Essendant (ESND) 10-K 27 Feb 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 21, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	ESND
Entity Registrant Name	ESSENDANT INC
Entity Central Index Key	355,999
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,472,971
Entity Public Float			$ 680

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 5,369,022	$ 5,363,046	$ 5,327,205	[1]
Cost of goods sold		4,609,161	4,526,551	4,524,676	[1]
Gross profit		759,861	836,495	802,529	[1]
Operating expenses:
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses		629,825	675,913	595,673	[1]
Defined benefit plan settlement loss		12,510
Impairments of goodwill and intangible assets			129,338	9,034	[1]
Loss (gain) on disposition of business			1,461	(800)	[1]
Operating income		117,526	29,783	198,622	[1]
Interest expense		24,143	20,580	16,234	[1]
Interest income		(1,272)	(996)	(500)	[1]
Income before income taxes		94,655	10,199	182,888	[1]
Income tax expense		30,803	54,541	70,773	[1]
Net income (loss)	[1]	$ 63,852	$ (44,342)	$ 112,115
Net income (loss) per share - basic:
Net income (loss) per share - basic		$ 1.75	$ (1.18)	$ 2.90	[1]
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic		36,580	37,457	38,705	[1]
Net income (loss) per share - diluted:
Net income (loss) per share - diluted		$ 1.73	$ (1.18)	$ 2.87	[1]
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		36,918	37,457	39,130	[1]
Dividends declared per share		$ 0.56	$ 0.56	$ 0.56	[1]
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	[1]	$ 63,852	$ (44,342)	$ 112,115
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Translation adjustments	[1]	1,427	(9,075)	(5,262)
Translation loss realized through disposition of business	[1]		11,132
Minimum pension liability adjustments	[1]	9,682	3,271	(17,044)
Cash flow hedge adjustments		26	(128)	(597)	[1]
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		11,135	5,200	(22,903)	[1]
Comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	$ 74,987	$ (39,142)	$ 89,212
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,329	$ 29,983
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,196 in 2016 and $17,810 in 2015	678,184	716,537
Inventories	876,837	922,162
Other current assets	32,100	27,310
Total current assets	1,608,450	1,695,992
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land	6,634	12,968
Buildings	50,622	61,777
Fixtures and equipment	353,362	342,339
Leasehold improvements	37,147	31,082
Capitalized software costs	97,010	98,873
Total property, plant and equipment	544,775	547,039
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	416,524	413,288
Net property, plant equipment	128,251	133,751
Intangible assets, net	83,690	96,413
Goodwill	297,906	299,355
Other long-term assets	45,209	37,348
Total assets	2,163,506	2,262,859
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	484,602	531,949
Accrued liabilities	197,804	177,472
Current maturities of long-term debt	28	51
Total current liabilities	682,434	709,472
Deferred income taxes	6,378	11,901
Long-term debt	608,941	716,264
Other long-term liabilities	84,647	101,488
Total liabilities	1,382,400	1,539,125
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized - 100,000,000 shares, issued - 74,435,628 shares in 2016 and 2015	7,444	7,444
Additional paid-in capital	409,805	410,927
Treasury stock, at cost – 36,951,522 shares in 2016 and 37,178,394 shares in 2015	(1,096,744)	(1,100,867)
Retained earnings	1,507,057	1,463,821
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(46,456)	(57,591)
Total stockholders’ equity	781,106	723,734
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,163,506	$ 2,262,859

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 18,196	$ 17,810
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	36,951,522	37,178,394

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total		Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 820,146	[1]	$ 7,444	$ (998,234)	$ 411,954	$ (39,888)	$ 1,438,870	[1]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013				74,435,628	(34,714,083)
Net income (loss)	[1]	112,115						112,115
Unrealized translation adjustments		(5,262)	[1]				(5,262)
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of tax expense of $10,853, $2,071 and $6,135 in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively		(17,044)	[1]				(17,044)
Unrealized benefit (loss) on interest rate swaps and cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(380), $135 & $(52) in 2014, 2015 & 2016 respectively		(597)	[1]				(597)
Comprehensive income (loss)		89,212	[1]				(22,903)	112,115	[1]
Cash dividend declared, $0.56 per share, $0.56 per share and $0.56 per share in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively	[1]	(21,761)						(21,761)
Acquisition of treasury stock		(50,591)	[1]		$ (50,591)
Acquisition of treasury stock (in shares)					(1,255,705)
Stock compensation		$ 6,661	[1]		$ 6,324	337
Stock compensation (in shares)		250,747			250,747
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 843,667	[1]	$ 7,444	$ (1,042,501)	412,291	(62,791)	1,529,224	[1]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014				74,435,628	(35,719,041)
Net income (loss)	[1]	(44,342)						(44,342)
Unrealized translation adjustments		(9,075)	[1]				(9,075)
Translation loss realized through disposition of business		11,132	[1]				11,132
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of tax expense of $10,853, $2,071 and $6,135 in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively		3,271	[1]				3,271
Unrealized benefit (loss) on interest rate swaps and cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(380), $135 & $(52) in 2014, 2015 & 2016 respectively		(128)	[1]				(128)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(39,142)	[1]				5,200	(44,342)	[1]
Cash dividend declared, $0.56 per share, $0.56 per share and $0.56 per share in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively	[1]	(21,061)						(21,061)
Acquisition of treasury stock		$ (67,446)	[1]		$ (67,446)
Acquisition of treasury stock (in shares)		(1,822,227)			(1,822,227)
Stock compensation		$ 7,716	[1]		$ 9,080	(1,364)
Stock compensation (in shares)		362,874			362,874
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 723,734	[1]	$ 7,444	$ (1,100,867)	410,927	(57,591)	1,463,821	[1]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015				74,435,628	(37,178,394)
Net income (loss)	[1]	63,852						63,852
Unrealized translation adjustments		1,427	[1]				1,427
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of tax expense of $10,853, $2,071 and $6,135 in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively		9,682	[1]				9,682
Unrealized benefit (loss) on interest rate swaps and cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(380), $135 & $(52) in 2014, 2015 & 2016 respectively		26	[1]				26
Comprehensive income (loss)		74,987	[1]				11,135	63,852	[1]
Cash dividend declared, $0.56 per share, $0.56 per share and $0.56 per share in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively	[1]	(20,616)						(20,616)
Acquisition of treasury stock		$ (6,839)	[1]		$ (6,839)
Acquisition of treasury stock (in shares)		(241,270)			(241,270)
Stock compensation		$ 9,840	[1]		$ 10,962	(1,122)
Stock compensation (in shares)		468,142			468,142
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 781,106	[1]	$ 7,444	$ (1,096,744)	$ 409,805	$ (46,456)	$ 1,507,057	[1]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2016				74,435,628	(36,951,522)
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHA7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum pension liability adjustment, tax expense	$ (6,135)	$ (2,071)	$ (10,853)
Unrealized benefit (loss) on interest rate swaps and cash flow hedges , tax expense (benefit)	$ 52	$ (135)	$ 380
Cash dividend per share	$ 0.56	$ 0.56	$ 0.56	[1]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Minimum pension liability adjustment, tax expense	$ (6,135)	$ (2,071)	$ (10,853)
Unrealized benefit (loss) on interest rate swaps and cash flow hedges , tax expense (benefit)	$ 52	$ (135)	$ 380
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cash dividend per share	$ 0.56	$ 0.56	$ 0.56
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	[1]	$ 63,852	$ (44,342)		$ 112,115
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		33,289	33,532		32,381	[1]
Amortization of intangible assets		12,238	15,143		8,623	[1]
Share-based compensation		10,202	7,895		8,195	[1]
(Gain) loss on the disposition of property, plant and equipment		(20,965)	1,959		1,155	[1]
Amortization of capitalized financing costs		681	875		859	[1]
Excess tax cost (benefit) related to share-based compensation		1,034	(479)		(1,214)	[1]
Loss on disposition of business	[1]				8,234
Loss on sale of equity investment			33
Asset impairment charge			155,603
Deferred income taxes		(10,624)	(23,162)		(10,879)	[1]
Pension settlement charge		12,510
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net		38,499	(9,986)		(16,529)	[1]
Decrease (increase) in inventory		47,148	(12,467)		(18,724)	[1]
Increase in other assets		(12,631)	(5,313)		(2,898)	[1]
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable		(47,262)	41,329		(40,725)	[1]
Increase in accrued liabilities		17,534	1,077		1,276	[1]
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(14,563)	1,037		(4,736)	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities		130,942	162,734		77,133	[1]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(37,709)	(28,325)		(24,994)	[1]
Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment		33,940	153		2,767	[1]
Proceeds from the disposition of a subsidiary			146
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(40,515)		(161,406)	[1]
Sale of equity investment			612
Net cash used in investing activities		(3,769)	(67,929)		(183,633)	[1]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net (repayment) borrowings under revolving credit facility		(108,052)	4,577		155,911	[1]
Borrowings under Receivables Securitization Program	[1]				9,300
Repayment of debt	[1]				(135,000)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	[1]				150,000
Net proceeds (disbursements) from share-based compensation arrangements		554	(770)		(2,863)	[1]
Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost		(6,839)	(68,055)		(49,982)	[1]
Payment of cash dividends		(20,487)	(21,185)		(21,789)	[1]
Excess tax (cost) benefits related to share-based compensation		(1,034)	479		1,214	[1]
Payment of debt issuance costs		(106)	(36)		(823)	[1]
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(135,964)	(84,990)		105,968	[1]
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		137	(644)		(982)	[1]
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(8,654)	9,171		(1,514)	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		29,983	20,812	[1]	22,326	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		21,329	29,983		20,812	[1]
Cash Paid During the Year For:
Interest		22,901	19,275		12,822	[1]
Income tax payments, net		$ 32,151	$ 76,330		$ 76,205	[1]
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements represent Essendant Inc. (“ESND”) with its wholly owned subsidiary Essendant Co. (“ECO”), and ECO’s subsidiaries (collectively, “Essendant” or the “Company”). The 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. The Company operates in a single reportable segment as a leading national wholesale distributor of workplace items, with net sales of approximately $5.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company provides access to approximately 190,000 items on a national basis. These items include a broad spectrum of janitorial, foodservice and breakroom supplies, technology products, traditional office products, industrial supplies, cut sheet paper products, automotive products and office furniture. The Company sells its products through a national distribution network of 70 distribution centers to its approximately 29,000 reseller customers, who in turn sell directly to end-consumers. The Company’s customers include office and workplace dealers; facilities and maintenance distributors; technology, military, automotive aftermarket, national big-box retailers and healthcare and vertical suppliers; industrial distributors and internet retailers. Many resellers have online capabilities. The Company also operates as an internet retailer which sells direct to end consumers.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For all acquisitions, account balances and results of operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements as of the date acquired. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Various assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of significant accounting estimates. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions, product mix, and in some cases, actuarial techniques. The Company periodically reevaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate. Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when a service is rendered or when title to the product has transferred to the customer. Management records an estimate for future product returns related to revenue recognized in the current period. This estimate is based on historical product return trends and the gross margin associated with those returns. Management also records customer rebates that are based on annual sales volume to the Company’s customers. Annual rebates earned by customers include growth components, volume hurdle components, and advertising allowances. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are treated as revenues and recognized at the time title to the product has transferred to the customer. Freight costs are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of cost of goods sold and are not netted against shipping and handling revenues. Net sales do not include sales tax charged to customers. Customer Rebates Customer rebates and discounts are common practice in the business products industry and have a significant impact on the Company’s overall sales and gross margin. Customer rebates include volume rebates, sales growth incentives, advertising allowances, participation in promotions and other miscellaneous discount programs. These rebates are paid to customers monthly, quarterly and/or annually. Such rebates are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a reduction of sales. Prepaid customer rebates were $47.9 million and $36.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included as a component of “Other current assets” and “Other assets”. Accrued customer rebates were $65.3 million and $63.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included as a component of “Accrued liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Share-Based Compensation At December 31, 2016, the Company had two active share-based employee compensation plans covering key associates and/or non-employee directors of the Company. See Note 5 - “Share-Based Compensation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. Cash Equivalents Under the Company’s cash management system, the Company utilizes available borrowings, on an as-needed basis, to fund the clearing of checks as they are presented for payment. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, outstanding checks totaling $34.3 million and $46.0 million, respectively, were included in “Accounts payable” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts Receivable In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to customers. Accounts receivable, as shown in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, include such trade accounts receivable and are net of allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts. The Company makes judgments as to the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on historical trends and future expectations. Management estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts, which addresses the collectability of trade accounts receivable. This allowance adjusts gross trade accounts receivable downward to its estimated collectible or net realizable value. To determine the allowance for doubtful accounts, management reviews specific customer risks and the Company’s trade accounts receivable aging. Uncollectible trade receivable balances are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is determined that the trade receivable balance is uncollectible. Supplier Allowances Supplier allowances (fixed or variable) are common practice in the business products industry and have a significant impact on the Company’s overall gross margin. Receivables related to supplier allowances totaled $86.9 million and $111.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These receivables are included in “Accounts receivable” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the Company’s annual supplier allowances and incentives are variable, based solely on the volume and mix of the Company’s product purchases from suppliers. These allowances are recorded based on the Company’s annual inventory purchase volumes and product mix and are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a reduction to cost of goods sold, thereby reflecting the net inventory purchase cost. The remaining portion of the Company’s annual supplier allowances and incentives are fixed and are earned based primarily on supplier participation in specific Company advertising and marketing publications. Fixed allowances and incentives are taken to income through cost of goods sold as inventory is sold. Supplier allowances and incentives attributable to unsold inventory are carried as a component of net inventory cost. Inventories Approximately 98.3% and 98.4% of total inventory as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 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 $147.9 million (includes $1.5 million LIFO reserve reduction related to Nestor acquired in 2015) and $147.8 million higher than reported as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The change in the LIFO reserve in 2016 included a LIFO liquidation relating to decrements in five of the Company’s eight LIFO pools. These decrements resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs in prior years as compared with the cost of current year purchases. This liquidation resulted in LIFO income of $0.8 million which was more than offset by LIFO expense of $2.4 million related to current inflation for an overall net increase in cost of sales of $1.6 million. The change in the LIFO reserve in 2015 included a LIFO liquidation relating to decrements in three of the Company’s eight LIFO pools. These decrements resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs in prior years as compared with the cost of current year purchases. This liquidation resulted in LIFO income of $1.1 million which was more than offset by LIFO expense of $7.8 million related to current inflation for an overall net increase in cost of sales of $6.7 million. The change in the LIFO reserve in 2014 included a LIFO liquidation relating to decrements in three of the Company’s seven LIFO pools. These decrements resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs in prior years as compared with the cost of current year purchases. This liquidation resulted in LIFO income of $0.9 million which was more than offset by LIFO expense of $18.3 million related to current inflation for an overall net increase in cost of sales of $17.4 million. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are determined by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful life assigned to fixtures and equipment is from two to ten years; the estimated useful life assigned to buildings does not exceed forty years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or the term of the applicable lease. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Software Capitalization The Company capitalizes internal use software development costs in accordance with guidance on accounting for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not to exceed ten years. Capitalized software amortization was $8.8 million, $8.5 million and $7.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capitalized software is included in “Property, plant and equipment” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total net capitalized software development costs are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Capitalized software development costs $ 97,010 $ 98,873 Accumulated amortization (71,617 ) (73,723 ) Net capitalized software development costs $ 25,393 $ 25,150 Goodwill and Intangible Assets As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets reflected $297.9 million and $299.4 million of goodwill, and $83.7 million and $96.4 million in net intangible assets, respectively. See Note 6 - “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” to the consolidated financial statements for more information. Insured Loss Liability Estimates The Company is primarily responsible for retained liabilities related to workers’ compensation, vehicle, and certain employee health benefits. The Company records expense for paid and open claims and an expense for claims incurred but not reported based upon historical trends and certain assumptions about future events. The Company has an annual per-person maximum cap, provided by a third-party insurance company, on certain employee medical benefits. In addition, the Company has a per-occurrence maximum on workers’ compensation and auto claims. Leases The Company leases real estate and personal property under operating leases. Certain operating leases include incentives from landlords including, landlord “build-out” allowances, rent escalation clauses and rent holidays or periods in which rent is not payable for a certain amount of time. The Company accounts for landlord “build-out” allowances as deferred rent at the time of possession and amortizes this deferred rent on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company also recognizes leasehold improvements associated with the “build-out” allowances and amortizes these improvements over the shorter of the term of the lease or the expected life of the respective improvements. The Company accounts for rent escalation and rent holidays as deferred rent at the time of possession and amortizes this deferred rent on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. As of December 31, 2016, any capital leases to which the Company is a party are immaterial to the Company’s financial statements. Pension Benefits Calculating the Company’s obligations and expenses related to its union and non-union pension obligation requires selection and use of certain actuarial assumptions. As more fully discussed in Note 13 – “Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan”, these actuarial assumptions include discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, and life expectancy of plan participants. To select the appropriate actuarial assumptions, management relies on current market conditions and historical information. Pension expense for 2016 was $5.1 million, compared to $5.4 million and $3.6 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. In 2016, as a result of a lump sum offer, a settlement and remeasurement of the Essendant Pension Plan was performed and resulted in a settlement loss of $12.5 million, for an aggregate pension expense of $17.6 million in 2016. See Note 13 – “Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan” for more information. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (net), foreign exchange hedge assets, accounts payable, debt, and long-term interest swap liability, approximates their net carrying values. The fair value of the foreign exchange hedge is estimated based upon quoted market rates and the fair value of the interest rate swaps is estimated based upon the amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements as of December 31 of each year. See Note 17 - “Fair Value Measurements”, for further information. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company’s risk management policies allow for the use of derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposure subject to the management, direction and control of its financial officers. Risk management practices, including the use of all derivative financial instruments, are presented to the Board of Directors for approval. The policies do not allow such derivative financial instruments to be used for speculative purposes. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet date at their fair value. The Company’s interest rate swap is classified as a cash flow hedge in accordance with accounting guidance on derivative instruments and hedging activities as it is hedging the variability of cash flow to be paid by the Company. The Company uses foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge certain of its foreign exchange rate exposures related to inventory purchases, and classifies the designation contracts as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, until earnings are affected by the forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flow, and then are reported in current earnings. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions or variability of cash flow. The Company formally assesses, at both the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flow of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge then hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively in accordance with accounting guidance on derivative instruments and hedging activities. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes. The Company estimates actual current tax expense and assesses temporary differences that exist due to differing treatments of items for tax and financial statement purposes. These temporary differences result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. A provision has not been made for deferred U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries as these earnings have historically been permanently invested except to the extent a liability was recorded in purchase accounting for the undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries of O.K.I. Supply Co. as of the date of the acquisition. It is not practicable to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability for such unremitted foreign earnings. The current and deferred tax balances and income tax expense recognized by the Company are based on management’s interpretation of the tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. Income tax expense also reflects the Company’s best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, interpretation of tax laws, and tax planning. Future changes in tax laws, changes in projected levels of taxable income, and tax planning could impact the effective tax rate and current and deferred tax balances recorded by the Company. Management’s estimates as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best judgment giving consideration to all currently available facts and circumstances. As such, these estimates may require adjustment in the future, as additional facts become known or as circumstances change. Further, in accordance with the accounting guidance on income taxes, the tax effects from uncertain tax positions are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements, only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. See Note 15 – “Income Taxes” to the consolidated financial statements for more information. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into U.S. currency at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions included a $11.1 million loss related to the sale of the Mexican subsidiary in 2015. New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The Company currently anticipates adopting the standard using the modified retrospective approach, which will require the Company to recognize the cumulative effect of initial adoption of the standard for all contracts as of, and new contracts after, the date of initial application. Based on the Company’s initial assessment and detailed inspection of the revenue streams of the organization, the impact of the application of the new standard will most likely result in recognition of financing components for certain rebate arrangements that have significant, implied terms and are expected to result in a reduction of net revenues related to implicit interest associated with the significant financing components of those rebate arrangements. The Company also expects other disclosure changes resulting from certain policy elections and practical expedient uses, or allowable divergences from authoritative guidance. The Company expects that revenue recognition related to the processing, fulfillment and shipment of various warehoused goods to remain substantially unchanged. While the Company has not completed the full assessment it will continue to monitor for modifications required by the standards throughout the year ended December 31, 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) that requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases other than those that meet the definition of short-term leases. For short-term leases, lessees may elect an accounting policy by class of underlying asset under which these assets and liabilities are not recognized and lease payments are generally recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. This standard will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which eliminates the second step of the two-step goodwill and indefinite lived intangible impairment test. Specifically, the standard requires an entity to perform its interim or annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized could not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company notes that the new guidance would only be impactful on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the event that an interim or annual goodwill impairment is recognized.

