Essendant (ESND) 10-Q 21 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 19, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	ESND
Entity Registrant Name	ESSENDANT INC
Entity Central Index Key	355,999
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,391,273

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 28,047	$ 20,812
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,079 in 2015 and $19,725 in 2014	737,979	702,527
Inventories	860,355	906,430
Other current assets	31,946	30,713
Total current assets	1,658,327	1,660,482
Property, plant and equipment, net	129,744	138,217
Goodwill	413,178	398,042
Intangible assets, net	102,760	111,958
Other long-term assets	36,282	38,669
Total assets	2,340,291	2,347,368
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	540,949	485,241
Accrued liabilities	186,826	185,535
Current maturities of long-term debt	43	851
Total current liabilities	727,818	671,627
Deferred income taxes	15,119	17,763
Long-term debt	666,142	709,917
Other long-term liabilities	98,621	104,394
Total liabilities	1,507,700	1,503,701
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized - 100,000,000 shares, issued - 74,435,628 shares in 2015 and 2014	7,444	7,444
Additional paid-in capital	408,475	412,291
Treasury stock, at cost – 36,874,672 shares in 2015 and 35,719,041 shares in 2014	(1,090,624)	(1,042,501)
Retained earnings	1,564,816	1,529,224
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(57,520)	(62,791)
Total stockholders’ equity	832,591	843,667
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,340,291	$ 2,347,368

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 18,079	$ 19,725
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued	74,435,628	74,435,628
Treasury stock, shares	36,874,672	35,719,041

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,391,545	$ 1,419,947	$ 4,065,719	$ 3,994,123
Cost of goods sold	1,166,402	1,203,246	3,430,062	3,400,992
Gross profit	225,143	216,701	635,657	593,131
Operating expenses:
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses	172,159	148,831	526,653	438,538
Operating income	52,984	67,870	109,004	154,593
Interest expense, net	5,300	3,992	14,918	11,199
Income before income taxes	47,684	63,878	94,086	143,394
Income tax expense	20,017	23,647	42,594	53,349
Net income	$ 27,667	$ 40,231	$ 51,492	$ 90,045
Net income per share - basic:	$ 0.74	$ 1.05	$ 1.36	$ 2.32
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic	37,300	38,450	37,724	38,817
Net income per share - diluted:	$ 0.74	$ 1.03	$ 1.35	$ 2.29
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	37,608	38,884	38,109	39,244
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.14	$ 0.14	$ 0.42	$ 0.42

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 27,667	$ 40,231	$ 51,492	$ 90,045
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Translation adjustments	7,497	(1,395)	3,076	(1,378)
Minimum pension liability adjustments	967	606	2,831	1,767
Cash flow hedge adjustments	(208)	446	(636)	(339)
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax	8,256	(343)	5,271	50
Comprehensive income	$ 35,923	$ 39,888	$ 56,763	$ 90,095

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 51,492	$ 90,045
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,344	29,699
Share-based compensation	6,447	5,935
Loss on the disposition of property, plant and equipment	1,562	97
Amortization of capitalized financing costs	659	657
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation	(402)	(1,166)
Asset impairment charges	34,893
Loss on sale of equity investment	33
Deferred income taxes	(15,285)	(9,134)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable, net	(31,288)	(104,540)
Decrease in inventory	54,354	51,974
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(8,720)	10,000
Increase in accounts payable	8,972	24,663
Increase (decrease) in checks in-transit	41,440	(2,679)
Increase in accrued liabilities	6,500	2,883
Decrease in other liabilities	(3,342)	(4,768)
Net cash provided by operating activities	183,659	93,666
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(18,133)	(15,431)
Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment	184	872
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(40,471)	(26,725)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment	612
Net cash used in investing activities	(57,808)	(41,284)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net repayments under revolving credit facility	(45,309)	(12,094)
Borrowings under Receivables Securitization Program		9,300
Repayment of debt		(135,000)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt		150,000
Net disbursements from share-based compensation arrangements	(1,507)	(3,142)
Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost	(55,677)	(43,037)
Payment of cash dividends	(15,976)	(16,407)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation	402	1,166
Payment of debt issuance costs	(36)	(623)
Net cash used in financing activities	(118,103)	(49,837)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(513)	(33)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	7,235	2,512
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	20,812	22,326
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	28,047	24,838
Other Cash Flow Information:
Income tax payments, net	53,704	55,867
Interest paid	$ 16,032	$ 9,838

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements represent Essendant Inc. (“ESND”) (formerly known as United Stationers Inc.) with its wholly owned subsidiary Essendant Co. (formerly known as United Stationers Supply Co.), and Essendant Co.’s subsidiaries (collectively, “Essendant” or the “Company”). The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the accounts of ESND and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company operates in a single reportable segment as a leading distributor of workplace essentials. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014, was derived from the December 31, 2014 audited financial statements with certain line items being restated for changes in accounting principles. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principles,” for additional details. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, the reader of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for further information. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Essendant at September 30, 2015 and the results of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 should not necessarily be taken as indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire year. New Accounting Pronouncements In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-16, “ Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (Topic 805): Business Combinations, In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, “ Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement” In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Inventory Approximately 99% and 98% of total inventory as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, has been valued under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs, and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. Inventory valued under the LIFO accounting method is recorded at the lower of cost or market. If the Company had valued its entire inventory under the lower of first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost or market, inventory would have been $147.5 million and $139.6 million higher than reported as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company elected a change in accounting principle to change the valuation method for certain inventories. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principles,” for further details.

