

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

[24] On October 31, 2014, the company completed the acquisition of Liberty Bell Equipment Corporation, a United States wholesaler of auto aftermarket tools and supplies, and its affiliates (collectively, "MEDCO") including G2S Equipment de Fabrication et d'Entretien ULC ("G2S"), a Canadian wholesaler.

[26] On August 3, 2015, The company completed the acquisition of Nestor Sales LLC., a wholesaler and distributor of tools, equipment and supplies to the transportation industry.