Change in Accounting Principles

Change in Accounting Principles	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Change in Accounting Principles	3. Change in Accounting Principles Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation In 2015, the Company changed its method of inventory costing for certain inventory in its Office and Facilities (formerly known as Business and Facility Essentials and separately known as Supply and Lagasse) operating segment to the LIFO method from the FIFO accounting method. Prior to the change, the Office and Facilities operating segment was comprised of two separate legal entities that each utilized different methods of inventory costing: LIFO for inventories related to office products which is comprised mainly of office product and breakroom categories and FIFO for inventories related to facility products which consists of the janitorial product category. The LIFO method is preferable because i) the Company was 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 are 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. The change was 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 in 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. (dollars in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2014 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold $ 4,516,704 $ 4,524,676 $ 7,972 Gross profit 810,501 802,529 (7,972 ) Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses 592,050 595,673 3,623 Income before income taxes 194,483 182,888 (11,595 ) Income tax expense 75,285 70,773 (4,512 ) Net income 119,198 112,115 (7,083 ) Net income per share Basic $ 3.08 $ 2.90 $ (0.18 ) Diluted $ 3.05 $ 2.87 $ (0.18 ) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) Comprehensive income 96,295 89,212 (7,083 ) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) Deferred income taxes (6,367 ) (10,879 ) (4,512 ) Inventories (30,319 ) (18,724 ) 11,595 Cash provided by operating activities 77,133 77,133 - Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings at beginning of year $ 1,444,238 $ 1,438,870 $ (5,368 ) Retained earnings at end of year 1,541,675 1,529,224 (12,451 )

Acquisitions & Dispositions

Acquisitions & Dispositions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions & Dispositions	4. Acquisitions & Dispositions CPO Commerce, Inc. On May 30, 2014, Essendant Co. completed the acquisition of CPO Commerce, Inc. (“CPO”), a leading internet retailer of brand name power tools and equipment. 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, and will be between zero and $10 million. The Company has currently recorded a liability for contingent consideration of $9.7 million. Any changes to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration after the original purchase accounting is completed are recorded in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses” in the period in which a change occurs. 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. CPO contributed $135.8 million and $119.7 million to the Company’s 2016 and 2015 net sales, respectively. Had the CPO acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2014, the Company’s unaudited pro forma net sales and net income for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2014 would not have been materially impacted. 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. 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. 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 paid approximately $1.7 million in 2016 and has a liability for contingent consideration of $3.2 million remaining. Any changes to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration after the original purchase accounting is completed are recorded in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses” in the period in which a change occurs. Additionally, $6.0 million was reserved as a payable upon completion of an eighteen-month indemnification period, which was paid during the second quarter of 2016. This acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand and cash available under the Company’s committed bank facilities. Purchase accounting for this transaction was completed as of October 31, 2015. MEDCO contributed $271.1 million and $270.8 million to the Company’s 2016 and 2015 net sales, respectively. Had the MEDCO acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2014, the Company’s unaudited pro forma net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 would have been $5.5 billion, and the Company’s unaudited pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 would have been $117.9 million. 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. 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. Purchase accounting for this transaction was completed as of June 30, 2016. Nestor contributed $64.9 million to the Company’s 2016 net sales. Had the Nestor acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2014, the Company’s unaudited pro forma net sales and net income for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 would not have been materially impacted. The final allocations of the purchase prices were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO MEDCO NESTOR Purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 32,225 $ 145,873 $ 39,983 Accounts receivable (2,956 ) (44,815 ) (9,230 ) Inventories (13,051 ) (55,491 ) (12,067 ) 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 ) (16,930 ) Total assets acquired (29,564 ) (146,663 ) (40,569 ) Accounts payable 16,911 32,383 4,992 Accrued liabilities 2,580 5,542 1,943 Deferred income taxes 3,453 2,167 3,287 Other long-term liabilities 90 52 76 Total liabilities assumed 23,034 40,144 10,298 Goodwill $ 25,695 $ 39,354 $ 9,712 The purchased identifiable intangible assets were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO MEDCO NESTOR Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Customer relationships $ 5,200 3 years $ 37,590 3-15 years $ 15,570 13 years Trademark 7,600 15 years 2,410 1.5-15 years 1,360 2.5-15 years Total $ 12,800 $ 40,000 $ 16,930 Disposition of Azerty de Mexico In September 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. Final payment on the seller’s note was received in 2016. 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 Disposition of MBS Dev On December 16, 2014, the Company sold MBS Dev, as subsidiary focused on software solutions for distribution companies. In conjunction with this sale, the Company recognized an $8.2 million loss on the disposition of the business. This consisted of a $9.0 million goodwill impairment and an $0.8 million gain on the disposal. See Note 6 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for further detail.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	5. Share-Based Compensation Overview As of December 31, 2016, the Company has two active equity compensation plans. A description of these plans is as follows: Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock Compensation Plan Pursuant to the Essendant Inc. Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, non-employee directors may defer receipt of all or a portion of their retainer and meeting fees. Fees deferred are credited quarterly to each participating director in the form of stock units, based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the quarterly deferral date. Each stock unit account generally is distributed and settled in whole shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, with a cash-out of any fractional stock unit interests, after the participant ceases to serve as a Company director. For each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the accumulated number of stock units outstanding under this plan was 40,189, 41,051, and 43,082, respectively. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) In May 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved the LTIP to, among other things, attract and retain managerial talent, further align the interest of key associates to those of the Company’s stockholders and provide competitive compensation to key associates. 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 LTIP, except that non-employee directors may not be granted stock options. Accounting For Share-Based Compensation The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Numerator: Pre-tax expense $ 10,202 $ 7,895 $ 8,195 Tax effect (3,846 ) (3,000 ) (3,114 ) After tax expense $ 6,356 $ 4,895 $ 5,081 Denominator: Denominator for basic shares—Weighted average shares 36,580 37,457 38,705 Denominator for diluted shares—Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities 36,918 37,457 39,130 Net expense per share: Net expense per share—basic $ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 Net expense per share—diluted $ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 The following tables summarize the intrinsic value of options outstanding, exercisable, and exercised for the applicable periods listed below (in thousands): As of December 31, Year ended December 31, Outstanding Exercisable Exercised 2016 $ - $ - $ 535 2015 1,253 1,253 902 2014 6,092 4,543 537 The following tables summarize the intrinsic value of restricted shares outstanding and vested for the applicable periods listed below (in thousands): As of December 31, Year ended December 31, Outstanding Vested 2016 $ 29,056 $ 4,705 2015 34,981 8,159 2014 45,928 10,976 The aggregate intrinsic values summarized in the tables above are based on the closing sale price per share for the Company’s common stock on the last day of trading in each year which was $20.90, $32.51, and $42.16 per share for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable does not include the value of options for which the exercise price exceeds the stock price as of the last day of trading in each year. Stock Options In 2016 and 2015, there were no stock options granted and therefore, at December 31, 2016, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards granted. The following table summarizes the transactions, excluding restricted stock, under the Company’s equity compensation plans for the last three years: Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Average Average Exercise Exercise Exercise 2016 Price 2015 Price 2014 Price Options outstanding—January 1 448,687 $ 33.31 727,378 $ 33.81 812,160 $ 33.70 Granted - - - - 5,538 45.89 Exercised (82,228 ) 24.94 (77,918 ) 24.11 (32,610 ) 24.43 Cancelled (35,988 ) 38.69 (200,773 ) 38.71 (57,710 ) 38.74 Expired (100,938 ) 31.13 - - - - Options outstanding—December 31 229,533 $ 36.42 448,687 $ 33.31 727,378 $ 33.81 Number of options exercisable 229,533 $ 36.42 195,402 $ 26.11 273,320 $ 25.54 The following table summarizes proceeds related to option exercises and related tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Proceeds from options exercised 2,097 1,939 814 Tax Benefit 199 340 203 The following table summarizes outstanding and exercisable options granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016: Remaining Contractual Exercise Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Exercisable 25.00-30.00 60,216 0.6 60,216 30.01-35.00 2,246 0.4 2,246 35.01-40.00 161,533 6.1 161,533 45.01-50.00 5,538 7.0 5,538 Total 229,533 229,533 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units The Company granted 554,491 shares of restricted stock and 276,110 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during 2016. During 2015, the Company granted 462,697 shares of restricted stock and 162,092 restricted stock units (“RSUs”). During 2014, the Company granted 253,042 shares of restricted stock and 176,717 RSUs. The majority of the RSUs granted in 2016 and 2015 vest in 2019 and 2018, respectively, and the majority of the RSUs granted in 2014 vest in three annual installments based on the terms of the agreements. The 2016 and 2015 RSUs vest to the extent earned based on the Company’s cumulative net income and cumulative working capital efficiency against target goals. Certain grants made in 2016 include total shareholder return as a metric for vesting as well. The 2014 RSUs are based on net income attainment each year of the vesting period. The performance-based RSUs granted in 2016, 2015, and 2014 have a minimum and maximum payout of zero to 200%. Included in the 2016, 2015, and 2014 grants were 383,196, 333,268, and 271,594 shares of restricted stock and RSUs granted to employees who were not executive officers, as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, there were 55,120, 30,778, and 20,664 shares of restricted stock and RSUs granted to non-employee directors during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were also 392,285, 260,743, and 137,501 shares of restricted stock and RSUs granted to executive officers, respectively. The restricted stock granted to executive officers vests with respect to each officer in annual increments over three years, provided that the officer is still employed as of the anniversary date of the grant, and the Company’s cumulative diluted earnings per share for the four calendar quarters immediately preceding the vesting date exceed $0.50 per diluted share as defined in the officers’ restricted stock agreement. As of December 31, 2016, there was $16.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and RSUs granted. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years. The following table summarizes restricted stock and RSU transactions for the last three years. Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Average Average Grant Date Grant Date Grant Date Restricted Stock and RSUs 2016 Fair Value 2015 Fair Value 2014 Fair Value Nonvested—January 1 1,076,000 $ 36.13 1,089,374 $ 31.23 1,041,189 $ 31.24 Granted 830,601 24.34 624,789 36.79 429,759 40.52 Vested (196,394 ) 37.32 (212,537 ) 33.94 (237,739 ) 41.59 Cancelled (319,965 ) 36.31 (425,626 ) 34.58 (143,835 ) 34.04 Nonvested—December 31 1,390,242 $ 28.88 1,076,000 $ 36.13 1,089,374 $ 31.23