Change in Accounting Principles

Change in Accounting Principles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Change in Accounting Principles	2. Change in Accounting Principles Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation In the third quarter of 2015, the Company changed its method of inventory costing for certain inventory in its Business and Facility Essentials (formerly separately known as Supply and Lagasse) operating segment to the LIFO method from the FIFO accounting method. Prior to the change, the Business and Facility Essentials operating segment was comprised of two separate legal entities which each utilized different methods of inventory costing: LIFO for inventories related to Business Essentials which is comprised mainly of office product and breakroom categories and FIFO for inventories related to Facility Essentials which consists of the janitorial product category. The Company believes that the LIFO method is preferable because i) the Company is executing an initiative to combine the office products and janitorial categories onto a single information technology and operating platform, ii) it allows for consistency in financial reporting (all domestic inventories will now be on LIFO), and iii) it allows for better matching of costs and revenues as historical inflationary inventory acquisition prices are expected to continue in the future and the LIFO method uses the current acquisition cost to value cost of goods sold as inventory is sold. The change has been reported through retrospective application of the new accounting policy to all periods presented. The impact of the change in the method of inventory costing for certain inventory to the third quarter 2015 was a $4.2 million decrease to cost of goods sold, $2.3 million increase to net income, and $0.06 increase in basic and diluted EPS. Change in Method of Accounting for Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs Interest-Imputation of Interest The impact of all adjustments made to the consolidated financial statements presented is summarized in the following tables (in thousands, except per share data): Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold (A) $ 4,516,704 $ 4,524,676 $ 7,972 $ 4,295,715 $ 4,297,952 $ 2,237 $ 4,305,502 $ 4,303,778 $ (1,724 ) Gross profit (A) 810,501 802,529 (7,972 ) 789,578 787,341 (2,237 ) 774,604 776,328 1,724 Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses (A) 592,050 595,673 3,623 580,428 580,141 (287 ) 573,693 573,645 (48 ) Income before income taxes (A) 194,483 182,888 (11,595 ) 197,510 195,560 (1,950 ) 177,635 179,407 1,772 Income tax expense (A) 75,285 70,773 (4,512 ) 74,340 73,507 (833 ) 65,805 66,526 721 Net income (A) 119,198 112,115 (7,083 ) 123,170 122,053 (1,117 ) 111,830 112,881 1,051 Net income per share (A) Basic (A) $ 3.08 $ 2.90 $ (0.18 ) $ 3.11 $ 3.08 $ (0.03 ) $ 2.77 $ 2.80 $ 0.03 Diluted (A) $ 3.05 $ 2.87 $ (0.18 ) $ 3.06 $ 3.03 $ (0.03 ) $ 2.73 $ 2.75 $ 0.02 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income (A) $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) $ 123,170 $ 122,053 $ (1,117 ) $ 111,830 $ 112,881 $ 1,051 Comprehensive income (A) 96,295 89,212 (7,083 ) 137,047 135,930 (1,117 ) 114,471 115,522 1,051 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Inventories (A) $ 926,809 $ 906,430 $ (20,379 ) $ 830,295 $ 821,511 $ (8,784 ) $ 767,206 $ 760,372 $ (6,834 ) Other current assets (A) 30,042 30,713 671 29,255 29,255 - 30,118 30,118 - Other long-term assets (B) 41,810 38,669 (3,141 ) 25,576 22,185 (3,391 ) 20,260 17,737 (2,523 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 192,792 185,535 (7,257 ) 191,531 188,115 (3,416 ) 205,228 202,645 (2,583 ) Long-term debt (B) 713,058 709,917 (3,141 ) 533,324 529,933 (3,391 ) 524,376 521,853 (2,523 ) Retained earnings (A) 1,541,675 1,529,224 (12,451 ) 1,444,238 1,438,870 (5,368 ) 1,343,437 1,339,186 (4,251 ) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income (A) $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) $ 123,170 $ 122,053 $ (1,117 ) $ 111,830 $ 112,881 $ 1,051 Deferred income taxes (A) (6,367 ) (10,879 ) (4,512 ) (3,921 ) (4,754 ) (833 ) (6,713 ) (5,992 ) 721 Inventories (A) (30,319 ) (18,724 ) 11,595 (66,627 ) (64,677 ) 1,950 10,374 8,602 (1,772 ) Cash provided by operating activities (A) 77,133 77,133 - 74,737 74,737 - 189,814 189,814 - Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings at beginning of year (A) $ 1,444,238 $ 1,438,870 $ (5,368 ) $ 1,343,437 $ 1,339,186 $ (4,251 ) $ 1,253,118 $ 1,247,816 $ (5,302 ) Retained earnings at end of year (A) 1,541,675 1,529,224 (12,451 ) 1,444,238 1,438,870 (5,368 ) 1,343,437 1,339,186 (4,251 ) (A) Change related to Inventory Valuation (B) Change related to Debt Issuance Costs As of and for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold (A) $ 1,129,737 $ 1,131,680 $ 1,943 $ 1,127,925 $ 1,131,980 $ 4,055 Gross profit (A) 212,062 210,119 (1,943 ) 204,450 200,395 (4,055 ) Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses (A) 158,159 156,912 (1,247 ) 198,372 197,581 (791 ) Income before income taxes (A) 49,125 48,429 (696 ) 1,239 (2,025 ) (3,264 ) Income tax expense (A) 18,864 18,595 (269 ) 5,231 3,982 (1,249 ) Net income (loss) (A) 30,261 29,834 (427 ) (3,992 ) (6,007 ) (2,015 ) Net income (loss) per share (A) Basic (A) $ 0.80 $ 0.79 $ (0.01 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (0.16 ) $ (0.06 ) Diluted (A) $ 0.79 $ 0.78 $ (0.01 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (0.16 ) $ (0.06 ) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income (loss) (A) $ 30,261 $ 29,834 $ (427 ) $ (3,992 ) $ (6,007 ) $ (2,015 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (A) 31,450 31,023 (427 ) (8,166 ) (10,181 ) (2,015 ) Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Inventories (A) $ 875,465 $ 851,126 $ (24,339 ) $ 871,310 $ 847,667 $ (23,643 ) Other current assets (A) 29,595 30,344 749 31,226 31,977 751 Other long-term assets (B) 48,439 45,779 (2,660 ) 49,440 46,535 (2,905 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 190,257 181,560 (8,697 ) 175,770 167,344 (8,426 ) Long-term debt (B) 661,143 658,483 (2,660 ) 684,238 681,333 (2,905 ) Retained earnings (A) 1,557,281 1,542,388 (14,893 ) 1,532,325 1,517,859 (14,466 ) For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income (loss) (A) $ 26,269 $ 23,827 $ (2,442 ) $ (3,992 ) $ (6,007 ) $ (2,015 ) Deferred income taxes (A) (8,365 ) (8,294 ) 71 (1,858 ) (1,469 ) 389 Inventories (A) 44,984 48,944 3,960 42,759 46,023 3,264 Other assets (A) (10,173 ) (10,250 ) (77 ) (10,126 ) (10,751 ) (625 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 4,794 3,282 (1,512 ) (16,521 ) (17,534 ) (1,013 ) Cash provided by operating activities (A) 120,848 120,848 - 62,722 62,722 - (A) Change related to Inventory Valuation (B) Change related to Debt Issuance Costs As of and for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 As of and for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold (A) $ 1,208,919 $ 1,203,246 $ (5,673 ) $ 1,120,577 $ 1,124,485 $ 3,908 $ 1,067,056 $ 1,073,261 $ 6,205 Gross profit (A) 211,028 216,701 5,673 199,460 195,552 (3,908 ) 187,083 180,878 (6,205 ) Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses (A) 146,560 148,831 2,271 142,186 142,870 684 148,849 146,837 (2,012 ) Income before income taxes (A) 60,476 63,878 3,402 53,441 48,849 (4,592 ) 34,860 30,667 (4,193 ) Income tax expense (A) 22,307 23,647 1,340 20,110 18,327 (1,783 ) 13,003 11,375 (1,628 ) Net income (A) 38,169 40,231 2,062 33,331 30,522 (2,809 ) 21,857 19,292 (2,565 ) Net income per share (A) Basic (A) $ 0.99 $ 1.05 $ 0.06 $ 0.86 $ 0.79 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.56 $ 0.49 $ (0.07 ) Diluted (A) $ 0.98 $ 1.03 $ 0.05 $ 0.85 $ 0.78 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.55 $ 0.49 $ (0.06 ) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income (A) $ 38,169 $ 40,231 $ 2,062 $ 33,331 $ 30,522 $ (2,809 ) $ 21,857 $ 19,292 $ (2,565 ) Comprehensive income (A) 37,826 39,888 2,062 33,847 31,038 (2,809 ) 21,734 19,169 (2,565 ) Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Inventories (A) $ 796,325 $ 782,158 $ (14,167 ) $ 804,395 $ 786,826 $ (17,569 ) $ 748,499 $ 735,522 $ (12,977 ) Other long-term assets (B) 24,372 21,197 (3,175 ) 26,059 22,662 (3,397 ) 27,170 23,459 (3,711 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 189,224 183,737 (5,487 ) 187,414 180,587 (6,827 ) 177,251 172,207 (5,044 ) Long-term debt (B) 545,009 541,834 (3,175 ) 542,410 539,013 (3,397 ) 561,511 557,800 (3,711 ) Retained earnings (A) 1,521,230 1,512,550 (8,680 ) 1,488,469 1,477,727 (10,742 ) 1,460,582 1,452,649 (7,933 ) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income (A) $ 93,357 $ 90,045 $ (3,312 ) $ 55,188 $ 49,814 $ (5,374 ) $ 21,857 $ 19,292 $ (2,565 ) Deferred income taxes (A) (7,618 ) (9,134 ) (1,516 ) (5,317 ) (6,381 ) (1,064 ) (2,450 ) (2,437 ) 13 Inventories (A) 46,591 51,974 5,383 39,290 48,075 8,785 81,714 85,907 4,193 Accrued liabilities (A) 3,438 2,883 (555 ) (1,106 ) (3,453 ) (2,347 ) (13,654 ) (15,295 ) (1,641 ) Cash provided by operating activities (A) 93,666 93,666 - 78,889 78,889 - 1,490 1,490 - (A) Change related to Inventory Valuation (B) Change related to Debt Issuance Costs

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	3. Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions CPO Commerce, Inc. On May 30, 2014, Essendant Co. completed the acquisition of CPO Commerce, Inc. (“CPO”), a leading online retailer of brand name power tools and equipment. The acquisition of CPO significantly expanded the Company’s digital resources and capabilities to support resellers as they transition to an increasingly online environment. CPO’s expertise will strengthen Essendant’s ability to offer features like improved product content, real-time access to inventory and pricing, digital marketing and merchandising, and an enhanced digital platform to our resellers and manufacturing partners. The purchase price was $37.8 million, including $5.5 million related to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration. The contingent consideration ultimately paid will be determined based on CPO’s sales during a three-year period immediately following the acquisition date. The final payments related to the contingent consideration will be determined by actual achievement in the earn-out periods and will be between zero and $10 million. The Company financed the 100% stock acquisition with borrowings under the Company’s available committed bank facilities. Purchase accounting for this transaction was completed as of May 30, 2015. MEDCO On October 31, 2014, Essendant Co. completed the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of Liberty Bell Equipment Corp., a United States wholesaler of automotive aftermarket tools and equipment, and its affiliates (collectively, MEDCO) including G2S Equipement de Fabrication et d’Entretien, a Canadian wholesaler. MEDCO advances a key pillar of the Company’s strategy, which is to diversify into channels and categories that leverage our common platform. It also brings expanded categories and services to customers. The purchase price was $150.4 million, including $4.7 million related to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration. The contingent consideration ultimately paid will be determined based on MEDCO’s sales and EBITDA during a three-year period immediately following the acquisition date. Additionally, $6.0 million was reserved as a payable upon completion of an eighteen month indemnification period. The final payments related to the contingent consideration will be determined by actual achievement in the earn-out periods and will be between zero and $10 million. Any changes to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration after the original purchase accounting is completed will be recorded in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses” in the period in which a change occurs. This acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand and cash available under the Company’s committed bank facilities. Nestor Sales LLC On July 31, 2015, Essendant Co. completed the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of Nestor Sales LLC (“Nestor”), a leading wholesaler and distributor of tools, equipment and supplies to the transportation industry. This acquisition accelerates the Company’s growth in the automotive aftermarket, complements the Company’s existing industrial offerings while providing access to new customer segments, and advances a key strategic pillar to diversify into channels and categories that leverage our common platform. The purchase price was $41.8 million. This acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand and cash available under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The Company has developed preliminary estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the MEDCO and Nestor acquisitions for purposes of allocating the purchase prices. The estimates are subject to change as the valuation activities are completed. The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired in the MEDCO and Nestor acquisitions were estimated using various valuation methods including estimated selling prices, market approach, and discounted cash flows using both an income and cost approach. The same methods were used for determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired for the CPO acquisition. Any changes to the preliminary allocations of the purchase prices, some of which may be material, will be allocated to residual goodwill. At September 30, 2015, the allocations of the purchase prices were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO MEDCO Nestor (Final) (Preliminary) (Preliminary) Purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 32,225 $ 145,873 $ 39,939 Accounts receivable (2,956 ) (44,815 ) (9,230 ) Inventories (13,051 ) (55,491 ) (10,442 ) Other current assets (269 ) (1,299 ) (339 ) Property, plant and equipment, net (488 ) (4,408 ) (1,251 ) Other assets - (650 ) (752 ) Intangible assets (12,800 ) (40,000 ) (17,670 ) Total assets acquired (29,564 ) (146,663 ) (39,684 ) Accounts payable 16,911 32,383 4,992 Accrued liabilities 2,580 5,542 1,912 Deferred income taxes 3,453 2,716 3,875 Other long-term liabilities 90 52 76 Total liabilities assumed 23,034 40,693 10,855 Goodwill $ 25,695 $ 39,903 $ 11,110 The purchased identifiable intangible assets were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO (Final) MEDCO (Preliminary) Nestor (Preliminary) Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Customer relationships $ 5,200 3 years $ 37,590 3-15 years $ 16,890 13 years Trademark 7,600 15 years 2,410 1.5-15 years 780 2.5-15 years Total $ 12,800 $ 40,000 $ 17,670 Disposition of Azerty de Mexico On September 18, 2015, the Company completed the 100% stock-sale of its subsidiary, Azerty de Mexico, to the local general manager. The sale price was a combination of cash and a seller’s note, totaling $8.7 million. The seller’s note matures in 180 days and requires periodic repayments. When the decision to sell the subsidiary was approved, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360-10-45-9 Property, Plant, and Equipment Intangibles – Goodwill and Other

