DEERFIELD, Ill., July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Essendant Inc. (NASDAQ: ESND), a leading supplier of workplace essentials, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Essendant Co. signed an agreement to acquire Nestor Sales LLC, a leading wholesaler and distributor of tools, equipment and supplies to the transportation industry. The all cash purchase price is $38.5 million, subject to closing adjustments.
Headquartered in Largo, Florida, Nestor serves multiple end markets including auto aftermarket parts stores, mobile tool dealers, fleet service providers, composite manufacturers, RV manufacturers and e-retailers. It offers more than 24,000 branded and private label products from 10 distribution centers strategically located across the United States. In 2014, Nestor had sales of more than $70 million.
"Nestor accelerates our growth in the automotive aftermarket and complements our MEDCO and overall industrial business while also providing access to new customer segments," said Robert B. Aiken, Jr., interim president and chief executive officer of Essendant. "As the fastest and most convenient solution for workplace essentials, our scale, operational capabilities and financial strength will enable us to better serve Nestor's customers. I am pleased to welcome the Nestor employees to our organization," continued Aiken.
The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions. Essendant plans to fund this acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and cash available under its revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to be slightly dilutive to 2015 earnings, and add $0.04 to $0.05 to earnings in 2016.
Essendant will discuss this transaction during its second quarter 2015 earnings call on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 7:30a.m. CDT.
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including references to goals, plans, strategies, objectives, 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: Essendant's reliance on key customers, and the risks inherent in continuing or increased customer concentration; prevailing economic conditions and changes affecting the general economy; Essendant's ability to effectively manage its operations and to implement growth, cost-reduction and margin-enhancement initiatives; Essendant's reliance on supplier allowances and promotional incentives; Essendant'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 Essendant's customers; the impact of supply chain disruptions or changes in key suppliers' distribution strategies; Essendant'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 Essendant's customers; Essendant's ability to manage inventory in order to maximize sales and supplier allowances while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory; Essendant's success in effectively identifying, consummating and integrating acquisitions; the risks and expense associated with Essendant's obligations to maintain the security of private information provided by Essendant's customers; the costs and risks related to compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards affecting Essendant's business; the availability of financing sources to meet Essendant's business needs; Essendant'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 Essendant's results, please see the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The forward-looking information in this news release 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 Essendant regarding the matters discussed in this release 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.
About Essendant
Essendant Inc. (formerly known as United Stationers Inc.) is a leading supplier of workplace essentials, with 2014 net sales of $5.3 billion. The company stocks a broad assortment of over 160,000 items, including technology products, traditional office products, janitorial and breakroom supplies, office furniture, industrial supplies, and automotive aftermarket tools. The Company's network of 74 distribution centers enable the Company to ship most products overnight to more than ninety percent of the U.S. and major cities in Mexico and Canada. For more information, visit essendant.com.
Essendant's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ESND.
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SOURCE Essendant Inc.
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