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 and whenever events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate, loss of key personnel or a decision to sell or dispose of a reporting unit. Determining whether an impairment has occurred requires a comparison of the carrying value of the net assets of the reporting unit to the fair value of the respective reporting unit. Acquired intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair market values determined on quoted market prices in active markets, if available, or recognized valuation models. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment or whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company makes an annual impairment assessment of its intangibles. During the 2016 annual impairment test, conducted as of October 1, 2016, the Company concluded that the goodwill and intangibles of all the Company’s four reporting units were not impaired. During the 2015 annual impairment test, it was determined that the fair value of the Industrial reporting unit (formerly ORS Industrial) was below its carrying value. The fair value of the business was impacted by the macroeconomic environment in the oilfield and energy sectors that was projected to have a long-term downturn, causing a change in strategic direction for Industrial. Industrial, under new leadership, planned to diversify its offerings to lessen dependencies on the oilfield and energy sectors by revising its merchandising and sales strategy. The determination of fair value for the reporting unit was based on a combination of prices and M&A transactions of comparable businesses and forecasted future discounted cash flows. The amount of the goodwill impairment was determined by valuing the entity’s assets and liabilities at fair value and comparing the fair value of the implied goodwill to its carrying value. Upon completion of this calculation, the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeded the implied fair value resulting in a goodwill impairment of $113.8 million. In addition, as part of this strategic review, the Company determined a portion of its inventory would no longer be offered and, therefore, was obsolete as of December 31, 2015. This determination resulted in an additional reserve of $4.9 million. In connection with the sale of Azerty de Mexico in 2015, the Company performed an impairment test and determined that $3.3 million of goodwill allocated to the subsidiary was fully impaired. See Note 4, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” for further detail. During the 2014 impairment test, the Company began negotiating the sale of MBS Dev with third parties and concluded that this change in strategy for MBS Dev was an interim indicator of impairment that necessitated an interim test for goodwill impairment. The Company completed a goodwill impairment test as of the date the assets were classified as held for sale, and used a market approach to determine the fair value of the MBS Dev reporting unit. The fair value of the MBS Dev reporting unit did not exceed its carrying value, requiring the Company to determine the amount of goodwill impairment loss by valuing the entity’s assets and liabilities at fair value and comparing the fair value of the implied goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill. Upon completion of this calculation, the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of that goodwill, resulting in a goodwill impairment of $9.0 million. The goodwill impairment was partially offset by the fair value of the consideration received for MBS Dev being in excess of the carrying value, leading to a total loss on disposition of MBS Dev of $8.2 million. The recognized and unrecognized intangible assets were valued using the cost method and relief from royalty approach using estimates of forecasted future revenues. Impairment losses are reported in warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses and inventory reserve is a component of cost of goods sold on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets reflected $297.9 million and $299.4 million of goodwill, respectively. Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 299,355 Purchase accounting adjustments (1,858 ) Currency translation adjustment 409 Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 297,906 Net intangible assets consist primarily of customer lists, trademarks, and non-compete agreements purchased as part of acquisitions. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets reflected $83.7 million and $96.4 million in net intangible assets, respectively. The Company has no intention to renew or extend the terms of acquired intangible assets and accordingly, did not incur any related costs during 2016 or 2015. All of the Company’s intangible assets are subject to amortization, which totaled $12.2 million, $15.1 million, and $8.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Accumulated amortization of intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 totaled $72.1 million and $59.9 million, respectively. 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 (in thousands): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 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 $ 137,452 $ (62,235 ) $ 75,217 16 $ 137,938 $ (51,357 ) $ 86,581 16 Non-compete agreements 4,649 (4,260 ) 389 4 4,644 (4,260 ) 384 4 Trademarks 13,704 (5,620 ) 8,084 14 13,688 (4,240 ) 9,448 14 Total $ 155,805 $ (72,115 ) $ 83,690 $ 156,270 $ (59,857 ) $ 96,413 The following table summarizes the amortization expense expected to be incurred over the next five years on intangible assets (in thousands): Year Amounts 2017 $ 10,777 2018 8,039 2019 6,922 2020 6,919 2021 6,919

Severance and Restructuring Cha

Severance and Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance and Restructuring Charges	7. Severance and Restructuring Charges Commencing in 2015, the Company took certain restructuring actions which included workforce reduction, facility closures and actions to reduce costs through management delayering in order to achieve broader functional alignment of the organization. The charges associated with these actions were included in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses”. These actions were substantially completed in 2016. The expenses, cash flows, and accrued liabilities associated with the restructuring actions described above are noted in the following table (in thousands): Expenses Cash flow Accrued Liabilities For the years ended December 31, For the years ended December 31, As of December 31, 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 Fourth Quarter 2015 Action Workforce reduction $ (700 ) $ 11,863 $ 8,954 $ 785 $ 1,424 First quarter 2015 Actions Workforce reduction $ (510 ) $ 5,467 $ 539 $ 3,660 $ 758 Facility closure 254 1,245 686 813 - Total $ (256 ) $ 6,712 $ 1,225 $ 4,473 $ 758

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) by component, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows: (amounts in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plans Total AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015 $ (9,866 ) $ 146 $ (47,871 ) $ (57,591 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications 1,427 (565 ) (1,299 ) (437 ) Settlement loss reclassified from AOCI - - 7,666 7,666 Amounts reclassified from AOCI - 591 3,315 3,906 Net other comprehensive (loss) income 1,427 26 9,682 11,135 AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (8,439 ) $ 172 $ (38,189 ) $ (46,456 ) The following table details the amounts reclassified out of AOCI into the income statement during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Amount Reclassified From AOCI For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, Affected Line Item In The Statement Details About AOCI Components 2016 Where Net Income is Presented Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges Gain on interest rate swap, before tax $ 1,007 Interest expense, net Loss on foreign exchange hedges, before tax (42 ) Cost of goods sold Tax benefit (374 ) Tax provision $ 591 Net of tax Defined benefit pension plan items Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized loss $ 5,429 Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses Settlement loss 12,510 Defined benefit plan settlement loss Tax benefit (6,958 ) Tax provision 10,981 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax $ 11,572

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	9. 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 and deferred stock units are considered dilutive securities. Stock options to purchase 0.2 million, 0.3 million, and 0.5 million shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive. An additional 0.4 million shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2015 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to the net loss. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Numerator: Net income (loss) $ 63,852 $ (44,342 ) $ 112,115 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares 36,580 37,457 38,705 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted units 338 - 425 Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities 36,918 37,457 39,130 Net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 1.75 $ (1.18 ) $ 2.90 Net income (loss) per share - diluted ( 1) $ 1.73 $ (1.18 ) $ 2.87 (1) As a result of the net loss in the year ended December 31, 2015, the effect of potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive and have been omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, consistent with GAAP. Common Stock Repurchases In 2016 and 2015, the Company repurchased 241,270 and 1,822,227 shares of ESND’s common stock at an aggregate cost of $6.8 million and $67.4 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. As of December 31, 2016 the Company had $68.2 million remaining on its current Board authorization to repurchase ESND common stock. During 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company reissued 468,142, 362,874, and 250,747 shares, respectively, of treasury stock to fulfill its obligations under its equity incentive plans.