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	4. Share-Based Compensation As of September 30, 2015, the Company has two active equity compensation plans. On May 20, 2015 the Company’s stockholders approved certain amendments to the Amended and Restated 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP) which included the renaming of the LTIP to the “2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan” (as amended and restated, the “2015 Plan”). Under the 2015 Plan, award vehicles include, but are not limited to, stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance-based awards. Associates and non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to become participants in the plan. The Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock Compensation Plan allows non-employee directors to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their retainer and meeting fees. The Company granted 440,948 shares of restricted stock and 162,092 RSUs during the first nine months of 2015. No stock options were granted during the first nine months of 2015. During the first nine months of 2014, the Company granted 229,477 shares of restricted stock, 176,717 RSUs, and 5,538 stock options.

Severance and Restructuring Cha

Severance and Restructuring Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance and Restructuring Charges	5. Severance and Restructuring Charges The Company began certain restructuring actions in 2015 which included workforce reductions and facility consolidations. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $1.5 million pre-tax expense relating to facility consolidations, respectively. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $6.0 million pre-tax charge relating to a workforce reduction. These charges were included in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses.” Cash outflows for these actions will occur primarily in 2015 and were approximately $3.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has accrued liabilities for these actions of $3.1 million. The Company estimated an additional $1.5 million will be incurred in the remainder of 2015 due to facility closures related to this action, for a total 2015 expense of approximately $9.0 million.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are noted in the following table (in thousands): Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 398,042 Impairment (3,319 ) Purchase accounting adjustments 9,977 Acquisition 11,110 Currency translation adjustments (2,632 ) Goodwill, balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 413,178 The following table summarizes the intangible assets of the Company by major class of intangible assets and the cost, accumulated amortization, net carrying amount, and weighted average life, if applicable (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Weighted Weighted Average Average Gross Net Useful Gross Net Useful Carrying Accumulated Carrying Life Carrying Accumulated Carrying Life Amount Amortization Amount (years) Amount Amortization Amount (years) Intangible assets subject to amortization Customer relationships and other intangibles $ 138,864 $ (48,659 ) $ 90,205 16 $ 125,761 $ (41,123 ) $ 84,638 16 Non-compete agreements 4,650 (3,260 ) 1,390 4 4,672 (2,364 ) 2,308 4 Trademarks 12,833 (3,268 ) 9,565 14 14,428 (1,716 ) 12,712 13 Total $ 156,347 $ (55,187 ) $ 101,160 $ 144,861 $ (45,203 ) $ 99,658 Intangible assets not subject to amortization Trademarks 1,600 - 1,600 n/a 12,300 - 12,300 n/a Total $ 157,947 $ (55,187 ) $ 102,760 $ 157,161 $ (45,203 ) $ 111,958 In the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $10.2 million to write-down the trademarks of ORS Nasco and certain OKI brands to their fair value related to the corporate name change that was effective June 1, 2015. This impairment charge was recorded in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses.” The Company utilized the discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of these trademarks based upon management’s current forecasted future revenues from the trademarks. The trademarks had a total value of $0.5 million at September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes the amortization expense to be incurred in 2015 and over the next four years on intangible assets (in thousands): Year Amount 2015 $ 15,156 2016 13,113 2017 10,956 2018 8,088 2019 6,953

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) by component, net of tax, for the period ended September 30, 2015 was as follows (amounts in thousands): Foreign Currency Translation Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plans Total AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2014 $ (11,923 ) $ 274 $ (51,142 ) $ (62,791 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (8,056 ) (1,291 ) - (9,347 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 11,132 655 2,831 14,618 Net other comprehensive (loss) income 3,076 (636 ) 2,831 5,271 AOCI, balance as of September 30, 2015 $ (8,847 ) $ (362 ) $ (48,311 ) $ (57,520 ) The following table details the amounts reclassified out of AOCI into the income statement during the three-month and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2015, respectively (in thousands): Amount Reclassified From AOCI For the Three For the Nine Months Ended Months Ended September 30, September 30, Affected Line Item In The Statement Details About AOCI Components 2015 2015 Where Net Income is Presented Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, before tax $ 349 $ 1,052 Interest expense, net Gain on foreign exchange hedge, before tax 4 4 Cost of goods sold (134 ) (401 ) Tax provision $ 219 $ 655 Net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Disposition of Azerty de Mexico $ 11,132 $ 11,132 Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses Defined benefit pension plan items Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized loss $ 1,573 $ 4,623 Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses (610 ) (1,792 ) Tax provision 963 2,831 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax $ 12,314 $ 14,618

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	8. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities were exercised into common stock. Stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units are considered dilutive securities. For the three-month period ending September 30, 2015, 0.4 million shares of such securities were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be antidilutive. For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2015, no shares of securities were excluded from the computation. For the three-month and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2014, 0.5 million shares of such securities, were not included because the effect would be antidilutive. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator: Net income $ 27,667 $ 40,231 $ 51,492 $ 90,045 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares 37,300 38,450 37,724 38,817 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted stock 308 434 385 427 Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities 37,608 38,884 38,109 39,244 Net income per share: Net income per share - basic $ 0.74 $ 1.05 $ 1.36 $ 2.32 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.74 $ 1.03 $ 1.35 $ 2.29 Common Stock Repurchases As of December 31, 2014, the Company had Board authorization to repurchase $42.4 million of common stock. In February 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase an additional $100.0 million of common stock. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company repurchased 744,081 and 283,283 shares of the Company’s common stock at an aggregate cost of $25.9 million and $11.4 million, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company repurchased 1,525,222 and 1,074,574 shares of the Company’s common stock at an aggregate cost of $57.4 million and $43.0 million, respectively. Depending on market and business conditions and other factors, the Company may continue or suspend purchasing its common stock at any time without notice. Acquired shares are included in the issued shares of the Company and treasury stock, but are not included in average shares outstanding when calculating earnings per share data. During the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, the Company reissued 369,591 and 225,783 shares, respectively, of treasury stock to fulfill its obligations under its equity incentive plans.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	9. Debt ESND is a holding company and, as a result, its primary sources of funds are cash generated from operating activities of its direct operating subsidiary, Essendant Co., and from borrowings by Essendant Co. The 2013 Credit Agreement, the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, and the Receivables Securitization Program (each as defined in Note 9 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014) restrict Essendant Co.’s ability to transfer cash to ESND. Debt consisted of the following amounts (in millions): As of As of September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 2013 Credit Agreement $ 318.5 $ 363.0 2013 Note Purchase Agreement 150.0 150.0 Receivables Securitization Program 200.0 200.0 Mortgage & Capital Lease 0.1 0.9 Transaction Costs (2.4 ) (3.1 ) Total $ 666.2 $ 710.8 As of September 30, 2015, 77.6% of the Company’s outstanding debt, excluding capital leases and transaction costs, was priced at variable interest rates based primarily on the applicable bank prime rate or London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $11.1 million under the 2013 Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement bear interest at LIBOR for specified interest periods or at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, a margin determined based on the Company’s permitted debt to EBITDA ratio calculated as provided in Section 6.20 of the 2013 Credit Agreement (the “Leverage Ratio”). Depending on the Company’s Leverage Ratio, the margin on LIBOR-based loans ranges from 1.00% to 2.00% and on Alternate Base Rate loans ranges from 0% to 1.00%. As of September 30, 2015, the applicable margin for LIBOR-based loans was 1.375% and for Alternate Base Rate loans was 0.375%. Essendant Co. is required to pay the lenders a fee on the unutilized portion of the commitments under the 2013 Credit Agreement at a rate per annum between 0.15% and 0.35%, depending on the Company’s Leverage Ratio. On June 26, 2015, the Company and its subsidiaries Essendant Co., Essendant Financial Services LLC (“EFS") and Essendant Receivables LLC ("ESR") entered into a Third Omnibus Amendment to Transaction Documents (the “Omnibus Amendment”) with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch ("BTMU") and PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”). The Omnibus Agreement amended the transaction documents of the Receivable Securitization Program to reflect rebranded legal entity names. On June 29, 2015, Lagasse, LLC, a subsidiary of Essendant Co. merged into Essendant Co. All accounts receivable originated by Lagasse prior to the merger are excluded from the Program. The Omnibus Agreement amended the Transaction Documents to also exclude “Excluded Receivables” from the Receivables Securitization Program, which are defined as “any receivable which, at the time of such Receivable’s origination, was processed on the [enterprise resource planning system previously used by Lagasse, LLC].” As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $414.2 million and $360.3 million, respectively, of receivables had been sold to the Investors (as defined in Note 9 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014). ESR had $200.0 million outstanding under the Receivables Securitization Program as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. For additional information about the 2013 Credit Agreement, the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, and the Receivables Securitization Program, see Note 9 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Pension and Post-Retirement Ben

