| Forward Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures This presentation 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: United’s ability to manage its operations and respond effectively to prevailing economic conditions and changes affecting the business products industry and the general economy; United’s success in implementing general cost-reduction and margin-enhancement initiatives; United’s reliance on key customers, and the business, credit and other risks inherent in continuing or increased customer concentration; the availability of financing sources to meet United’s business needs; United’s reliance on key suppliers and the supplier allowances and promotional incentives they provide; United’s reliance on independent dealers for a significant percentage of its net sales and therefore the importance of the continued independence, viability and success of these dealers; 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 a loss of, or substantial decrease in, the availability of products or service from key suppliers at competitive prices; the impact of variability in customer and end-user demand on United’s product offerings and sales mix and, in turn, on customer rebates payable and supplier allowances earned by United, as well as the cost of liquidating excess or obsolete inventory at a loss; United’s ability to maintain its existing information technology systems and to successfully procure and implement new systems without business disruption or other unanticipated difficulties or costs; United’s ability to effectively identify, consummate and integrate acquisitions; 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 such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information in this presentation is given as of this date only, and the Company undertakes no responsibility to update or revise it. For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could materially affect United’s results, please see the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. 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 an exhaustive or complete list. * This is 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 Information section. Except as noted, all references to financial results within this presentation are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. |