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	10. Segment Information Management defines operating segments as individual operations that the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) (in the Company’s case, the Chief Executive Officer) reviews for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. When evaluating operating segments, management considers whether: The operating segment engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses; • The operating results of the operating segment are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s CODM; • Discrete financial information is available about the operating segment; and • Other factors are present, such as management structure, presentation of information to the Board of Directors and the nature of the business activity of each operating segment. Based on the factors referenced above, management has determined that the Company has four operating segments, Office and Facilities, Industrial, Automotive and CPO. Office and Facilities includes operations in the United States and included operations in Mexico conducted through a subsidiary, Azerty de Mexico, which was sold in 2015. Industrial includes operations in the United States, Canada and Dubai, UAE. The Automotive operating segment includes operations in the United States and Canada. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s net sales from its foreign operations totaled $69.4 million, $121.9 million and $147.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, long-lived assets of the Company’s foreign operations totaled $30.9 million, $32.2 million, and $42.5 million, respectively. Management has also concluded that three of the Company’s operating segments (Office and Facilities, Industrial, and Automotive) meet all of the aggregation criteria required by the accounting guidance. Such determination is based on company-wide similarities in (1) the nature of products and/or services provided, (2) customers served, (3) production processes and/or distribution methods used, (4) economic characteristics including earnings before interest and taxes, and (5) regulatory environment. CPO does not meet the materiality thresholds for reporting individual segments and was combined with the other operating segments. The Company’s product offerings may be divided into the following primary categories: (1) janitorial, foodservice and breakroom supplies, including foodservice consumables, safety and security items; (2) technology products such as computer supplies and peripherals; (3) traditional office products, including writing instruments, organizers and calendars and various office accessories; (4) industrial supplies, including hand and power tools, safety and security supplies, janitorial equipment and supplies, welding products; (5) cut sheet paper products; (6) automotive products, such as aftermarket tools and equipment; and (7) office furniture, including desks, filing and storage solutions, seating and systems furniture. The following table shows net sales by product category for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Years Ended December 31 2016 (1) 2015 (1) 2014 (1) Janitorial, foodservice and breakroom supplies (JanSan) $ 1,435,476 $ 1,457,993 $ 1,443,242 Technology products 1,347,652 1,363,146 1,447,661 Traditional office products 860,324 860,024 861,649 Industrial supplies 560,682 586,580 601,937 Cut sheet paper 394,650 343,604 465,400 Automotive 316,546 279,966 33,709 Office furniture 298,655 318,870 312,203 Freight and other 155,037 152,863 161,404 Total net sales $ 5,369,022 $ 5,363,046 $ 5,327,205 (1) Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such changes include reclassification of specific products to different product categories and did not impact the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Supplier, Customer, and Product Concentration: In 2016, the Company’s largest supplier was Hewlett-Packard Company which represented approximately 20% of its total purchases as compared to 14% and 16% of total purchases in the prior years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No other supplier accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total purchases in any of the years presented. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had purchases of $18.1 million and payables of $0.7 million to a buying group in which the Company participates through its equity ownership as compared to purchases of $13.8 million and payables of $1.4 million as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company’s customers include independent office and workplace dealers; facilities and maintenance distributors; technology, military, automotive aftermarket, national big-box retailers and healthcare and vertical suppliers; industrial distributors and internet retailers. The Company had one customer, W.B. Mason Co., Inc., which constituted approximately 11% of its 2016 consolidated net sales, 12% of its 2015 consolidated net sales and 12% of its 2014 consolidated net sales, respectively. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s 2016, 2015 or 2014 consolidated net sales. Further, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable as of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. No individual product from any product grouping represented 10% or more of our net sales in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	11. 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, ECO, and from borrowings by ECO. The 2017 Credit Agreement, 2013 Credit Agreement, the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, and the Receivables Securitization Program (each of which are defined below) contain restrictions on the use of cash transferred from ECO to ESND. On February 22, 2017, ESND, ECO, ECO’s United States subsidiaries (ESND, ECO and the subsidiaries collectively referred to as the “Loan Parties”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and certain lenders entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (“2017 Credit Agreement”). The 2017 Credit Agreement amended and restated the Fourth Amended and Restated Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of July 9, 2013 (as amended prior to February 22, 2017, the “2013 Credit Agreement”). Also on February 22, 2017, ESND, ECO and the holders of ECO’s 3.75% senior secured notes due January 15, 2012, (the “Notes”) entered into Amendment No. 4 (“Amendment No. 4”) to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 25, 2013, (as amended prior to February 22, 2017, the “2013 Note Purchase Agreement”). The 2017 Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 4 eliminated covenants in the 2013 Credit Agreement and the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement that prohibited the Company from exceeding a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 3.5 to 1.0 (or 4.0 to 1.0 following certain permitted acquisitions) and restricted the Company’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock when the ratio was 3.0 to 1.0 or more. As a result, the Company is no longer subject to a debt-to-EBITDA ratio. Proceeds from the 2017 Credit Facility were used to repay the balances of the 2013 Credit Agreement and the Receivables Securitization Program (as defined below). The 2017 Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility (with an aggregated committed principal amount of $1.0 billion), a first-in-last-out (“FILO”) revolving credit facility (with an aggregated committed principal amount of $100 million), and a term loan (with an aggregated committed principal amount of $77.6 million). The term loan may be funded in a single funding on or prior to April 21, 2017, but was not funded at closing. Loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement must be extended to the Company first through the FILO facility. Based on the Company’s applicable asset balances, at closing the total availability under the 2017 Credit Agreement was approximately $1.0 billion. The 2017 Credit Agreement also provides for the issuance of letters of credit, up to $25.0 million, plus an additional $165.0 million as collateral for the Company’s obligations under the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement. Borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement bear interest at LIBOR for specified interest periods, at the REVLIBOR30 Rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement) or at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, a margin determined based on the Company’s average quarterly revolving availability. Depending on the Company’s average quarterly revolving availability, the margin on LIBOR-based loans and REVLIBOR30 Rate-based loans ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for revolving and term loans and 2.00% to 2.50% for FILO loans, and on Alternate Base Rate loans ranges from 0.25% to 0.75% for revolving and term loans and 1.00% to 1.50% for FILO loans. As of closing to June 30, 2017, the applicable margin for LIBOR-based loans and REVLIBOR30 Rate-based loans is 1.50% for revolving and term loans and 2.25% for FILO loans, and for Alternate Base Rate loans is 0.50% for revolving and term loans and 1.25% for FILO loans. In addition, ECO is required to pay the lenders a commitment fee on the unutilized portion of the revolving and FILO commitments under the 2017 Credit Agreement at a rate per annum equal to 0.25%. The Company can borrow up to $100.0 million of swingline revolving loans on a revolving basis; swingline loans are considered to be unutilized for purposes of the commitment fee. Letters of credit issued pursuant to the 2017 Credit Agreement incur interest based on the applicable margin rate for LIBOR-based Loans, plus 0.125%. Utilization of the 2017 Credit Agreement, consisting of borrowings and letters of credit as of the February 22, 2017 closing of the agreement were approximately $672.5 million and applicable deferred financing fees associated with the transaction will be amortized over the life of the 2017 Credit Agreement. Obligations of ECO under the 2017 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by ESND and ECO’s domestic subsidiaries. ECO’s obligations under these agreements and the guarantors’ obligations under the guaranty are secured by liens on substantially all Company assets. Availability of credit under the revolving facility will be subject to a revolving borrowing base calculation comprised of a certain percentage of the eligible accounts receivable, plus a certain percentage of the eligible inventory, less reserves. Similarly, availability under the FILO revolving credit facility is subject to a FILO borrowing base comprised primarily of 10% of the eligible accounts receivable, plus 10% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentages of the eligible inventory, less reserves. The amount of the term loan will be determined based on the value of the Company’s owned real estate and certain equipment. The 2017 Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties, covenants and events of default that are customary for facilities of this type, including covenants to deliver periodic certifications setting forth the revolving borrowing base and FILO borrowing base. So long as the Payment Conditions (as defined in the Credit Agreement) are satisfied, the Loan Parties may pay dividends, repurchase stock and engage in certain permitted acquisitions, investments and dispositions, in each case subject to the other terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other loan documents. Prior to the closing of the 2017 Credit Agreement noted above, debt consisted of the following amounts (in millions): As of As of December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 2013 Credit Agreement $ 260.4 $ 368.4 2013 Note Purchase Agreement 150.0 150.0 Receivables Securitization Program 200.0 200.0 Capital Lease 0.1 0.1 Transaction Costs (1.5 ) (2.2 ) Total $ 609.0 $ 716.3 As of December 31, 2016, 75.4% 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”). As of December 31, 2016, the overall weighted average effective borrowing rate, excluding the impact of commitment fees, of the Company’s debt was 2.5%. At December 31, 2016, 50.9% of the Company’s debt was unhedged and variable rate and a 50 basis point movement in interest rates would result in a $1.5 million change in annualized interest expense, on a pre-tax basis, and upon cash flows from operations. Receivables Securitization Program The Company’s accounts receivable securitization program (“Receivables Securitization Program” or the “Program”) was terminated when the Company entered into the 2017 Credit Agreement. The Program provided maximum financing of up to $200 million secured by all the customer accounts receivable and related rights originated by ECO. The receivables sold to investors under the Program remained on ESND’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, and amounts advanced to ESR by Investors were recorded as debt on ESND’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cost of such debt is recorded as interest expense on ESND’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $500.3 million and $448.6 million, respectively, of receivables had been sold to Investors. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $200.0 million outstanding under the Program. Credit Agreement and Other Debt On November 25, 2013, ESND and ECO, entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “2013 Note Purchase Agreement”) with the note purchasers identified therein (collectively, the “Note Purchasers”). Pursuant to the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, on January 15, 2014, ECO issued and the Note Purchasers purchased an aggregate of $150 million of senior secured notes due January 15, 2021 (the “2014 Notes”). Interest on the 2014 Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate per annum equal to 3.75%. At the time ECO priced the 2014 Notes, ECO terminated the June 2013 Swap Transaction. After giving effect to the impact of terminating the June 2013 Swap Transaction, the effective per annum interest rate on the 2014 Notes is 3.66%. The effective interest rate on the 2014 Notes increased to 4.285% from July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016 because the Company’s Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement) as of June 30, 2016, exceeded a specified threshold. In connection with the 2017 Credit Agreement, the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement was amended to remove provisions related to the Company’s Leverage Ratio. If ECO elects, or is required, to prepay some or all of the 2014 Notes prior to January 15, 2021, ECO will be obligated to pay a make-whole amount calculated as set forth in the Agreement. The Company’s obligations under the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement are secured by a $165.0 million letter of credit issued under the 2017 Credit Agreement. On July 8, 2013, the Company and ECO entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement (the “2013 Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Agent, and the lenders identified therein. As noted above, the 2013 Credit Agreement was terminated in February 2017. The 2013 Credit Agreement provided for a revolving credit facility with an aggregate committed principal amount of $700 million. The 2013 Credit Agreement also provided for the issuance of letters of credit. The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $12.5 million under the 2013 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2016. Borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement bore 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 Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement). Depending on the Company’s Leverage Ratio, the margin on LIBOR-based loans ranged from 1.00% to 2.00% and on Alternate Base Rate loans ranged from 0.00% to 1.00%. As of December 31, 2016, the applicable margin under the 2013 Credit Agreement was ECO has entered into several interest rate swap transactions to mitigate its floating rate risk on a portion of its total long-term debt. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting policies”, for further details on these swap transactions and their accounting treatment. Obligations of ECO under the 2014 Notes are guaranteed by ESND and certain of ECO’s domestic subsidiaries. The 2017 Credit Agreement and the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement contain additional representations and warranties, covenants and events of default that were customary for these types of agreements. The 2017 Credit Agreement and the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement contain cross-default provisions. As a result, if a termination event occurs under either of those agreements, the lenders under the 2017 Credit Agreement may cease to make additional loans and the lenders under both agreements may accelerate any loans then outstanding and/or terminate the agreements to which they are party. Debt maturities as of December 31, 2016, were as follows (in millions): Year Amount 2018 (1) $ 460.4 2021 150.0 Total $ 610.4 (1) The debt maturity in 2018 was effectively repaid in February 2017 with borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement totaling $522.5 million due 2022.

Leases, Contractual Obligations

Leases, Contractual Obligations and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Leases Contractual Obligations And Contingencies	12. Leases, Contractual Obligations and Contingencies The Company has entered into non-cancelable long-term leases for certain property and equipment. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2016 having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands): Operating Year Leases 2017 $ 50,747 2018 47,871 2019 44,229 2020 34,994 2021 24,290 Thereafter 72,113 Total required lease payments $ 274,244 Operating lease expense was approximately $51.0 million, $48.4 million, and $45.1 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Sale-Leaseback In September 2016, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback of its facility in City of Industry, CA. The agreement provided for the sale of the facility for a purchase price of $31.7 million and the subsequent leaseback for a two year period. The lease is classified as an operating lease. As a result, the Company recorded a gain of $20.5 million in “warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses.” A deferred gain of approximately $2.8 million that is being amortized into income over the term of the lease was also recorded. As of December 31, 2016, $1.0 million of the deferred gain is reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet under “other long-term liabilities”, with $1.4 million included as a component of “other current liabilities”. The cash proceeds from the sale were used primarily to pay down long-term debt.