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans	10. Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans The Company maintains pension plans covering union and certain non-union employees. For more information on the Company’s retirement plans, see Note 11 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. A summary of net periodic pension cost related to the Company’s pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (dollars in thousands): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost - benefit earned during the period $ 321 $ 147 $ 1,121 $ 802 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 2,208 2,235 6,748 6,720 Expected return on plan assets (2,803 ) (2,599 ) (8,413 ) (7,714 ) Amortization of prior service cost 72 47 222 137 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,501 945 4,401 2,755 Net periodic pension cost $ 1,299 $ 775 $ 4,079 $ 2,700 The Company made cash contributions of $2.0 million to its pension plans during each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. Additional contributions, if any, for 2015 have not yet been determined. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Company had accrued $47.8 million and $50.3 million of pension liability within “Other long-term liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Defined Contribution Plan The Company has defined contribution plans covering certain salaried associates and non-union hourly paid associates (the “Plan”). The Plan permits associates to defer a portion of their pre-tax and after-tax salary as contributions to the Plan. The Plan also provides for Company-funded discretionary contributions as well as matching associates’ salary deferral contributions, at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company recorded expense of $1.5 million and $4.4 million for the Company match of employee contributions to the Plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the same periods last year, the Company recorded expense of $1.4 million and $4.2 million to match employee contributions.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	11. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Under Company policy, the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. A description of each type of derivative utilized by the Company to manage risk is included in the following paragraphs. The Company selectively uses interest rate swaps to reduce market risk associated with changes in interest rates for its debt arrangements. In July 2012, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to convert a portion of the Company’s floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. The fair value is determined by using quoted market forward rates (level 2 inputs) and reflect the present value of the amount that the Company would pay for contracts involving the same notional amounts and maturity dates. The changes in fair value of this instrument is reported in AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same financial statement line item and in the same periods during which the related interest payments on the hedged debt affect earnings. This swap matures in July 2017. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company's interest rate swap included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a component of “Other long-term liabilities” was $1.3 million and $0.3 million respectively. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company implemented a foreign currency cash flow hedge program in order to manage the volatility in exchange rates and the related impacts on the operations of its Canadian functional currency subsidiaries. The Company uses foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge certain of its foreign exchange rate exposures related to inventory purchases. The Company has currently hedged approximately 50%, or $5.6 million, of its Canadian subsidiaries’ US dollar denominated inventory purchases for the next two quarters. The fair value is determined by using quoted market spot rates (level 2 inputs). The changes in fair value of ASC 815 designated hedges are reported in AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same financial statement line item and in the same periods during which the related inventory is sold and affects earnings. The following table depicts the effect of these derivative instruments on the statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands). Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Interest Rate Swap $ 86 $ 361 Interest expense, net $ 329 $ 991 Foreign Exchange Hedges 55 55 Cost of goods sold 4 4 Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Interest Rate Swap $ 748 $ (1 ) Interest expense, net $ 281 $ 281

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	12. Fair Value Measurements The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities, including interest rate swap and foreign currency derivatives, at fair value on a recurring basis, based on market rates of the Company’s positions and other observable interest rates (see Note 11 “Derivative Financial Instruments”, for more information on these interest rate swaps and foreign currency derivatives). Accounting guidance on fair value establishes a hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value which distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels: 1. Level 1—Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; 2. Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and 3. Level 3—Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company which reflect those that a market participant would use. Determining which level to apply to an asset or liability requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures each quarter. The following table summarizes the financial instruments measured at fair value in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2015 Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Foreign exchange hedge $ 50 $ - $ 50 $ - Liabilities Interest rate swap liability $ 1,260 $ - $ 1,260 $ - Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Liabilities Interest rate swap liability $ 253 $ - $ 253 $ - The carrying amount of accounts receivable at September 30, 2015, including $414.2 million of receivables sold under the Receivables Securitization Program, approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of this item. No assets or liabilities were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Other Assets and Liabilities

Other Assets and Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Assets and Liabilities	13. Other Assets and Liabilities Receivables related to supplier allowances totaling $102.4 million and $124.4 million were included in “Accounts receivable” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Accrued customer rebates of $60.9 million and $63.2 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were included in “Accrued liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In December 2014, the Company sold its software solutions subsidiary in exchange for a combination of cash and convertible and non-convertible notes (the “Notes”). Based upon a financial analysis that included information available through the end of the third quarter, the Company determined it was probable, within the scope of ASC 450-20-25-2(a) Contingencies

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	14. Income Taxes The Company's tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded income tax expense of $20.0 million and $42.6 million on pre-tax income of $47.7 million and $94.1 million, for an effective tax rate of 42.0% and 45.3%, respectively. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded income tax expense of $23.6 million and $53.3 million on pre-tax income of $63.9 million and $143.4 million, respectively, for an effective tax rate of 37.0% and 37.2%, respectively. The Company's U.S. statutory rate is 35.0%. The most significant factors impacting the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were the discrete tax impacts of the impairment charges and the establishment of a valuation allowance on a capital loss asset for financial reporting purposes related to selling a non-strategic business in the third quarter. There were no significant discrete items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Legal Matters

Legal Matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Matters	15. Legal Matters The Company has been named as a defendant in an action filed before the United States District Court for the Central District of California on May 1, 2015. The complaint alleges that the Company sent unsolicited fax advertisements to two named plaintiffs, as well as thousands of other persons and entities, in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, as amended by the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005 ("TCPA"). After filing the complaint, the plaintiff filed a motion asking the Court to certify a class of plaintiffs comprised of persons and entities who allegedly received fax advertisements from the Company. Under the TCPA, recipients of unsolicited fax advertisements can seek damages of $500 per fax for inadvertent violations and up to $1,500 per fax for knowing and willful violations. Other reported TCPA lawsuits have resulted in a broad range of outcomes, with each case being dependent on its own unique set of facts and circumstances. The Company is vigorously contesting class certification and liability. Litigation of this kind, however, is likely to lead to settlement negotiations, including negotiations prompted by pre-trial civil court procedures. Regardless of whether the litigation is resolved at trial or through settlement, the Company believes that a loss associated with resolution of pending claims is probable. However, the amount of any such loss, which could be material, cannot be reasonably estimated because the Company is continuing to evaluate its defenses based on its internal review and investigation of prior events, new information and future circumstances. The Company is also involved in other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of or incidental to its business. The Company has established reserves, which are not material, for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from those proceedings. In many cases, however, it is difficult to determine whether a loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated. The Company believes that such ordinary course legal proceedings will be resolved with no material adverse effect upon its financial condition or results of operations.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy	The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements represent Essendant Inc. (“ESND”) (formerly known as United Stationers Inc.) with its wholly owned subsidiary Essendant Co. (formerly known as United Stationers Supply Co.), and Essendant Co.’s subsidiaries (collectively, “Essendant” or the “Company”). The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the accounts of ESND and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company operates in a single reportable segment as a leading distributor of workplace essentials. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014, was derived from the December 31, 2014 audited financial statements with certain line items being restated for changes in accounting principles. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principles,” for additional details. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, the reader of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for further information. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Essendant at September 30, 2015 and the results of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 should not necessarily be taken as indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire year.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-16, “ Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (Topic 805): Business Combinations, In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, “ Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement” In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue from Contracts with Customers,
Inventory	Inventory Approximately 99% and 98% of total inventory as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, has been valued under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs, and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. Inventory valued under the LIFO accounting method is recorded at the lower of cost or market. If the Company had valued its entire inventory under the lower of first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost or market, inventory would have been $147.5 million and $139.6 million higher than reported as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company elected a change in accounting principle to change the valuation method for certain inventories. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principles,” for further details.
Contingencies	Based upon a financial analysis that included information available through the end of the third quarter, the Company determined it was probable, within the scope of ASC 450-20-25-2(a) Contingencies

Change in Accounting Principl23

Change in Accounting Principles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Summary of adjustments made to the consolidated financial statements	The impact of all adjustments made to the consolidated financial statements presented is summarized in the following tables (in thousands, except per share data): Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold (A) $ 4,516,704 $ 4,524,676 $ 7,972 $ 4,295,715 $ 4,297,952 $ 2,237 $ 4,305,502 $ 4,303,778 $ (1,724 ) Gross profit (A) 810,501 802,529 (7,972 ) 789,578 787,341 (2,237 ) 774,604 776,328 1,724 Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses (A) 592,050 595,673 3,623 580,428 580,141 (287 ) 573,693 573,645 (48 ) Income before income taxes (A) 194,483 182,888 (11,595 ) 197,510 195,560 (1,950 ) 177,635 179,407 1,772 Income tax expense (A) 75,285 70,773 (4,512 ) 74,340 73,507 (833 ) 65,805 66,526 721 Net income (A) 119,198 112,115 (7,083 ) 123,170 122,053 (1,117 ) 111,830 112,881 1,051 Net income per share (A) Basic (A) $ 3.08 $ 2.90 $ (0.18 ) $ 3.11 $ 3.08 $ (0.03 ) $ 2.77 $ 2.80 $ 0.03 Diluted (A) $ 3.05 $ 2.87 $ (0.18 ) $ 3.06 $ 3.03 $ (0.03 ) $ 2.73 $ 2.75 $ 0.02 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income (A) $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) $ 123,170 $ 122,053 $ (1,117 ) $ 111,830 $ 112,881 $ 1,051 Comprehensive income (A) 96,295 89,212 (7,083 ) 137,047 135,930 (1,117 ) 114,471 115,522 1,051 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Inventories (A) $ 926,809 $ 906,430 $ (20,379 ) $ 830,295 $ 821,511 $ (8,784 ) $ 767,206 $ 760,372 $ (6,834 ) Other current assets (A) 30,042 30,713 671 29,255 29,255 - 30,118 30,118 - Other long-term assets (B) 41,810 38,669 (3,141 ) 25,576 22,185 (3,391 ) 20,260 17,737 (2,523 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 192,792 185,535 (7,257 ) 191,531 188,115 (3,416 ) 205,228 202,645 (2,583 ) Long-term debt (B) 713,058 709,917 (3,141 ) 533,324 529,933 (3,391 ) 524,376 521,853 (2,523 ) Retained earnings (A) 1,541,675 1,529,224 (12,451 ) 1,444,238 1,438,870 (5,368 ) 1,343,437 1,339,186 (4,251 ) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income (A) $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) $ 123,170 $ 122,053 $ (1,117 ) $ 111,830 $ 112,881 $ 1,051 Deferred income taxes (A) (6,367 ) (10,879 ) (4,512 ) (3,921 ) (4,754 ) (833 ) (6,713 ) (5,992 ) 721 Inventories (A) (30,319 ) (18,724 ) 11,595 (66,627 ) (64,677 ) 1,950 10,374 8,602 (1,772 ) Cash provided by operating activities (A) 77,133 77,133 - 74,737 74,737 - 189,814 189,814 - Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings at beginning of year (A) $ 1,444,238 $ 1,438,870 $ (5,368 ) $ 1,343,437 $ 1,339,186 $ (4,251 ) $ 1,253,118 $ 1,247,816 $ (5,302 ) Retained earnings at end of year (A) 1,541,675 1,529,224 (12,451 ) 1,444,238 1,438,870 (5,368 ) 1,343,437 1,339,186 (4,251 ) (A) Change related to Inventory Valuation (B) Change related to Debt Issuance Costs As of and for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold (A) $ 1,129,737 $ 1,131,680 $ 1,943 $ 1,127,925 $ 1,131,980 $ 4,055 Gross profit (A) 212,062 210,119 (1,943 ) 204,450 200,395 (4,055 ) Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses (A) 158,159 156,912 (1,247 ) 198,372 197,581 (791 ) Income before income taxes (A) 49,125 48,429 (696 ) 1,239 (2,025 ) (3,264 ) Income tax expense (A) 18,864 18,595 (269 ) 5,231 3,982 (1,249 ) Net income (loss) (A) 30,261 29,834 (427 ) (3,992 ) (6,007 ) (2,015 ) Net income (loss) per share (A) Basic (A) $ 0.80 $ 0.79 $ (0.01 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (0.16 ) $ (0.06 ) Diluted (A) $ 0.79 $ 0.78 $ (0.01 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (0.16 ) $ (0.06 ) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income (loss) (A) $ 30,261 $ 29,834 $ (427 ) $ (3,992 ) $ (6,007 ) $ (2,015 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (A) 31,450 31,023 (427 ) (8,166 ) (10,181 ) (2,015 ) Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Inventories (A) $ 875,465 $ 851,126 $ (24,339 ) $ 871,310 $ 847,667 $ (23,643 ) Other current assets (A) 29,595 30,344 749 31,226 31,977 751 Other long-term assets (B) 48,439 45,779 (2,660 ) 49,440 46,535 (2,905 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 190,257 181,560 (8,697 ) 175,770 167,344 (8,426 ) Long-term debt (B) 661,143 658,483 (2,660 ) 684,238 681,333 (2,905 ) Retained earnings (A) 1,557,281 1,542,388 (14,893 ) 1,532,325 1,517,859 (14,466 ) For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income (loss) (A) $ 26,269 $ 23,827 $ (2,442 ) $ (3,992 ) $ (6,007 ) $ (2,015 ) Deferred income taxes (A) (8,365 ) (8,294 ) 71 (1,858 ) (1,469 ) 389 Inventories (A) 44,984 48,944 3,960 42,759 46,023 3,264 Other assets (A) (10,173 ) (10,250 ) (77 ) (10,126 ) (10,751 ) (625 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 4,794 3,282 (1,512 ) (16,521 ) (17,534 ) (1,013 ) Cash provided by operating activities (A) 120,848 120,848 - 62,722 62,722 - (A) Change related to Inventory Valuation (B) Change related to Debt Issuance Costs As of and for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 As of and for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold (A) $ 1,208,919 $ 1,203,246 $ (5,673 ) $ 1,120,577 $ 1,124,485 $ 3,908 $ 1,067,056 $ 1,073,261 $ 6,205 Gross profit (A) 211,028 216,701 5,673 199,460 195,552 (3,908 ) 187,083 180,878 (6,205 ) Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses (A) 146,560 148,831 2,271 142,186 142,870 684 148,849 146,837 (2,012 ) Income before income taxes (A) 60,476 63,878 3,402 53,441 48,849 (4,592 ) 34,860 30,667 (4,193 ) Income tax expense (A) 22,307 23,647 1,340 20,110 18,327 (1,783 ) 13,003 11,375 (1,628 ) Net income (A) 38,169 40,231 2,062 33,331 30,522 (2,809 ) 21,857 19,292 (2,565 ) Net income per share (A) Basic (A) $ 0.99 $ 1.05 $ 0.06 $ 0.86 $ 0.79 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.56 $ 0.49 $ (0.07 ) Diluted (A) $ 0.98 $ 1.03 $ 0.05 $ 0.85 $ 0.78 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.55 $ 0.49 $ (0.06 ) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income (A) $ 38,169 $ 40,231 $ 2,062 $ 33,331 $ 30,522 $ (2,809 ) $ 21,857 $ 19,292 $ (2,565 ) Comprehensive income (A) 37,826 39,888 2,062 33,847 31,038 (2,809 ) 21,734 19,169 (2,565 ) Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Inventories (A) $ 796,325 $ 782,158 $ (14,167 ) $ 804,395 $ 786,826 $ (17,569 ) $ 748,499 $ 735,522 $ (12,977 ) Other long-term assets (B) 24,372 21,197 (3,175 ) 26,059 22,662 (3,397 ) 27,170 23,459 (3,711 ) Accrued liabilities (A) 189,224 183,737 (5,487 ) 187,414 180,587 (6,827 ) 177,251 172,207 (5,044 ) Long-term debt (B) 545,009 541,834 (3,175 ) 542,410 539,013 (3,397 ) 561,511 557,800 (3,711 ) Retained earnings (A) 1,521,230 1,512,550 (8,680 ) 1,488,469 1,477,727 (10,742 ) 1,460,582 1,452,649 (7,933 ) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income (A) $ 93,357 $ 90,045 $ (3,312 ) $ 55,188 $ 49,814 $ (5,374 ) $ 21,857 $ 19,292 $ (2,565 ) Deferred income taxes (A) (7,618 ) (9,134 ) (1,516 ) (5,317 ) (6,381 ) (1,064 ) (2,450 ) (2,437 ) 13 Inventories (A) 46,591 51,974 5,383 39,290 48,075 8,785 81,714 85,907 4,193 Accrued liabilities (A) 3,438 2,883 (555 ) (1,106 ) (3,453 ) (2,347 ) (13,654 ) (15,295 ) (1,641 ) Cash provided by operating activities (A) 93,666 93,666 - 78,889 78,889 - 1,490 1,490 - (A) Change related to Inventory Valuation (B) Change related to Debt Issuance Costs

Acquisitions and Dispositions (

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Purchase Price Allocation	At September 30, 2015, the allocations of the purchase prices were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO MEDCO Nestor (Final) (Preliminary) (Preliminary) Purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 32,225 $ 145,873 $ 39,939 Accounts receivable (2,956 ) (44,815 ) (9,230 ) Inventories (13,051 ) (55,491 ) (10,442 ) Other current assets (269 ) (1,299 ) (339 ) Property, plant and equipment, net (488 ) (4,408 ) (1,251 ) Other assets - (650 ) (752 ) Intangible assets (12,800 ) (40,000 ) (17,670 ) Total assets acquired (29,564 ) (146,663 ) (39,684 ) Accounts payable 16,911 32,383 4,992 Accrued liabilities 2,580 5,542 1,912 Deferred income taxes 3,453 2,716 3,875 Other long-term liabilities 90 52 76 Total liabilities assumed 23,034 40,693 10,855 Goodwill $ 25,695 $ 39,903 $ 11,110
Summary of Purchased Identifiable Intangible Assets	The purchased identifiable intangible assets were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO (Final) MEDCO (Preliminary) Nestor (Preliminary) Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Customer relationships $ 5,200 3 years $ 37,590 3-15 years $ 16,890 13 years Trademark 7,600 15 years 2,410 1.5-15 years 780 2.5-15 years Total $ 12,800 $ 40,000 $ 17,670