Pension Plans and Defined Contr

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan	13. Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan Pension Plans As of December 31, 2016, the Company has pension plans covering approximately 2,250 of its active associates. A non-contributory plan covering non-union associates provides pension benefits that are based on years of credited service and a percentage of annual compensation. Beginning in 2009, benefits were frozen in the plan covering non-union employees. A non-contributory plan covering union members generally provides benefits of stated amounts based on years of service. The Company funds the plans in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Company uses December 31 as its measurement date to determine its pension obligations. Change in Projected Benefit Obligation The following table sets forth the plans’ changes in Projected Benefit Obligation for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 211,389 $ 224,086 Service cost—benefit earned during the period 1,269 1,495 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 8,073 8,997 Actuarial (gain) loss 4,547 (16,846 ) Benefits paid (2,952 ) (6,343 ) Settlements (40,073 ) - Benefit obligation at end of year $ 182,253 $ 211,389 The accumulated benefit obligation for the plans as of December 31, 2016 totaled $182.3 million. The Company has taken several actions to mitigate the interest rate, mortality and investment risks of the Essendant Pension Plan. These actions include a limited-time voluntary lump-sum pension offering to eligible, terminated, vested plan participants As a result of the lump sum offer, a settlement and remeasurement of the Essendant Pension Plan was performed. The remeasurement and activity in 2016 had no cash impact to the Company since the payments were made by the Essendant Pension Trust, and was a component in a $7.1 million improvement to the net funded status of the plan, therefore reducing other long-term liabilities. However, the settlement caused a loss of $12.5 million, which was partially offset by the $14.9 million reduction in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to the unrecognized actuarial loss, for a net impact on shareholders’ equity of $2.4 million as of December 31, 2016 when compared to December 31, 2015. This offer also reduces future pension expense recognized by the Company and volatility related to future obligations of the plan. Plan Assets and Investment Policies and Strategies The following table sets forth the change in the plans’ assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 162,977 $ 173,771 Actual return on plan assets 12,136 (6,451 ) Company contributions 10,000 2,000 Benefits paid (2,952 ) (6,343 ) Settlements (40,073 ) - Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 142,088 $ 162,977 The Company’s pension plan investment allocations, as a percentage of the fair value of total plan assets, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, by asset category are as follows: Asset Category 2016 2015 Cash 0.6 % 0.4 % Equity securities 50.8 % 37.8 % Fixed income 27.4 % 40.5 % Real assets 4.8 % 10.8 % Hedge funds 11.9 % 10.5 % Master Limited Partnerships 4.5 % - Total 100.0 % 100.0 % The investment policies and strategies for the Company’s pension plan assets are established with the goals of generating above-average investment returns over time, while containing risks within acceptable levels and providing adequate liquidity for the payment of plan obligations. The Company recognizes that there typically are tradeoffs among these objectives, and strives to minimize risk associated with a given expected return. The Company’s defined benefit plan assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are invested primarily in a diversified mix of fixed income investments and equity securities. The Company establishes target ranges for investment allocation and sets specific allocations. The target allocations for the non-union plan assets are 45.0% fixed income, 36.0% equity securities, 9.0% real assets, and 10.0% hedge funds. The target allocations for the union plan assets are 16.0% fixed income, 62.0% equity securities, 12.0% real assets and 10.0% hedge funds. Equity securities include investments in large cap and small cap corporations located in the U.S. and a mix of both international and emerging market corporations. Fixed income securities include investment grade bonds and U.S. treasuries. Other types of investments include commodity futures, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and hedge funds. Fair values for equity and fixed income securities are primarily based on valuations for identical instruments in active markets. The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 by asset category are as follows: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Quoted Prices In Significant Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Identical Assets Inputs Inputs Asset Category Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash $ 874 $ 874 $ - $ - Equity Securities U.S. Large Cap (a) 27,779 27,779 - - International (b) 21,960 21,960 - - Emerging Markets (c) 12,504 12,504 - - U.S. Small Cap (d) 9,974 9,974 - - Fixed Income U.S. Fixed Income (e) 36,778 36,778 - - U.S. Inflation Protected Bonds (f) 403 403 - - High Yield Bonds (g) 912 912 - - International Fixed Income (h) 807 807 - - Real Assets Domestic Real Estate (i) 4,204 4,204 - - Commodities (j) 2,563 2,563 - - Hedge Funds Hedge Funds (k) 16,962 - 16,962 - Master Limited Partnerships (l) Master Limited Partnerships 6,368 6,368 - - Total $ 142,088 $ 125,126 $ 16,962 $ - (a) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, large capitalization companies domiciled predominantly in the U.S. (b) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund invests in common stocks of companies domiciled in developed market countries outside of the U.S. (c) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded companies domiciled in emerging market countries. (d) Two daily mutual fund investments with different investment styles (one core, one value, one growth) that invest in publicly traded small capitalization companies. The majority of holdings are domiciled in the U.S. though the funds may hold international stocks. (e) (f) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and whose principal is adjusted quarterly based on inflation. (g) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, higher-quality (top-tier BB and B rated) corporate high yield bonds. (h) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds of governments, agencies and companies domiciled in countries outside of the U.S. ( i ) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded REITs. This is an index mutual fund that tracks the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. The fund normally invests at least 98% of assets that are included in the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. (j) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund combines a commodities position, typically through swap agreements, with a portfolio of inflation indexed bonds and other fixed income securities. The commodities position is constructed to track the performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index. (k) Two separately managed funds of hedge funds. These funds seek attractive risk-adjusted returns through investments in a well-diversified group of managers that employ a variety of unique investment strategies. They target low volatility and low correlation to traditional asset classes. These funds may allocate their assets among a select group of non-traditional portfolio managers that invest or trade in a wide range of securities and other instruments. (l) A publically traded, managed fund of master limited partnerships that primarily derives revenue from energy infrastructure assets or activities. Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Quoted Prices In Significant Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Identical Assets Inputs Inputs Asset Category Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash $ 655 $ 655 $ - $ - Equity Securities U.S. Large Cap (a) 23,072 23,072 - - International (b) 18,211 18,211 - - Emerging Markets (c) 13,127 13,127 - - U.S. Small Cap (d) 7,256 7,256 - - Fixed Income U.S. Fixed Income (e) 59,517 59,517 - - U.S. Inflation Protected Bonds (f) 1,236 1,236 - - High Yield Bonds (g) 2,295 2,295 - - International Fixed Income (h) 2,900 2,900 - - Real Assets Domestic Real Estate (i) 10,464 10,464 - - Commodities (J) 7,089 7,089 - - Hedge Funds Hedge Funds (k) 17,155 - 17,155 - Total $ 162,977 $ 145,822 $ 17,155 $ - (a) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, large capitalization companies domiciled predominantly in the U.S. (b) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund invests in common stocks of companies domiciled in developed market countries outside of the U.S. (c) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded companies domiciled in emerging market countries. (d) Three daily mutual fund investments with different investment styles (one core, one value, one growth) that invest in publicly traded small capitalization companies. The majority of holdings are domiciled in the U.S. though the funds may hold international stocks. (e) Principally consists of a separately managed fixed income portfolio utilized to match the duration of plan liabilities. This liability-driven investment portfolio is comprised of Treasury securities including STRIPS and zero coupon bonds, as well as high quality corporate bonds. Also includes a daily valued mutual fund that invests in publically traded U.S. government, asset-backed, mortgage-backed and corporate fixed-income securities. (f) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and whose principal is adjusted quarterly based on inflation. (g) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, higher-quality (top-tier BB and B rated) corporate high yield bonds. (h) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds of governments, agencies and companies domiciled in countries outside of the U.S. ( i ) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded REITs. This is an index mutual fund that tracks the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. The fund normally invests at least 98% of assets that are included in the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. (j) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund combines a commodities position, typically through swap agreements, with a portfolio of inflation indexed bonds and other fixed income securities. The commodities position is constructed to track the performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index. (k) Two separately managed funds of hedge funds. These funds seek attractive risk-adjusted returns through investments in a well-diversified group of managers that employ a variety of unique investment strategies. They target low volatility and low correlation to traditional asset classes. These funds may allocate their assets among a select group of non-traditional portfolio managers that invest or trade in a wide range of securities and other instruments. Plan Funded Status The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Funded status of the plan $ (40,165 ) $ (48,412 ) Unrecognized prior service cost 2,574 2,869 Unrecognized net actuarial loss 58,957 74,461 Net amount recognized $ 21,366 $ 28,918 Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Accrued benefit liability $ (40,165 ) $ (48,412 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 61,531 77,330 Net amount recognized $ 21,366 $ 28,918 Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 for pension and supplemental benefit plans includes the following components (in thousands): Pension Benefits For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Service cost - benefit earned during the period $ 1,269 $ 1,495 $ 1,069 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 8,073 8,997 8,960 Expected return on plan assets (9,730 ) (11,217 ) (10,286 ) Amortization of prior service cost 295 296 182 Amortization of actuarial loss 5,134 5,862 3,674 Settlements 12,510 - - Net periodic pension cost $ 17,551 $ 5,433 $ 3,599 The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the net periodic benefit cost during 2017 are approximately $4.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Assumptions Used The following tables summarize the Company’s actuarial assumptions for discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on plan assets: 2016 2015 2014 Pension plan assumptions Assumed discount rate, general 4.18% 4.52% 4.09% Assumed discount rate, union 4.22% 4.55% 4.16% Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, general 6.30% 6.50% 6.30% Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, union 6.20% 6.30% 7.30% To select the appropriate actuarial assumptions, management relied on current market conditions, historical information and consultation with and input from the Company’s outside actuaries. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on historical returns and the future expectation of returns for each asset category, as well as the target asset allocation of the asset portfolio. Contributions In February 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved cash contributions to the Company’s pension plans, totaling $5.0 million to the Essendant Union Employee Pension Plan and $5.0 million to the Essendant Pension Plan. Additional fundings, if any, for 2017 have not yet been determined. Estimated Future Benefit Payments The estimated future benefit payments under the Company’s pension plans, excluding the impact of future lump sum offerings, are as follows (in thousands): Amounts 2017 $ 9,198 2018 7,984 2019 8,833 2020 9,292 2021 9,027 2022-2026 50,839 Defined Contribution Plan The Company has a defined contribution plan. Salaried associates and non-union hourly paid associates are eligible to participate after completing six consecutive months of employment. The plan permits associates to have contributions made as 401(k) salary deferrals on their behalf, or as voluntary after-tax contributions, and provides for Company contributions, or contributions matching associates’ salary deferral contributions, at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Expense associated with the Company contributions to match associates’ contributions were approximately $7.1 million, $5.9 million and $5.5 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred Stock	14. Preferred Stock ESND’s authorized capital shares include 15 million shares of preferred stock. The rights and preferences of preferred stock are established by ESND’s Board of Directors upon issuance. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, ESND had no preferred stock outstanding and all 15 million shares are classified as undesignated preferred stock.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	15. Income Taxes The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands): For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Currently Payable Federal $ 34,867 $ 67,702 $ 72,513 State 5,255 8,387 8,334 Foreign 1,305 1,614 805 Total currently payable 41,427 77,703 81,652 Deferred, net Federal (9,554 ) (20,929 ) (9,510 ) State (779 ) (1,778 ) (1,085 ) Foreign (291 ) (455 ) (284 ) Total deferred, net (10,624 ) (23,162 ) (10,879 ) Provision for income taxes $ 30,803 $ 54,541 $ 70,773 The Company’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 varied from the statutory federal income tax rate as set forth in the following table (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Amount % of Pre-tax Income Amount % of Pre-tax Income Amount % of Pre-tax Income Tax provision based on the federal statutory rate $ 33,130 35.0 % $ 3,569 35.0 % $ 64,011 35.0 % State and local income taxes—net of federal income tax benefit 2,639 2.8 % 374 3.6 % 4,362 2.4 % Impairment of goodwill - - 47,468 465.5 % (4 ) - Valuation allowances (4,265 ) -4.5 % 1,217 11.9 % 3,027 1.7 % Tax effects of foreign dividend payments 1,756 1.8 % - - - - Research and Development tax credit (1,237 ) -1.3 % - - - - Non-deductible and other (1,220 ) -1.3 % 1,913 18.8 % (623 ) -0.4 % Provision for income taxes $ 30,803 32.5 % $ 54,541 534.8 % $ 70,773 38.7 % The deferred tax assets and liabilities resulted from temporary differences in the recognition of certain items for financial and tax accounting purposes. The sources of these differences and the related tax effects were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Accrued expenses $ 16,742 $ - $ 14,287 $ - Allowance for doubtful accounts 15,155 - 10,355 - Depreciation and amortization - 20,643 - 24,362 Intangibles arising from acquisitions - 22,600 - 25,034 Inventory reserves and adjustments - 17,900 - 16,086 Pension and post-retirement 11,700 - 14,889 - Share-based compensation 6,627 - 5,721 - Income tax credits, capital losses, and net operating losses 10,790 - 14,462 - Restructuring costs 1,288 - 5,442 - Other 921 - 1,026 - Total Deferred 63,223 61,143 66,182 65,482 Valuation Allowance (5,035 ) - (9,189 ) - Net Deferred $ 58,188 $ 61,143 $ 56,993 $ 65,482 Valuation allowances principally relate to federal capital loss carryovers, state tax credits, and net operating losses. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has state tax credit carryforwards of $10.8 million that expire by 2021, state net operating loss carryforwards of $0.6 million that expire by 2033, and acquired federal net operating losses of $5.8 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes The following table shows the changes in gross unrecognized tax benefits, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Beginning Balance, January 1 $ 3,350 $ 3,205 $ 3,108 Additions based on tax positions taken during a prior period 713 1 123 Reductions based on tax positions taken during a prior period (32 ) (14 ) (11 ) Additions based on tax positions taken during the current period 103 425 382 Reductions related to settlement of tax matters (52 ) (46 ) (70 ) Reductions related to lapses of applicable statutes of limitation (252 ) (221 ) (327 ) Ending Balance, December 31 $ 3,830 $ 3,350 $ 3,205 The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate are $2.6 million, $2.2 million, and $2.1 million, respectively. The Company recognizes net interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The gross amount of interest and penalties reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $0.3 million, $0.1 million, and zero, respectively. The Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 include $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, accrued for the potential payment of interest and penalties. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax returns for 2013 and subsequent years remains subject to examination by tax authorities. In addition, the Company’s state income tax returns for the 2008 and subsequent tax years remain subject to examination by state and local tax authorities. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS and a number of state and local examinations are currently ongoing. Due to the potential for resolution of ongoing examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible that the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months by a range of zero to $1.3 million.

Other Assets and Liabilities

Other Assets and Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Assets and Liabilities	16. Other Assets and Liabilities Other assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Other Long-Term Assets: Investment in deferred compensation $ 4,776 $ 5,440 Long-term prepaid assets 34,307 26,291 Long-term income tax asset 3,423 3,412 Other 2,703 2,205 Total other long-term assets $ 45,209 $ 37,348 Other Long-Term Liabilities: Accrued pension obligation $ 40,165 $ 48,412 Deferred rent 22,561 18,948 Deferred directors compensation 4,786 5,453 Long-term swap liability 205 469 Long-term income tax liability 3,999 3,832 Long-term merger expenses 1,812 12,965 Long-term workers compensation liability 9,517 8,039 Other 1,602 3,370 Total other long-term liabilities $ 84,647 $ 101,488

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	17. Fair Value Measurements The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities, including interest rate swaps, at fair value on a recurring basis, based on market rates of the Company’s positions and other observable interest rates. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is determined by using quoted market forward rates (level 2 inputs) and reflects the present value of the amount the Company would pay for contracts involving the same notional amount and maturity date. 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: • Level 1—Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; • Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and • Level 3—Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company which reflect those that a market participant would use. Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures each quarter. Fair Value Measurements 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 - as of December 31, 2015 $ 91 $ - $ 91 $ - Liabilities Interest rate swap - as of December 31, 2016 $ 205 $ - $ 205 $ - - as of December 31, 2015 $ 469 $ - $ 469 $ - The carrying amount of accounts receivable at December 31, 2016 and 2015, including $500.3 million and $448.6 million, respectively, of receivables sold under the Receivables Securitization Program, approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of this item. As of December 31, 2016, no assets or liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Legal Matters

Legal Matters	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Matters	18. Legal Matters The Company has been named as a defendant in two lawsuits alleging that the Company sent unsolicited fax advertisements to the named plaintiffs, as well as 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"). One lawsuit was initially filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on May 1, 2015, and subsequently refiled in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The other lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 14, 2016. The two lawsuits have since been consolidated for discovery, and assigned to the same judge. Plaintiffs in both lawsuits seek certification of 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. In each lawsuit, the Company is vigorously contesting class certification and denies that any violations occurred. Litigation of this kind is likely to lead to settlement negotiations, including negotiations prompted by pre-trial civil court procedures. Regardless of whether the lawsuits are resolved at trial or through settlement, the Company believes that a loss associated with resolution of pending claims is probable. The Company has recorded a $4.0 million, pre-tax reserve within the warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses line item in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company is continuing to evaluate its defenses based on its internal review and investigation of prior events, new information and future circumstances. Final disposition of the lawsuits, whether through settlement or through trial, may result in a loss materially in excess of the recorded amount. However, a range of reasonably possible losses is not estimable at this time. 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, results of operations or cash flows.

Selected Quarterly Financial Da

Selected Quarterly Financial Data-Unaudited	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data-Unaudited	19. Selected Quarterly Financial Data—Unaudited First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total ( 1) (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Year Ended December 31, 2016: Net sales $ 1,352,296 $ 1,354,523 $ 1,407,504 $ 1,254,699 $ 5,369,022 Gross profit 200,082 195,823 198,854 165,102 759,861 Net income (loss) ( 2) 16,530 12,933 36,742 (2,353 ) 63,852 Net income (loss) per share—basic $ 0.45 $ 0.35 $ 1.00 $ (0.06 ) $ 1.75 Net income (loss) per share—diluted ( 3) $ 0.45 $ 0.35 $ 0.99 $ (0.06 ) $ 1.73 Year Ended December 31, 2015: Net sales $ 1,332,375 $ 1,341,799 $ 1,391,545 $ 1,297,327 $ 5,363,046 Gross profit 200,395 210,119 225,143 200,838 836,495 Net income (loss) ( 4) (6,007 ) 29,834 27,667 (95,836 ) (44,342 ) Net income (loss) per share—basic $ (0.16 ) $ 0.79 $ 0.74 $ (2.61 ) $ (1.18 ) Net income (loss) per share—diluted ( 3) $ (0.16 ) $ 0.78 $ 0.74 $ (2.61 ) $ (1.18 ) (1) As a result of changes in the number of common and common equivalent shares during the year, the sum of quarterly earnings per share will not necessarily equal earnings per share for the total year. (2) 2016 results were impacted by the following items, net of taxes: 2016 factors First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (dollars in thousands) Gain on sale of City of Industry facility $ - $ - $ (17,752 ) $ (1,651 ) $ (19,403 ) Settlement charge related to the defined benefit plan - 7,328 261 216 7,805 Litigation reserve - - - 2,492 2,492 Severance costs for operating leadership - - 776 - 776 State income tax reserve adjustment - - - 417 417 Restructuring charges 155 - (754 ) - (599 ) Tax impact of a dividend from a foreign subsidiary - - 1,666 - 1,666 (3) As a result of the net loss in the quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2015, the effect of potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive and have been omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, consistent with GAAP. (4) 2015 results were impacted by the following items, net of taxes: First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (dollars in thousands) Impairment of Industrial goodwill and intangible assets $ - $ - $ - $ 118,076 $ 118,076 Restructuring charges 3,989 (86 ) 124 7,489 11,516 Loss on disposition of business and related costs 13,420 710 2,918 - 17,048 Impairment of assets and accelerated amortization related to rebranding 6,487 318 317 307 7,429 Impairment of seller notes - - 6,658 - 6,658

Schedule II Valuation and Quali

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II ESSENDANT INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 Description (in thousands) Balance at Beginning of Period Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses Deductions ( 1) Balance at End of Period Allowance for doubtful accounts ( 2) 2016 $ 17,810 5,208 (4,822 ) $ 18,196 2015 $ 19,725 3,231 (5,146 ) $ 17,810 2014 $ 20,608 4,898 (5,781 ) $ 19,725 (1)—net of any recoveries. (2)—represents allowance for doubtful accounts related to the retained interest in receivables sold and accounts receivable, net.