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are noted in the following table (in thousands): Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 398,042 Impairment (3,319 ) Purchase accounting adjustments 9,977 Acquisition 11,110 Currency translation adjustments (2,632 ) Goodwill, balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 413,178
Summary of Intangible Assets of Company by Major Class	The following table summarizes the intangible assets of the Company by major class of intangible assets and the cost, accumulated amortization, net carrying amount, and weighted average life, if applicable (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Weighted Weighted Average Average Gross Net Useful Gross Net Useful Carrying Accumulated Carrying Life Carrying Accumulated Carrying Life Amount Amortization Amount (years) Amount Amortization Amount (years) Intangible assets subject to amortization Customer relationships and other intangibles $ 138,864 $ (48,659 ) $ 90,205 16 $ 125,761 $ (41,123 ) $ 84,638 16 Non-compete agreements 4,650 (3,260 ) 1,390 4 4,672 (2,364 ) 2,308 4 Trademarks 12,833 (3,268 ) 9,565 14 14,428 (1,716 ) 12,712 13 Total $ 156,347 $ (55,187 ) $ 101,160 $ 144,861 $ (45,203 ) $ 99,658 Intangible assets not subject to amortization Trademarks 1,600 - 1,600 n/a 12,300 - 12,300 n/a Total $ 157,947 $ (55,187 ) $ 102,760 $ 157,161 $ (45,203 ) $ 111,958
Summary of Amortization Expense to be Incurred Over Next Four Years on Intangible Assets	The following table summarizes the amortization expense to be incurred in 2015 and over the next four years on intangible assets (in thousands): Year Amount 2015 $ 15,156 2016 13,113 2017 10,956 2018 8,088 2019 6,953

Accumulated Other Comprehensi26

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI) by Component, Net of Tax	The change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) by component, net of tax, for the period ended September 30, 2015 was as follows (amounts in thousands): Foreign Currency Translation Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plans Total AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2014 $ (11,923 ) $ 274 $ (51,142 ) $ (62,791 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (8,056 ) (1,291 ) - (9,347 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 11,132 655 2,831 14,618 Net other comprehensive (loss) income 3,076 (636 ) 2,831 5,271 AOCI, balance as of September 30, 2015 $ (8,847 ) $ (362 ) $ (48,311 ) $ (57,520 )
Amounts Reclassified Out of AOCI into Income Statement	The following table details the amounts reclassified out of AOCI into the income statement during the three-month and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2015, respectively (in thousands): Amount Reclassified From AOCI For the Three For the Nine Months Ended Months Ended September 30, September 30, Affected Line Item In The Statement Details About AOCI Components 2015 2015 Where Net Income is Presented Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, before tax $ 349 $ 1,052 Interest expense, net Gain on foreign exchange hedge, before tax 4 4 Cost of goods sold (134 ) (401 ) Tax provision $ 219 $ 655 Net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Disposition of Azerty de Mexico $ 11,132 $ 11,132 Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses Defined benefit pension plan items Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized loss $ 1,573 $ 4,623 Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses (610 ) (1,792 ) Tax provision 963 2,831 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax $ 12,314 $ 14,618

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator: Net income $ 27,667 $ 40,231 $ 51,492 $ 90,045 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares 37,300 38,450 37,724 38,817 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted stock 308 434 385 427 Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities 37,608 38,884 38,109 39,244 Net income per share: Net income per share - basic $ 0.74 $ 1.05 $ 1.36 $ 2.32 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.74 $ 1.03 $ 1.35 $ 2.29

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Components	Debt consisted of the following amounts (in millions): As of As of September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 2013 Credit Agreement $ 318.5 $ 363.0 2013 Note Purchase Agreement 150.0 150.0 Receivables Securitization Program 200.0 200.0 Mortgage & Capital Lease 0.1 0.9 Transaction Costs (2.4 ) (3.1 ) Total $ 666.2 $ 710.8

Pension and Post-Retirement B29

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost	A summary of net periodic pension cost related to the Company’s pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (dollars in thousands): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost - benefit earned during the period $ 321 $ 147 $ 1,121 $ 802 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 2,208 2,235 6,748 6,720 Expected return on plan assets (2,803 ) (2,599 ) (8,413 ) (7,714 ) Amortization of prior service cost 72 47 222 137 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,501 945 4,401 2,755 Net periodic pension cost $ 1,299 $ 775 $ 4,079 $ 2,700

Derivative Financial Instrume30

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income Statement	The following table depicts the effect of these derivative instruments on the statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands). Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Interest Rate Swap $ 86 $ 361 Interest expense, net $ 329 $ 991 Foreign Exchange Hedges 55 55 Cost of goods sold 4 4 Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Interest Rate Swap $ 748 $ (1 ) Interest expense, net $ 281 $ 281

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	The following table summarizes the financial instruments measured at fair value in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2015 Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Foreign exchange hedge $ 50 $ - $ 50 $ - Liabilities Interest rate swap liability $ 1,260 $ - $ 1,260 $ - Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Liabilities Interest rate swap liability $ 253 $ - $ 253 $ -

Basis of Presentation - Additio

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Percentage inventory valued under LIFO	99.00%	98.00%
Higher inventory if FIFO applied entirely	$ 147.5	$ 139.6

Changes in Accounting Principle

Changes in Accounting Principles - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Increase decrease in the cost of goods sold due to LIFO accounting method	$ 4.2
Increase decrease in the net income due to LIFO accounting method	$ 2.3
Increase decrease in the net income due to LIFO accounting method per diluted share | $ / shares	$ 0.06

Changes in Accounting Princip34

Changes in Accounting Principles - Summary of adjustments made to the consolidated financial statements (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statement of Income
Cost of goods sold	$ 1,166,402	$ 1,131,680	$ 1,131,980	$ 1,203,246	$ 1,124,485	$ 1,073,261			$ 3,430,062	$ 3,400,992	$ 4,524,676	$ 4,297,952	$ 4,303,778
Gross profit	225,143	210,119	200,395	216,701	195,552	180,878			635,657	593,131	802,529	787,341	776,328
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses	172,159	156,912	197,581	148,831	142,870	146,837			526,653	438,538	595,673	580,141	573,645
Income before income taxes	47,684	48,429	(2,025)	63,878	48,849	30,667			94,086	143,394	182,888	195,560	179,407
Income tax expense	20,017	18,595	3,982	23,647	18,327	11,375			42,594	53,349	70,773	73,507	66,526
Net income	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 40,231	$ 30,522	$ 19,292	$ 23,827	$ 49,814	$ 51,492	$ 90,045	$ 112,115	$ 122,053	$ 112,881
Basic	$ 0.74	$ 0.79	$ (0.16)	$ 1.05	$ 0.79	$ 0.49			$ 1.36	$ 2.32	$ 2.90	$ 3.08	$ 2.80
Diluted	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ (0.16)	$ 1.03	$ 0.78	$ 0.49			$ 1.35	$ 2.29	$ 2.87	$ 3.03	$ 2.75
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 40,231	$ 30,522	$ 19,292	23,827	49,814	$ 51,492	$ 90,045	$ 112,115	$ 122,053	$ 112,881
Comprehensive income (loss)	35,923	31,023	(10,181)	39,888	31,038	19,169			56,763	90,095	89,212	135,930	115,522
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Inventories														$ 860,355	$ 851,126	$ 847,667	$ 906,430	$ 782,158	$ 786,826	$ 735,522	$ 821,511	$ 760,372
Other current assets														31,946	30,344	31,977	30,713				29,255	30,118
Other long-term assets														36,282	45,779	46,535	38,669	21,197	22,662	23,459	22,185	17,737
Accrued liabilities														186,826	181,560	167,344	185,535	183,737	180,587	172,207	188,115	202,645
Long-term debt														666,142	658,483	681,333	709,917	541,834	539,013	557,800	529,933	521,853
Retained earnings	1,564,816	1,542,388	1,529,224	1,512,550	1,477,727	1,438,870	1,529,224	1,438,870	1,564,816	1,438,870	1,529,224	1,438,870	1,339,186	$ 1,564,816	1,542,388	1,517,859	1,529,224	1,512,550	1,477,727	1,452,649	1,438,870	1,339,186
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Net income	27,667	29,834	(6,007)	40,231	30,522	19,292	23,827	49,814	51,492	90,045	112,115	122,053	112,881
Deferred income taxes			(1,469)			(2,437)	(8,294)	(6,381)	(15,285)	(9,134)	(10,879)	(4,754)	(5,992)
Inventories			46,023			85,907	48,944	48,075	54,354	51,974	(18,724)	(64,677)	8,602
Cash provided by operating activities			62,722			1,490	120,848	78,889	183,659	93,666	77,133	74,737	189,814
(Increase) decrease in other assets			(10,751)				(10,250)		(8,720)	10,000
Accrued liabilities			(17,534)			(15,295)	3,282	(3,453)	6,500	2,883
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings at beginning of year	1,542,388	1,517,859	1,529,224	1,477,727	1,452,649	1,438,870	1,529,224	1,438,870	1,529,224	1,438,870	1,438,870	1,339,186	1,247,816
Retained earnings at end of year	1,564,816	1,542,388	1,517,859	1,512,550	1,477,727	1,452,649	1,542,388	1,477,727	1,564,816	1,512,550	1,529,224	1,438,870	1,339,186
Previous Method [Member]
Consolidated Statement of Income
Cost of goods sold		1,129,737	1,127,925	1,208,919	1,120,577	1,067,056					4,516,704	4,295,715	4,305,502
Gross profit		212,062	204,450	211,028	199,460	187,083					810,501	789,578	774,604
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses		158,159	198,372	146,560	142,186	148,849					592,050	580,428	573,693
Income before income taxes		49,125	1,239	60,476	53,441	34,860					194,483	197,510	177,635
Income tax expense		18,864	5,231	22,307	20,110	13,003					75,285	74,340	65,805
Net income		$ 30,261	$ (3,992)	$ 38,169	$ 33,331	$ 21,857	26,269	55,188		93,357	$ 119,198	$ 123,170	$ 111,830
Basic		$ 0.80	$ (0.10)	$ 0.99	$ 0.86	$ 0.56					$ 3.08	$ 3.11	$ 2.77
Diluted		$ 0.79	$ (0.10)	$ 0.98	$ 0.85	$ 0.55					$ 3.05	$ 3.06	$ 2.73
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income		$ 30,261	$ (3,992)	$ 38,169	$ 33,331	$ 21,857	26,269	55,188		93,357	$ 119,198	$ 123,170	$ 111,830
Comprehensive income (loss)		31,450	(8,166)	37,826	33,847	21,734					96,295	137,047	114,471
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Inventories															875,465	871,310	926,809	796,325	804,395	748,499	830,295	767,206
Other current assets															29,595	31,226	30,042				29,255	30,118
Other long-term assets															48,439	49,440	41,810	24,372	26,059	27,170	25,576	20,260
Accrued liabilities															190,257	175,770	192,792	189,224	187,414	177,251	191,531	205,228
Long-term debt															661,143	684,238	713,058	545,009	542,410	561,511	533,324	524,376
Retained earnings	1,557,281	1,557,281	1,541,675	1,521,230	1,488,469	1,444,238	1,541,675	1,444,238	1,541,675	1,444,238	1,541,675	1,444,238	1,343,437		1,557,281	1,532,325	1,541,675	1,521,230	1,488,469	1,460,582	1,444,238	1,343,437
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Net income		30,261	(3,992)	38,169	33,331	21,857	26,269	55,188		93,357	119,198	123,170	111,830
Deferred income taxes			(1,858)			(2,450)	(8,365)	(5,317)		(7,618)	(6,367)	(3,921)	(6,713)
Inventories			42,759			81,714	44,984	39,290		46,591	(30,319)	(66,627)	10,374
Cash provided by operating activities			62,722			1,490	120,848	78,889		93,666	77,133	74,737	189,814
(Increase) decrease in other assets			(10,126)				(10,173)
Accrued liabilities			(16,521)			(13,654)	4,794	(1,106)		3,438
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings at beginning of year	1,557,281	1,532,325	1,541,675	1,488,469	1,460,582	1,444,238	1,541,675	1,444,238	1,541,675	1,444,238	1,444,238	1,343,437	1,253,118
Retained earnings at end of year		1,557,281	1,532,325	1,521,230	1,488,469	1,460,582	1,557,281	1,488,469		1,521,230	1,541,675	1,444,238	1,343,437
Effect Of Change [Member]
Consolidated Statement of Income
Cost of goods sold		1,943	4,055	(5,673)	3,908	6,205					7,972	2,237	(1,724)
Gross profit		(1,943)	(4,055)	5,673	(3,908)	(6,205)					(7,972)	(2,237)	1,724
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses		(1,247)	(791)	2,271	684	(2,012)					3,623	(287)	(48)
Income before income taxes		(696)	(3,264)	3,402	(4,592)	(4,193)					(11,595)	(1,950)	1,772
Income tax expense		(269)	(1,249)	1,340	(1,783)	(1,628)					(4,512)	(833)	721
Net income		$ (427)	$ (2,015)	$ 2,062	$ (2,809)	$ (2,565)	(2,442)	(5,374)		(3,312)	$ (7,083)	$ (1,117)	$ 1,051
Basic		$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.06	$ (0.07)	$ (0.07)					$ (0.18)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.03
Diluted		$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.05	$ (0.07)	$ (0.06)					$ (0.18)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income		$ (427)	$ (2,015)	$ 2,062	$ (2,809)	$ (2,565)	(2,442)	(5,374)		(3,312)	$ (7,083)	$ (1,117)	$ 1,051
Comprehensive income (loss)		(427)	(2,015)	2,062	(2,809)	(2,565)					(7,083)	(1,117)	1,051
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Inventories															(24,339)	(23,643)	(20,379)	(14,167)	(17,569)	(12,977)	(8,784)	(6,834)
Other current assets															749	751	671
Other long-term assets															(2,660)	(2,905)	(3,141)	(3,175)	(3,397)	(3,711)	(3,391)	(2,523)
Accrued liabilities															(8,697)	(8,426)	(7,257)	(5,487)	(6,827)	(5,044)	(3,416)	(2,583)
Long-term debt															(2,660)	(2,905)	(3,141)	(3,175)	(3,397)	(3,711)	(3,391)	(2,523)
Retained earnings	(14,893)	(14,893)	(12,451)	(8,680)	(10,742)	(5,368)	(12,451)	(5,368)	(12,451)	(5,368)	(12,451)	(5,368)	(4,251)		$ (14,893)	$ (14,466)	$ (12,451)	$ (8,680)	$ (10,742)	$ (7,933)	$ (5,368)	$ (4,251)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Net income		(427)	(2,015)	2,062	(2,809)	(2,565)	(2,442)	(5,374)		(3,312)	(7,083)	(1,117)	1,051
Deferred income taxes			389			13	71	(1,064)		(1,516)	(4,512)	(833)	721
Inventories			3,264			4,193	3,960	8,785		5,383	11,595	1,950	(1,772)
(Increase) decrease in other assets			(625)				(77)
Accrued liabilities			(1,013)			(1,641)	(1,512)	(2,347)		(555)
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings at beginning of year	$ (14,893)	(14,466)	(12,451)	(10,742)	(7,933)	(5,368)	(12,451)	(5,368)	$ (12,451)	(5,368)	(5,368)	(4,251)	(5,302)
Retained earnings at end of year		$ (14,893)	$ (14,466)	$ (8,680)	$ (10,742)	$ (7,933)	$ (14,893)	$ (10,742)		$ (8,680)	$ (12,451)	$ (5,368)	$ (4,251)

Acquisitions and Dispositions -

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 18, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	May. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of stock-sale of subsidiary	100.00%
Combination of cash and Seller's note	$ 8,700,000
Disposition of subsidiary, seller's note maturity term	180 days
Goodwill impairment									$ 3,319,000
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment, of the disposal group									10,100,000
Pre-tax impairment loss of the disposal group									10,100,000
Impairment charge									34,893,000
Loss on sale of asset disposal group									(1,500,000)
Pre-tax income (loss) from subsidiary					$ 900,000		$ (200,000)		(5,200,000)	$ 0
Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Impairment charge						$ 10,100,000
Estimated cost to sell						$ 100,000
Additional cost incurred during transaction								$ 1,400,000	$ 2,100,000
CPO Commerce, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition cash paid				$ 37,800,000
Business acquisition, fair value of contingent consideration				5,500,000
Business acquisition contingent consideration payments, range minimum				0
Business acquisition contingent consideration payments, range maximum				$ 10,000,000
Stock acquisition, percentage acquired				100.00%
MEDCO [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition cash paid			$ 150,400,000
Business acquisition, fair value of contingent consideration			4,700,000
Business acquisition contingent consideration payments, range minimum			0
Business acquisition contingent consideration payments, range maximum			$ 10,000,000
Stock acquisition, percentage acquired			100.00%
Amount reserved as a payable related to acquisition			$ 6,000,000
Business acquisition acquired entity indemnification payment period			18 months
Nestor Sales LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition cash paid		$ 41,800,000
Stock acquisition, percentage acquired		100.00%

Acquisitions and Dispositions36

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 413,178	$ 398,042
CPO (Final) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price, net of cash acquired	32,225
Accounts receivable	(2,956)
Inventories	(13,051)
Other current assets	(269)
Property, plant and equipment, net	(488)
Intangible assets	(12,800)
Total assets acquired	(29,564)
Accounts payable	16,911
Accrued liabilities	2,580
Deferred income taxes	3,453
Other long-term liabilities	90
Total liabilities assumed	23,034
Goodwill	25,695
MEDCO (Preliminary) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price, net of cash acquired	145,873
Accounts receivable	(44,815)
Inventories	(55,491)
Other current assets	(1,299)
Property, plant and equipment, net	(4,408)
Other assets	(650)
Intangible assets	(40,000)
Total assets acquired	(146,663)
Accounts payable	32,383
Accrued liabilities	5,542
Deferred income taxes	2,716
Other long-term liabilities	52
Total liabilities assumed	40,693
Goodwill	39,903
Nestor Sales LLC (Preliminary) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price, net of cash acquired	39,939
Accounts receivable	(9,230)
Inventories	(10,442)
Other current assets	(339)
Property, plant and equipment, net	(1,251)
Other assets	(752)
Intangible assets	(17,670)
Total assets acquired	(39,684)
Accounts payable	4,992
Accrued liabilities	1,912
Deferred income taxes	3,875
Other long-term liabilities	76
Total liabilities assumed	10,855
Goodwill	$ 11,110