Summary of Significant Accoun29

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For all acquisitions, account balances and results of operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements as of the date acquired.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Various assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of significant accounting estimates. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions, product mix, and in some cases, actuarial techniques. The Company periodically reevaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when a service is rendered or when title to the product has transferred to the customer. Management records an estimate for future product returns related to revenue recognized in the current period. This estimate is based on historical product return trends and the gross margin associated with those returns. Management also records customer rebates that are based on annual sales volume to the Company’s customers. Annual rebates earned by customers include growth components, volume hurdle components, and advertising allowances. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are treated as revenues and recognized at the time title to the product has transferred to the customer. Freight costs are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of cost of goods sold and are not netted against shipping and handling revenues. Net sales do not include sales tax charged to customers.
Customer Rebates	Customer Rebates Customer rebates and discounts are common practice in the business products industry and have a significant impact on the Company’s overall sales and gross margin. Customer rebates include volume rebates, sales growth incentives, advertising allowances, participation in promotions and other miscellaneous discount programs. These rebates are paid to customers monthly, quarterly and/or annually. Such rebates are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a reduction of sales. Prepaid customer rebates were $47.9 million and $36.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included as a component of “Other current assets” and “Other assets”. Accrued customer rebates were $65.3 million and $63.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included as a component of “Accrued liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation At December 31, 2016, the Company had two active share-based employee compensation plans covering key associates and/or non-employee directors of the Company. See Note 5 - “Share-Based Compensation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents Under the Company’s cash management system, the Company utilizes available borrowings, on an as-needed basis, to fund the clearing of checks as they are presented for payment. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, outstanding checks totaling $34.3 million and $46.0 million, respectively, were included in “Accounts payable” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to customers. Accounts receivable, as shown in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, include such trade accounts receivable and are net of allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts. The Company makes judgments as to the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on historical trends and future expectations. Management estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts, which addresses the collectability of trade accounts receivable. This allowance adjusts gross trade accounts receivable downward to its estimated collectible or net realizable value. To determine the allowance for doubtful accounts, management reviews specific customer risks and the Company’s trade accounts receivable aging. Uncollectible trade receivable balances are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is determined that the trade receivable balance is uncollectible.
Supplier Allowances	Supplier Allowances Supplier allowances (fixed or variable) are common practice in the business products industry and have a significant impact on the Company’s overall gross margin. Receivables related to supplier allowances totaled $86.9 million and $111.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These receivables are included in “Accounts receivable” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the Company’s annual supplier allowances and incentives are variable, based solely on the volume and mix of the Company’s product purchases from suppliers. These allowances are recorded based on the Company’s annual inventory purchase volumes and product mix and are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a reduction to cost of goods sold, thereby reflecting the net inventory purchase cost. The remaining portion of the Company’s annual supplier allowances and incentives are fixed and are earned based primarily on supplier participation in specific Company advertising and marketing publications. Fixed allowances and incentives are taken to income through cost of goods sold as inventory is sold. Supplier allowances and incentives attributable to unsold inventory are carried as a component of net inventory cost.
Inventories	Inventories Approximately 98.3% and 98.4% of total inventory as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 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 $147.9 million (includes $1.5 million LIFO reserve reduction related to Nestor acquired in 2015) and $147.8 million higher than reported as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The change in the LIFO reserve in 2016 included a LIFO liquidation relating to decrements in five of the Company’s eight LIFO pools. These decrements resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs in prior years as compared with the cost of current year purchases. This liquidation resulted in LIFO income of $0.8 million which was more than offset by LIFO expense of $2.4 million related to current inflation for an overall net increase in cost of sales of $1.6 million. The change in the LIFO reserve in 2015 included a LIFO liquidation relating to decrements in three of the Company’s eight LIFO pools. These decrements resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs in prior years as compared with the cost of current year purchases. This liquidation resulted in LIFO income of $1.1 million which was more than offset by LIFO expense of $7.8 million related to current inflation for an overall net increase in cost of sales of $6.7 million. The change in the LIFO reserve in 2014 included a LIFO liquidation relating to decrements in three of the Company’s seven LIFO pools. These decrements resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs in prior years as compared with the cost of current year purchases. This liquidation resulted in LIFO income of $0.9 million which was more than offset by LIFO expense of $18.3 million related to current inflation for an overall net increase in cost of sales of $17.4 million.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are determined by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful life assigned to fixtures and equipment is from two to ten years; the estimated useful life assigned to buildings does not exceed forty years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or the term of the applicable lease. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Software Capitalization	Software Capitalization The Company capitalizes internal use software development costs in accordance with guidance on accounting for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not to exceed ten years. Capitalized software amortization was $8.8 million, $8.5 million and $7.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capitalized software is included in “Property, plant and equipment” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total net capitalized software development costs are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Capitalized software development costs $ 97,010 $ 98,873 Accumulated amortization (71,617 ) (73,723 ) Net capitalized software development costs $ 25,393 $ 25,150
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets reflected $297.9 million and $299.4 million of goodwill, and $83.7 million and $96.4 million in net intangible assets, respectively. See Note 6 - “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” to the consolidated financial statements for more information.
Insured Loss Liability Estimates	Insured Loss Liability Estimates The Company is primarily responsible for retained liabilities related to workers’ compensation, vehicle, and certain employee health benefits. The Company records expense for paid and open claims and an expense for claims incurred but not reported based upon historical trends and certain assumptions about future events. The Company has an annual per-person maximum cap, provided by a third-party insurance company, on certain employee medical benefits. In addition, the Company has a per-occurrence maximum on workers’ compensation and auto claims.
Leases	Leases The Company leases real estate and personal property under operating leases. Certain operating leases include incentives from landlords including, landlord “build-out” allowances, rent escalation clauses and rent holidays or periods in which rent is not payable for a certain amount of time. The Company accounts for landlord “build-out” allowances as deferred rent at the time of possession and amortizes this deferred rent on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company also recognizes leasehold improvements associated with the “build-out” allowances and amortizes these improvements over the shorter of the term of the lease or the expected life of the respective improvements. The Company accounts for rent escalation and rent holidays as deferred rent at the time of possession and amortizes this deferred rent on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. As of December 31, 2016, any capital leases to which the Company is a party are immaterial to the Company’s financial statements.
Pension Benefits	Pension Benefits Calculating the Company’s obligations and expenses related to its union and non-union pension obligation requires selection and use of certain actuarial assumptions. As more fully discussed in Note 13 – “Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan”, these actuarial assumptions include discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, and life expectancy of plan participants. To select the appropriate actuarial assumptions, management relies on current market conditions and historical information. Pension expense for 2016 was $5.1 million, compared to $5.4 million and $3.6 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. In 2016, as a result of a lump sum offer, a settlement and remeasurement of the Essendant Pension Plan was performed and resulted in a settlement loss of $12.5 million, for an aggregate pension expense of $17.6 million in 2016. See Note 13 – “Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan” for more information.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (net), foreign exchange hedge assets, accounts payable, debt, and long-term interest swap liability, approximates their net carrying values. The fair value of the foreign exchange hedge is estimated based upon quoted market rates and the fair value of the interest rate swaps is estimated based upon the amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements as of December 31 of each year. See Note 17 - “Fair Value Measurements”, for further information.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments The Company’s risk management policies allow for the use of derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposure subject to the management, direction and control of its financial officers. Risk management practices, including the use of all derivative financial instruments, are presented to the Board of Directors for approval. The policies do not allow such derivative financial instruments to be used for speculative purposes. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet date at their fair value. The Company’s interest rate swap is classified as a cash flow hedge in accordance with accounting guidance on derivative instruments and hedging activities as it is hedging the variability of cash flow to be paid by the Company. The Company uses foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge certain of its foreign exchange rate exposures related to inventory purchases, and classifies the designation contracts as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, until earnings are affected by the forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flow, and then are reported in current earnings. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions or variability of cash flow. The Company formally assesses, at both the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flow of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge then hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively in accordance with accounting guidance on derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes. The Company estimates actual current tax expense and assesses temporary differences that exist due to differing treatments of items for tax and financial statement purposes. These temporary differences result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. A provision has not been made for deferred U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries as these earnings have historically been permanently invested except to the extent a liability was recorded in purchase accounting for the undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries of O.K.I. Supply Co. as of the date of the acquisition. It is not practicable to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability for such unremitted foreign earnings. The current and deferred tax balances and income tax expense recognized by the Company are based on management’s interpretation of the tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. Income tax expense also reflects the Company’s best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, interpretation of tax laws, and tax planning. Future changes in tax laws, changes in projected levels of taxable income, and tax planning could impact the effective tax rate and current and deferred tax balances recorded by the Company. Management’s estimates as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best judgment giving consideration to all currently available facts and circumstances. As such, these estimates may require adjustment in the future, as additional facts become known or as circumstances change. Further, in accordance with the accounting guidance on income taxes, the tax effects from uncertain tax positions are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements, only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. See Note 15 – “Income Taxes” to the consolidated financial statements for more information.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into U.S. currency at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions included a $11.1 million loss related to the sale of the Mexican subsidiary in 2015.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The Company currently anticipates adopting the standard using the modified retrospective approach, which will require the Company to recognize the cumulative effect of initial adoption of the standard for all contracts as of, and new contracts after, the date of initial application. Based on the Company’s initial assessment and detailed inspection of the revenue streams of the organization, the impact of the application of the new standard will most likely result in recognition of financing components for certain rebate arrangements that have significant, implied terms and are expected to result in a reduction of net revenues related to implicit interest associated with the significant financing components of those rebate arrangements. The Company also expects other disclosure changes resulting from certain policy elections and practical expedient uses, or allowable divergences from authoritative guidance. The Company expects that revenue recognition related to the processing, fulfillment and shipment of various warehoused goods to remain substantially unchanged. While the Company has not completed the full assessment it will continue to monitor for modifications required by the standards throughout the year ended December 31, 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) that requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases other than those that meet the definition of short-term leases. For short-term leases, lessees may elect an accounting policy by class of underlying asset under which these assets and liabilities are not recognized and lease payments are generally recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. This standard will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which eliminates the second step of the two-step goodwill and indefinite lived intangible impairment test. Specifically, the standard requires an entity to perform its interim or annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized could not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company notes that the new guidance would only be impactful on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the event that an interim or annual goodwill impairment is recognized.

Summary of Significant Accoun30

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Capitalized Software Development Costs	Capitalized software is included in “Property, plant and equipment” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total net capitalized software development costs are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Capitalized software development costs $ 97,010 $ 98,873 Accumulated amortization (71,617 ) (73,723 ) Net capitalized software development costs $ 25,393 $ 25,150

Change in Accounting Principl31

Change in Accounting Principles (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Summary of adjustments made to the consolidated financial statements	(dollars in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2014 Previous Method As Reported Effect of Change Consolidated Statement of Income Cost of goods sold $ 4,516,704 $ 4,524,676 $ 7,972 Gross profit 810,501 802,529 (7,972 ) Warehousing, marketing, and administrative expenses 592,050 595,673 3,623 Income before income taxes 194,483 182,888 (11,595 ) Income tax expense 75,285 70,773 (4,512 ) Net income 119,198 112,115 (7,083 ) Net income per share Basic $ 3.08 $ 2.90 $ (0.18 ) Diluted $ 3.05 $ 2.87 $ (0.18 ) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Net income $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) Comprehensive income 96,295 89,212 (7,083 ) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net income $ 119,198 $ 112,115 $ (7,083 ) Deferred income taxes (6,367 ) (10,879 ) (4,512 ) Inventories (30,319 ) (18,724 ) 11,595 Cash provided by operating activities 77,133 77,133 - Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings at beginning of year $ 1,444,238 $ 1,438,870 $ (5,368 ) Retained earnings at end of year 1,541,675 1,529,224 (12,451 )

Acquisitions & Dispositions (Ta

Acquisitions & Dispositions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Purchase Price Allocation	The final allocations of the purchase prices were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO MEDCO NESTOR Purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 32,225 $ 145,873 $ 39,983 Accounts receivable (2,956 ) (44,815 ) (9,230 ) Inventories (13,051 ) (55,491 ) (12,067 ) 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 ) (16,930 ) Total assets acquired (29,564 ) (146,663 ) (40,569 ) Accounts payable 16,911 32,383 4,992 Accrued liabilities 2,580 5,542 1,943 Deferred income taxes 3,453 2,167 3,287 Other long-term liabilities 90 52 76 Total liabilities assumed 23,034 40,144 10,298 Goodwill $ 25,695 $ 39,354 $ 9,712
Summary of Purchased Identifiable Intangible Assets	The purchased identifiable intangible assets were as follows (amounts in thousands): CPO MEDCO NESTOR Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Total Estimated Life Customer relationships $ 5,200 3 years $ 37,590 3-15 years $ 15,570 13 years Trademark 7,600 15 years 2,410 1.5-15 years 1,360 2.5-15 years Total $ 12,800 $ 40,000 $ 16,930

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense	The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Numerator: Pre-tax expense $ 10,202 $ 7,895 $ 8,195 Tax effect (3,846 ) (3,000 ) (3,114 ) After tax expense $ 6,356 $ 4,895 $ 5,081 Denominator: Denominator for basic shares—Weighted average shares 36,580 37,457 38,705 Denominator for diluted shares—Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities 36,918 37,457 39,130 Net expense per share: Net expense per share—basic $ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 Net expense per share—diluted $ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.13
Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Options Outstanding, Exercisable and Exercised	As of December 31, Year ended December 31, Outstanding Exercisable Exercised 2016 $ - $ - $ 535 2015 1,253 1,253 902 2014 6,092 4,543 537 As of December 31, Year ended December 31, Outstanding Vested 2016 $ 29,056 $ 4,705 2015 34,981 8,159 2014 45,928 10,976
Schedule of Stock Options	The following table summarizes the transactions, excluding restricted stock, under the Company’s equity compensation plans for the last three years: Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Average Average Exercise Exercise Exercise 2016 Price 2015 Price 2014 Price Options outstanding—January 1 448,687 $ 33.31 727,378 $ 33.81 812,160 $ 33.70 Granted - - - - 5,538 45.89 Exercised (82,228 ) 24.94 (77,918 ) 24.11 (32,610 ) 24.43 Cancelled (35,988 ) 38.69 (200,773 ) 38.71 (57,710 ) 38.74 Expired (100,938 ) 31.13 - - - - Options outstanding—December 31 229,533 $ 36.42 448,687 $ 33.31 727,378 $ 33.81 Number of options exercisable 229,533 $ 36.42 195,402 $ 26.11 273,320 $ 25.54
Schedule of Proceeds Related to Option Exercises and Related Tax Benefits	The following table summarizes proceeds related to option exercises and related tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Proceeds from options exercised 2,097 1,939 814 Tax Benefit 199 340 203
Schedule of Outstanding and Exercisable Options Granted	The following table summarizes outstanding and exercisable options granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016: Remaining Contractual Exercise Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Exercisable 25.00-30.00 60,216 0.6 60,216 30.01-35.00 2,246 0.4 2,246 35.01-40.00 161,533 6.1 161,533 45.01-50.00 5,538 7.0 5,538 Total 229,533 229,533
Schedule of Restricted Stock and RSU Grants and Changes	The following table summarizes restricted stock and RSU transactions for the last three years. Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Average Average Grant Date Grant Date Grant Date Restricted Stock and RSUs 2016 Fair Value 2015 Fair Value 2014 Fair Value Nonvested—January 1 1,076,000 $ 36.13 1,089,374 $ 31.23 1,041,189 $ 31.24 Granted 830,601 24.34 624,789 36.79 429,759 40.52 Vested (196,394 ) 37.32 (212,537 ) 33.94 (237,739 ) 41.59 Cancelled (319,965 ) 36.31 (425,626 ) 34.58 (143,835 ) 34.04 Nonvested—December 31 1,390,242 $ 28.88 1,076,000 $ 36.13 1,089,374 $ 31.23