Acquisitions and Dispositions37

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Summary of Purchased Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
CPO (Final) [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 12,800
MEDCO [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	40,000
Nestor Sales LLC (Preliminary) [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	17,670
Customer relationships [Member] | CPO (Final) [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 5,200
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	3 years
Customer relationships [Member] | MEDCO [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 37,590
Customer relationships [Member] | MEDCO [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	3 years
Customer relationships [Member] | MEDCO [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	15 years
Customer relationships [Member] | Nestor Sales LLC (Preliminary) [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 16,890
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	13 years
Trademarks [Member] | CPO (Final) [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 7,600
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	15 years
Trademarks [Member] | MEDCO [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 2,410
Trademarks [Member] | MEDCO [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	1 year 6 months
Trademarks [Member] | MEDCO [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	15 years
Trademarks [Member] | Nestor Sales LLC (Preliminary) [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 780
Trademarks [Member] | Nestor Sales LLC (Preliminary) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	2 years 6 months
Trademarks [Member] | Nestor Sales LLC (Preliminary) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	15 years

Share-Based Compensation - Addi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015Plansshares	Sep. 30, 2014shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of share-based compensation plans | Plans	2
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	440,948	229,477
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	162,092	176,717
Stock Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted	0	5,538

Severance and Restructuring C39

Severance and Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Facility Consolidations [Member] | Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax charge	$ 0.2		$ 1.5
Workforce Reduction And Facility Closure Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash outlays associated with severance			3
Accrued liabilities	3.1		3.1
Workforce Reduction And Facility Closure Program | Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax charge		$ 6
Facility Closure Cost [Member] | Workforce Reduction And Facility Closure Program
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, expected cost remaining	1.5		1.5
Restructuring and Related Cost, expected cost	$ 9		$ 9

Goodwill and Intangible Asset40

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2014	$ 398,042
Impairment	(3,319)
Purchase accounting adjustments	9,977
Acquisition	11,110
Currency translation adjustments	(2,632)
Goodwill, balance as of September 30, 2015	$ 413,178

Goodwill and Intangible Asset41

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets of Company by Major Class (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 156,347	$ 144,861
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(55,187)	(45,203)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	101,160	99,658
Intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	157,947	157,161
Intangible assets, Net Carrying Amount	102,760	111,958
Trademarks not subject to amortization [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	1,600	12,300
Customer relationships and other intangibles [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	138,864	125,761
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(48,659)	(41,123)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	$ 90,205	$ 84,638
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	16 years	16 years
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,650	$ 4,672
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(3,260)	(2,364)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,390	$ 2,308
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	4 years	4 years
Trademarks [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 12,833	$ 14,428
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(3,268)	(1,716)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	$ 9,565	$ 12,712
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	14 years	13 years

Goodwill and Intangible Asset42

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 10,200
Intangible assets net carrying amount		$ 101,160	$ 99,658
Impaired trademarks of ORS Nasco and certain OKI brands [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Intangible assets net carrying amount		$ 500

Goodwill and Intangible Asset43

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Amortization Expense to be Incurred Over Next Four Years on Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,015	$ 15,156
2,016	13,113
2,017	10,956
2,018	8,088
2,019	$ 6,953

Accumulated Other Comprehensi44

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI) by Component, Net of Tax (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2014	$ (62,791)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(9,347)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	14,618
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	5,271
AOCI, balance as of September 30, 2015	(57,520)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2014	(11,923)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(8,056)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	11,132
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	3,076
AOCI, balance as of September 30, 2015	(8,847)
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2014	274
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(1,291)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	655
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(636)
AOCI, balance as of September 30, 2015	(362)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2014	(51,142)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,831
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	2,831
AOCI, balance as of September 30, 2015	$ (48,311)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi45

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Amounts Reclassified Out of AOCI into Income Statement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 5,300			$ 3,992					$ 14,918	$ 11,199
Cost of goods sold	1,166,402	$ 1,131,680	$ 1,131,980	1,203,246	$ 1,124,485	$ 1,073,261			3,430,062	3,400,992	$ 4,524,676	$ 4,297,952	$ 4,303,778
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses	172,159	156,912	197,581	148,831	142,870	146,837			526,653	438,538	595,673	580,141	573,645
Tax provision	(20,017)	(18,595)	(3,982)	(23,647)	(18,327)	(11,375)			(42,594)	(53,349)	(70,773)	(73,507)	(66,526)
Net income	27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 40,231	$ 30,522	$ 19,292	$ 23,827	$ 49,814	51,492	$ 90,045	$ 112,115	$ 122,053	$ 112,881
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income	12,314								14,618
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	4								4
Tax provision	(134)								(401)
Net income	219								655
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses	11,132								11,132
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses	1,573								4,623
Tax provision	(610)								(1,792)
Net income	963								2,831
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 349								$ 1,052

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount	400,000	500,000	0	500,000
Additional authorized repurchase amount					$ 100	$ 42.4
Number of shares repurchased	744,081	283,283	1,525,222	1,074,574
Repurchase of common stock, value	$ 25.9	$ 11.4	$ 57.4	$ 43
Treasury stock reissued, shares			369,591	225,783

Earnings Per Share - Schedule o

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 40,231	$ 30,522	$ 19,292	$ 23,827	$ 49,814	$ 51,492	$ 90,045	$ 112,115	$ 122,053	$ 112,881
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	37,300			38,450					37,724	38,817
Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted stock	308			434					385	427
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities	37,608			38,884					38,109	39,244
Net income per share - basic:	$ 0.74	$ 0.79	$ (0.16)	$ 1.05	$ 0.79	$ 0.49			$ 1.36	$ 2.32	$ 2.90	$ 3.08	$ 2.80
Net income per share - diluted:	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ (0.16)	$ 1.03	$ 0.78	$ 0.49			$ 1.35	$ 2.29	$ 2.87	$ 3.03	$ 2.75

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term De

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt Components (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage & Capital Lease	$ 0.1	$ 0.9
Transaction Costs	(2.4)	(3.1)
Total	666.2	710.8
2013 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Agreement	318.5	363
2013 Note Purchase Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Note Purchase Agreement	150	150
Receivables Securitization Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Agreement	$ 200	$ 200

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding debt priced at variable interest rates	77.60%
Receivables sold to Investors	$ 414.2	$ 360.3
2013 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 11.1	11.1
LIBOR-based loans rates	1.375%
Alternate base rate loans rates	0.375%
Credit facility	$ 318.5	363
2013 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR-based loans rates	1.00%
Alternate base rate loans rates	0.00%
Percentage of lenders fee on unutilized portion borrowing facility	0.15%
2013 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR-based loans rates	2.00%
Alternate base rate loans rates	1.00%
Percentage of lenders fee on unutilized portion borrowing facility	0.35%
Receivables Securitization Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	$ 200	200
Receivables Securitization Program [Member] | ESR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	$ 200	$ 200

Pension and Post-Retirement B50

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans - Summary of Net Periodic Pension Cost Related to Pension Plans (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost - benefit earned during the period	$ 321	$ 147	$ 1,121	$ 802
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	2,208	2,235	6,748	6,720
Expected return on plan assets	(2,803)	(2,599)	(8,413)	(7,714)
Amortization of prior service cost	72	47	222	137
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,501	945	4,401	2,755
Net periodic pension cost	$ 1,299	$ 775	$ 4,079	$ 2,700

Pension and Post-Retirement B51

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash contribution to pension plan during the period			$ 2	$ 2
Pension plan liabilities	$ 47.8		47.8		$ 50.3
Company contributions	$ 1.5	$ 1.4	$ 4.4	$ 4.2

Derivative Financial Instrume52

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of hedged inventory on Canadian purchases	50.00%
Hedge on inventory purchase	$ 5,600
Interest rate swap assets	100
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swap liability	$ 1,300	$ 253
Derivative, maturity date	Jul. 31, 2017

Derivative Financial Instrume53

Derivative Financial Instruments - Schedule of Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income Statement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	$ 86	$ 748	$ 361	$ (1)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest expense, net [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	329	$ 281	991	$ 281
Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	55		55
Foreign Exchange Hedges [Member] | Cost of goods sold [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$ 4		$ 4

Fair Value Measurements - Sched

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Foreign Exchange [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange hedge	$ 50
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap liability	1,260	$ 253
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange hedge	50
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap liability	$ 1,260	$ 253

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Receivables sold to Investors	$ 414,200,000	$ 360,300,000
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	0
Liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	$ 0

Other Assets and Liabilities -

Other Assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Receivables related to supplier allowances included Accounts receivable	$ 102.4	$ 124.4
Accrued customer rebates included in Accrued liabilities	60.9	63.2
Loss on sale of software solution subsidiary	$ 10.7
Notes and other receivables		$ 10.6

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 20,017	$ 18,595	$ 3,982	$ 23,647	$ 18,327	$ 11,375	$ 42,594	$ 53,349	$ 70,773	$ 73,507	$ 66,526
Income before income taxes	$ 47,684	$ 48,429	$ (2,025)	$ 63,878	$ 48,849	$ 30,667	$ 94,086	$ 143,394	$ 182,888	$ 195,560	$ 179,407
Effective income tax percent	42.00%			37.00%			45.30%	37.20%
United States statutory income tax rate, percent							35.00%

Legal Matters - Additional Info

Legal Matters - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Plaintiff
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs | Plaintiff	2
Inadvertent Violation under TCPA for Unsolicited Fax Advertisement [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought by plaintiff per violation	$ 500
Willful Violation under TCPA for Unsolicited Fax Advertisement [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought by plaintiff per violation	$ 1,500