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 299,355 Purchase accounting adjustments (1,858 ) Currency translation adjustment 409 Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 297,906
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 (in thousands): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 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 $ 137,452 $ (62,235 ) $ 75,217 16 $ 137,938 $ (51,357 ) $ 86,581 16 Non-compete agreements 4,649 (4,260 ) 389 4 4,644 (4,260 ) 384 4 Trademarks 13,704 (5,620 ) 8,084 14 13,688 (4,240 ) 9,448 14 Total $ 155,805 $ (72,115 ) $ 83,690 $ 156,270 $ (59,857 ) $ 96,413
Summary of Amortization Expense Expected to be Incurred Over Next Five Years on Intangible Assets	The following table summarizes the amortization expense expected to be incurred over the next five years on intangible assets (in thousands): Year Amounts 2017 $ 10,777 2018 8,039 2019 6,922 2020 6,919 2021 6,919

Severance and Restructuring C35

Severance and Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Expenses, Cash Flows, and Accrued Liabilities Associated with Restructuring Actions	The expenses, cash flows, and accrued liabilities associated with the restructuring actions described above are noted in the following table (in thousands): Expenses Cash flow Accrued Liabilities For the years ended December 31, For the years ended December 31, As of December 31, 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 Fourth Quarter 2015 Action Workforce reduction $ (700 ) $ 11,863 $ 8,954 $ 785 $ 1,424 First quarter 2015 Actions Workforce reduction $ (510 ) $ 5,467 $ 539 $ 3,660 $ 758 Facility closure 254 1,245 686 813 - Total $ (256 ) $ 6,712 $ 1,225 $ 4,473 $ 758

Accumulated Other Comprehensi36

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows: (amounts in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plans Total AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015 $ (9,866 ) $ 146 $ (47,871 ) $ (57,591 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications 1,427 (565 ) (1,299 ) (437 ) Settlement loss reclassified from AOCI - - 7,666 7,666 Amounts reclassified from AOCI - 591 3,315 3,906 Net other comprehensive (loss) income 1,427 26 9,682 11,135 AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (8,439 ) $ 172 $ (38,189 ) $ (46,456 )
Amounts Reclassified Out of AOCI into Income Statement	The following table details the amounts reclassified out of AOCI into the income statement during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Amount Reclassified From AOCI For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, Affected Line Item In The Statement Details About AOCI Components 2016 Where Net Income is Presented Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges Gain on interest rate swap, before tax $ 1,007 Interest expense, net Loss on foreign exchange hedges, before tax (42 ) Cost of goods sold Tax benefit (374 ) Tax provision $ 591 Net of tax Defined benefit pension plan items Amortization of prior service cost and unrecognized loss $ 5,429 Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses Settlement loss 12,510 Defined benefit plan settlement loss Tax benefit (6,958 ) Tax provision 10,981 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax $ 11,572

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Numerator: Net income (loss) $ 63,852 $ (44,342 ) $ 112,115 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares 36,580 37,457 38,705 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted units 338 - 425 Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities 36,918 37,457 39,130 Net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 1.75 $ (1.18 ) $ 2.90 Net income (loss) per share - diluted ( 1) $ 1.73 $ (1.18 ) $ 2.87 (1) As a result of the net loss in the year ended December 31, 2015, the effect of potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive and have been omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, consistent with GAAP.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Sales by Product Category	The following table shows net sales by product category for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Years Ended December 31 2016 (1) 2015 (1) 2014 (1) Janitorial, foodservice and breakroom supplies (JanSan) $ 1,435,476 $ 1,457,993 $ 1,443,242 Technology products 1,347,652 1,363,146 1,447,661 Traditional office products 860,324 860,024 861,649 Industrial supplies 560,682 586,580 601,937 Cut sheet paper 394,650 343,604 465,400 Automotive 316,546 279,966 33,709 Office furniture 298,655 318,870 312,203 Freight and other 155,037 152,863 161,404 Total net sales $ 5,369,022 $ 5,363,046 $ 5,327,205 (1) Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such changes include reclassification of specific products to different product categories and did not impact the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Components	Prior to the closing of the 2017 Credit Agreement noted above, debt consisted of the following amounts (in millions): As of As of December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 2013 Credit Agreement $ 260.4 $ 368.4 2013 Note Purchase Agreement 150.0 150.0 Receivables Securitization Program 200.0 200.0 Capital Lease 0.1 0.1 Transaction Costs (1.5 ) (2.2 ) Total $ 609.0 $ 716.3
Schedule of Debt Maturities	Debt maturities as of December 31, 2016, were as follows (in millions): Year Amount 2018 (1) $ 460.4 2021 150.0 Total $ 610.4 (1) The debt maturity in 2018 was effectively repaid in February 2017 with borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement totaling $522.5 million due 2022.

Leases, Contractual Obligatio40

Leases, Contractual Obligations and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases	The Company has entered into non-cancelable long-term leases for certain property and equipment. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2016 having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands): Operating Year Leases 2017 $ 50,747 2018 47,871 2019 44,229 2020 34,994 2021 24,290 Thereafter 72,113 Total required lease payments $ 274,244

Pension Plans and Defined Con41

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Reconciliation of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligation	The following table sets forth the plans’ changes in Projected Benefit Obligation for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 211,389 $ 224,086 Service cost—benefit earned during the period 1,269 1,495 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 8,073 8,997 Actuarial (gain) loss 4,547 (16,846 ) Benefits paid (2,952 ) (6,343 ) Settlements (40,073 ) - Benefit obligation at end of year $ 182,253 $ 211,389
Schedule of Change in Plan Asset	The following table sets forth the change in the plans’ assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 162,977 $ 173,771 Actual return on plan assets 12,136 (6,451 ) Company contributions 10,000 2,000 Benefits paid (2,952 ) (6,343 ) Settlements (40,073 ) - Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 142,088 $ 162,977
Schedule of Pension Plan Investment Allocations	The Company’s pension plan investment allocations, as a percentage of the fair value of total plan assets, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, by asset category are as follows: Asset Category 2016 2015 Cash 0.6 % 0.4 % Equity securities 50.8 % 37.8 % Fixed income 27.4 % 40.5 % Real assets 4.8 % 10.8 % Hedge funds 11.9 % 10.5 % Master Limited Partnerships 4.5 % - Total 100.0 % 100.0 %
Schedule of Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets	The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 by asset category are as follows: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Quoted Prices In Significant Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Identical Assets Inputs Inputs Asset Category Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash $ 874 $ 874 $ - $ - Equity Securities U.S. Large Cap (a) 27,779 27,779 - - International (b) 21,960 21,960 - - Emerging Markets (c) 12,504 12,504 - - U.S. Small Cap (d) 9,974 9,974 - - Fixed Income U.S. Fixed Income (e) 36,778 36,778 - - U.S. Inflation Protected Bonds (f) 403 403 - - High Yield Bonds (g) 912 912 - - International Fixed Income (h) 807 807 - - Real Assets Domestic Real Estate (i) 4,204 4,204 - - Commodities (j) 2,563 2,563 - - Hedge Funds Hedge Funds (k) 16,962 - 16,962 - Master Limited Partnerships (l) Master Limited Partnerships 6,368 6,368 - - Total $ 142,088 $ 125,126 $ 16,962 $ - (a) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, large capitalization companies domiciled predominantly in the U.S. (b) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund invests in common stocks of companies domiciled in developed market countries outside of the U.S. (c) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded companies domiciled in emerging market countries. (d) Two daily mutual fund investments with different investment styles (one core, one value, one growth) that invest in publicly traded small capitalization companies. The majority of holdings are domiciled in the U.S. though the funds may hold international stocks. (e) (f) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and whose principal is adjusted quarterly based on inflation. (g) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, higher-quality (top-tier BB and B rated) corporate high yield bonds. (h) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds of governments, agencies and companies domiciled in countries outside of the U.S. ( i ) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded REITs. This is an index mutual fund that tracks the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. The fund normally invests at least 98% of assets that are included in the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. (j) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund combines a commodities position, typically through swap agreements, with a portfolio of inflation indexed bonds and other fixed income securities. The commodities position is constructed to track the performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index. (k) Two separately managed funds of hedge funds. These funds seek attractive risk-adjusted returns through investments in a well-diversified group of managers that employ a variety of unique investment strategies. They target low volatility and low correlation to traditional asset classes. These funds may allocate their assets among a select group of non-traditional portfolio managers that invest or trade in a wide range of securities and other instruments. (l) A publically traded, managed fund of master limited partnerships that primarily derives revenue from energy infrastructure assets or activities. Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Quoted Prices In Significant Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Identical Assets Inputs Inputs Asset Category Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash $ 655 $ 655 $ - $ - Equity Securities U.S. Large Cap (a) 23,072 23,072 - - International (b) 18,211 18,211 - - Emerging Markets (c) 13,127 13,127 - - U.S. Small Cap (d) 7,256 7,256 - - Fixed Income U.S. Fixed Income (e) 59,517 59,517 - - U.S. Inflation Protected Bonds (f) 1,236 1,236 - - High Yield Bonds (g) 2,295 2,295 - - International Fixed Income (h) 2,900 2,900 - - Real Assets Domestic Real Estate (i) 10,464 10,464 - - Commodities (J) 7,089 7,089 - - Hedge Funds Hedge Funds (k) 17,155 - 17,155 - Total $ 162,977 $ 145,822 $ 17,155 $ - (a) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, large capitalization companies domiciled predominantly in the U.S. (b) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund invests in common stocks of companies domiciled in developed market countries outside of the U.S. (c) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded companies domiciled in emerging market countries. (d) Three daily mutual fund investments with different investment styles (one core, one value, one growth) that invest in publicly traded small capitalization companies. The majority of holdings are domiciled in the U.S. though the funds may hold international stocks. (e) Principally consists of a separately managed fixed income portfolio utilized to match the duration of plan liabilities. This liability-driven investment portfolio is comprised of Treasury securities including STRIPS and zero coupon bonds, as well as high quality corporate bonds. Also includes a daily valued mutual fund that invests in publically traded U.S. government, asset-backed, mortgage-backed and corporate fixed-income securities. (f) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and whose principal is adjusted quarterly based on inflation. (g) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded, higher-quality (top-tier BB and B rated) corporate high yield bonds. (h) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded bonds of governments, agencies and companies domiciled in countries outside of the U.S. ( i ) A daily valued mutual fund investment. The fund invests in publically traded REITs. This is an index mutual fund that tracks the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. The fund normally invests at least 98% of assets that are included in the Morgan Stanley REIT Index. (j) A daily valued mutual fund investment. This fund combines a commodities position, typically through swap agreements, with a portfolio of inflation indexed bonds and other fixed income securities. The commodities position is constructed to track the performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index. (k) Two separately managed funds of hedge funds. These funds seek attractive risk-adjusted returns through investments in a well-diversified group of managers that employ a variety of unique investment strategies. They target low volatility and low correlation to traditional asset classes. These funds may allocate their assets among a select group of non-traditional portfolio managers that invest or trade in a wide range of securities and other instruments.
Schedule of Plan Funded Status	The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Funded status of the plan $ (40,165 ) $ (48,412 ) Unrecognized prior service cost 2,574 2,869 Unrecognized net actuarial loss 58,957 74,461 Net amount recognized $ 21,366 $ 28,918
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2015 Accrued benefit liability $ (40,165 ) $ (48,412 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 61,531 77,330 Net amount recognized $ 21,366 $ 28,918
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost	Net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 for pension and supplemental benefit plans includes the following components (in thousands): Pension Benefits For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Service cost - benefit earned during the period $ 1,269 $ 1,495 $ 1,069 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 8,073 8,997 8,960 Expected return on plan assets (9,730 ) (11,217 ) (10,286 ) Amortization of prior service cost 295 296 182 Amortization of actuarial loss 5,134 5,862 3,674 Settlements 12,510 - - Net periodic pension cost $ 17,551 $ 5,433 $ 3,599
Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions for Discount Rates, Expected Long-Term Rates of Return on Plan Assets	The following tables summarize the Company’s actuarial assumptions for discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on plan assets: 2016 2015 2014 Pension plan assumptions Assumed discount rate, general 4.18% 4.52% 4.09% Assumed discount rate, union 4.22% 4.55% 4.16% Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, general 6.30% 6.50% 6.30% Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, union 6.20% 6.30% 7.30%
Schedule of Estimated Future Benefit Payments	The estimated future benefit payments under the Company’s pension plans, excluding the impact of future lump sum offerings, are as follows (in thousands): Amounts 2017 $ 9,198 2018 7,984 2019 8,833 2020 9,292 2021 9,027 2022-2026 50,839

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes	The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands): For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Currently Payable Federal $ 34,867 $ 67,702 $ 72,513 State 5,255 8,387 8,334 Foreign 1,305 1,614 805 Total currently payable 41,427 77,703 81,652 Deferred, net Federal (9,554 ) (20,929 ) (9,510 ) State (779 ) (1,778 ) (1,085 ) Foreign (291 ) (455 ) (284 ) Total deferred, net (10,624 ) (23,162 ) (10,879 ) Provision for income taxes $ 30,803 $ 54,541 $ 70,773
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rates Varied from Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate	The Company’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 varied from the statutory federal income tax rate as set forth in the following table (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Amount % of Pre-tax Income Amount % of Pre-tax Income Amount % of Pre-tax Income Tax provision based on the federal statutory rate $ 33,130 35.0 % $ 3,569 35.0 % $ 64,011 35.0 % State and local income taxes—net of federal income tax benefit 2,639 2.8 % 374 3.6 % 4,362 2.4 % Impairment of goodwill - - 47,468 465.5 % (4 ) - Valuation allowances (4,265 ) -4.5 % 1,217 11.9 % 3,027 1.7 % Tax effects of foreign dividend payments 1,756 1.8 % - - - - Research and Development tax credit (1,237 ) -1.3 % - - - - Non-deductible and other (1,220 ) -1.3 % 1,913 18.8 % (623 ) -0.4 % Provision for income taxes $ 30,803 32.5 % $ 54,541 534.8 % $ 70,773 38.7 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The sources of these differences and the related tax effects were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Accrued expenses $ 16,742 $ - $ 14,287 $ - Allowance for doubtful accounts 15,155 - 10,355 - Depreciation and amortization - 20,643 - 24,362 Intangibles arising from acquisitions - 22,600 - 25,034 Inventory reserves and adjustments - 17,900 - 16,086 Pension and post-retirement 11,700 - 14,889 - Share-based compensation 6,627 - 5,721 - Income tax credits, capital losses, and net operating losses 10,790 - 14,462 - Restructuring costs 1,288 - 5,442 - Other 921 - 1,026 - Total Deferred 63,223 61,143 66,182 65,482 Valuation Allowance (5,035 ) - (9,189 ) - Net Deferred $ 58,188 $ 61,143 $ 56,993 $ 65,482
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table shows the changes in gross unrecognized tax benefits, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Beginning Balance, January 1 $ 3,350 $ 3,205 $ 3,108 Additions based on tax positions taken during a prior period 713 1 123 Reductions based on tax positions taken during a prior period (32 ) (14 ) (11 ) Additions based on tax positions taken during the current period 103 425 382 Reductions related to settlement of tax matters (52 ) (46 ) (70 ) Reductions related to lapses of applicable statutes of limitation (252 ) (221 ) (327 ) Ending Balance, December 31 $ 3,830 $ 3,350 $ 3,205

Other Assets and Liabilities (T

Other Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets and Liabilities	Other assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2016 2015 Other Long-Term Assets: Investment in deferred compensation $ 4,776 $ 5,440 Long-term prepaid assets 34,307 26,291 Long-term income tax asset 3,423 3,412 Other 2,703 2,205 Total other long-term assets $ 45,209 $ 37,348 Other Long-Term Liabilities: Accrued pension obligation $ 40,165 $ 48,412 Deferred rent 22,561 18,948 Deferred directors compensation 4,786 5,453 Long-term swap liability 205 469 Long-term income tax liability 3,999 3,832 Long-term merger expenses 1,812 12,965 Long-term workers compensation liability 9,517 8,039 Other 1,602 3,370 Total other long-term liabilities $ 84,647 $ 101,488

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	Fair Value Measurements 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 - as of December 31, 2015 $ 91 $ - $ 91 $ - Liabilities Interest rate swap - as of December 31, 2016 $ 205 $ - $ 205 $ - - as of December 31, 2015 $ 469 $ - $ 469 $ -

Selected Quarterly Financial 45

Selected Quarterly Financial Data-Unaudited (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Data	First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total ( 1) (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Year Ended December 31, 2016: Net sales $ 1,352,296 $ 1,354,523 $ 1,407,504 $ 1,254,699 $ 5,369,022 Gross profit 200,082 195,823 198,854 165,102 759,861 Net income (loss) ( 2) 16,530 12,933 36,742 (2,353 ) 63,852 Net income (loss) per share—basic $ 0.45 $ 0.35 $ 1.00 $ (0.06 ) $ 1.75 Net income (loss) per share—diluted ( 3) $ 0.45 $ 0.35 $ 0.99 $ (0.06 ) $ 1.73 Year Ended December 31, 2015: Net sales $ 1,332,375 $ 1,341,799 $ 1,391,545 $ 1,297,327 $ 5,363,046 Gross profit 200,395 210,119 225,143 200,838 836,495 Net income (loss) ( 4) (6,007 ) 29,834 27,667 (95,836 ) (44,342 ) Net income (loss) per share—basic $ (0.16 ) $ 0.79 $ 0.74 $ (2.61 ) $ (1.18 ) Net income (loss) per share—diluted ( 3) $ (0.16 ) $ 0.78 $ 0.74 $ (2.61 ) $ (1.18 ) (1) As a result of changes in the number of common and common equivalent shares during the year, the sum of quarterly earnings per share will not necessarily equal earnings per share for the total year. (2) 2016 results were impacted by the following items, net of taxes: 2016 factors First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (dollars in thousands) Gain on sale of City of Industry facility $ - $ - $ (17,752 ) $ (1,651 ) $ (19,403 ) Settlement charge related to the defined benefit plan - 7,328 261 216 7,805 Litigation reserve - - - 2,492 2,492 Severance costs for operating leadership - - 776 - 776 State income tax reserve adjustment - - - 417 417 Restructuring charges 155 - (754 ) - (599 ) Tax impact of a dividend from a foreign subsidiary - - 1,666 - 1,666 (3) As a result of the net loss in the quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2015, the effect of potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive and have been omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, consistent with GAAP. (4) 2015 results were impacted by the following items, net of taxes: First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total (dollars in thousands) Impairment of Industrial goodwill and intangible assets $ - $ - $ - $ 118,076 $ 118,076 Restructuring charges 3,989 (86 ) 124 7,489 11,516 Loss on disposition of business and related costs 13,420 710 2,918 - 17,048 Impairment of assets and accelerated amortization related to rebranding 6,487 318 317 307 7,429 Impairment of seller notes - - 6,658 - 6,658

Basis of Presentation - Additio

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Product	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)ProductLocationCustomer	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	[1]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Net sales | $	$ 1,254,699	$ 1,407,504	$ 1,354,523	$ 1,352,296	$ 1,297,327	$ 1,391,545	$ 1,341,799	$ 1,332,375	$ 5,369,022	$ 5,363,046	$ 5,327,205
Number of items | Product	190,000								190,000
Number of distribution centers | Location									70
Number of reseller customer | Customer									29,000
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Summary of Significant Accoun47

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Plans	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accrued customer rebates included in Accrued liabilities		$ 65,300	$ 63,600
Prepaid customer rebates included in Other current assets and Other assets		$ 47,900	36,300
Number of share-based compensation plans | Plans		2
Outstanding checks		$ 34,300	46,000
Receivables related to supplier allowances included Accounts receivable		$ 86,900	$ 111,000
Percentage inventory valued under LIFO		98.30%	98.40%
Higher inventory if FIFO applied entirely		$ 147,900	$ 147,800
Effect of LIFO inventory liquidation on income		800	1,100	$ 900
LIFO expense related to inflation increase in cost of sales		2,400	7,800	18,300
Increase (decrease) in cost of sales due to LIFO accounting method		1,600	6,700	17,400
Capitalized software amortization		8,800	8,500	7,400
Goodwill		297,906	299,355
Intangible assets, net		83,690	96,413
Pension expense		5,100	5,400	3,600
Pension settlement charge		12,510
Loss from foreign currency translation	[1]	1,427	(9,075)	$ (5,262)
Mexican Subsidiary [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Loss from foreign currency translation			$ (11,100)
Pension Plans [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Pension expense		17,600
Pension settlement charge		$ 12,510
Minimum [Member] | Fixtures And Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		2 years
Maximum [Member] | Fixtures And Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		10 years
Maximum [Member] | Building [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		40 years
Maximum [Member] | Capitalized Software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		10 years
Nestor Sales LLC [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
LIFO reserve reduction		$ 1,500
Goodwill		$ 9,712
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Summary of Significant Accoun48

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Net Capitalized Software Development Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Capitalized software development costs	$ 97,010	$ 98,873
Accumulated amortization	(71,617)	(73,723)
Net capitalized software development costs	$ 25,393	$ 25,150

Changes in Accounting Principle

Changes in Accounting Principles - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change In Accounting Principles [Line Items]
Increase decrease in the net income due to LIFO accounting method	$ 1.6	$ 6.7	$ 17.4
Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation [Member]
Change In Accounting Principles [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in 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		$ 0.06

Changes in Accounting Princip50

Changes in Accounting Principles - Summary of adjustments made to the consolidated financial statements (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statement of Income
Cost of goods sold										$ 4,609,161		$ 4,526,551		$ 4,524,676	[1]
Gross profit		$ 165,102	$ 198,854	$ 195,823	$ 200,082	$ 200,838	$ 225,143	$ 210,119	$ 200,395	759,861		836,495		802,529	[1]
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses										629,825		675,913		595,673	[1]
Income before income taxes										94,655		10,199		182,888	[1]
Income tax expense										30,803		54,541		70,773	[1]
Net income (loss)		$ (2,353)	$ 36,742	$ 12,933	$ 16,530	$ (95,836)	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 63,852	[1]	$ (44,342)	[1]	$ 112,115	[1]
Net income per share
Basic		$ (0.06)	$ 1	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ (2.61)	$ 0.74	$ 0.79	$ (0.16)	$ 1.75		$ (1.18)		$ 2.90	[1]
Diluted		$ (0.06)	$ 0.99	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ (2.61)	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ (0.16)	$ 1.73		$ (1.18)		$ 2.87	[1]
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss)		$ (2,353)	$ 36,742	$ 12,933	$ 16,530	$ (95,836)	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 63,852	[1]	$ (44,342)	[1]	$ 112,115	[1]
Comprehensive income (loss)	[1]									74,987		(39,142)		89,212
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Net income (loss)		(2,353)	$ 36,742	$ 12,933	16,530	(95,836)	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	(6,007)	63,852	[1]	(44,342)	[1]	112,115	[1]
Deferred income taxes										(10,624)		(23,162)		(10,879)	[1]
Inventories										47,148		(12,467)		(18,724)	[1]
Cash provided by operating activities										130,942		162,734		77,133	[1]
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings at beginning of year					$ 1,463,821				1,529,224	1,463,821		1,529,224		1,438,870
Retained earnings at end of year		$ 1,507,057				$ 1,463,821				$ 1,507,057		1,463,821		1,529,224
Previous Method [Member]
Consolidated Statement of Income
Cost of goods sold														4,516,704
Gross profit														810,501
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses														592,050
Income before income taxes														194,483
Income tax expense														75,285
Net income (loss)														$ 119,198
Net income per share
Basic														$ 3.08
Diluted														$ 3.05
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss)														$ 119,198
Comprehensive income (loss)														96,295
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Net income (loss)														119,198
Deferred income taxes														(6,367)
Inventories														(30,319)
Cash provided by operating activities														77,133
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings at beginning of year									1,541,675			1,541,675		1,444,238
Retained earnings at end of year														1,541,675
Effect Of Change [Member]
Consolidated Statement of Income
Cost of goods sold														7,972
Gross profit														(7,972)
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses														3,623
Income before income taxes														(11,595)
Income tax expense														(4,512)
Net income (loss)														$ (7,083)
Net income per share
Basic														$ (0.18)
Diluted														$ (0.18)
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss)														$ (7,083)
Comprehensive income (loss)														(7,083)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Net income (loss)														(7,083)
Deferred income taxes														(4,512)
Inventories														11,595
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings at beginning of year									$ (12,451)			$ (12,451)		(5,368)
Retained earnings at end of year														$ (12,451)
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Acquisitions & Dispositions - A

Acquisitions & Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015	Dec. 16, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014	May 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales							$ 1,254,699,000	$ 1,407,504,000	$ 1,354,523,000	$ 1,352,296,000	$ 1,297,327,000	$ 1,391,545,000	$ 1,341,799,000	$ 1,332,375,000	$ 5,369,022,000	$ 5,363,046,000	$ 5,327,205,000	[1]
Goodwill impairment				$ 9,000,000
Impairment charge																155,603,000
Loss on disposition of business																1,461,000	(800,000)	[1]
Azerty de Mexico [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of stock-sale of subsidiary						100.00%
Combination of cash and Seller's note						$ 8,700,000
Goodwill impairment																3,300,000
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment, of the disposal group						10,100,000
Pre-tax impairment loss of the disposal group						10,100,000
Loss on disposition of business						$ 1,500,000
Pre-tax income (loss) from subsidiary																5,200,000	300,000
Azerty de Mexico [Member] | Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Impairment charge																10,100,000
Additional cost incurred during transaction																3,600,000
MBS Dev, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		$ 9,000,000
Loss on disposition of business		8,200,000
Gain on disposal		$ 800,000
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
Business acquisition contingent consideration liability, current							9,700,000								9,700,000
Stock acquisition, percentage acquired					100.00%
Net sales															135,800,000	119,700,000
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
Business acquisition contingent consideration liability, current							$ 3,200,000								3,200,000
Stock acquisition, percentage acquired			100.00%
Net sales															271,100,000	$ 270,800,000
Amount reserved as a payable related to acquisition			$ 6,000,000
Reserved amount paid related to acquisition									$ 6,000,000
Business acquisition acquired entity indemnification payment period			18 months
Business acquisition contingent consideration liability paid															1,700,000
Pro forma net sales																	5,500,000,000
Pro forma net income (loss)																	$ 117,900,000
Nestor Sales LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition cash paid	$ 41,800,000
Stock acquisition, percentage acquired	100.00%
Net sales															$ 64,900,000
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Acquisitions & Dispositions - P

Acquisitions & Dispositions - Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 297,906	$ 299,355
CPO [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 [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	2,167
Other long-term liabilities	52
Total liabilities assumed	40,144
Goodwill	39,354
NESTOR [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price, net of cash acquired	39,983
Accounts receivable	(9,230)
Inventories	(12,067)
Other current assets	(339)
Property, plant and equipment, net	(1,251)
Other assets	(752)
Intangible assets	(16,930)
Total assets acquired	(40,569)
Accounts payable	4,992
Accrued liabilities	1,943
Deferred income taxes	3,287
Other long-term liabilities	76
Total liabilities assumed	10,298
Goodwill	$ 9,712

Acquisitions & Dispositions - S

Acquisitions & Dispositions - Summary of Purchased Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
CPO [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 [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	16,930
Customer relationships [Member] | CPO [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 [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 15,570
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	13 years
Trademarks [Member] | CPO [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 [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 1,360
Trademarks [Member] | NESTOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets estimated life	2 years 6 months
Trademarks [Member] | NESTOR [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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesPlansshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of share-based compensation plans | Plans	2
Closing sale price per share | $ / shares	$ 20.90	$ 32.51	$ 42.16
Stock options granted			5,538
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout based on economic profit performance against target economic profit goals	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout based on economic profit performance against target economic profit goals	200.00%	200.00%	200.00%
Stock Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost | $	$ 0
Stock options granted	0	0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	554,491	462,697	253,042
Diluted earnings per share required to determine specific performance measure of stock awards | $ / shares	$ 0.50
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost | $	$ 16,800,000
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	276,110	162,092	176,717
Vesting period, in years			3 years
Vesting year	2,019	2,018
Share-based compensation, weighed -average period for recognition	2 years
Non Employee Directors [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense, directors fees | $	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Accumulated number of stock units outstanding	40,189	41,051	43,082
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	55,120	30,778	20,664
Employees [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	383,196	333,268	271,594
Executive Officer [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted	392,285	260,743	137,501
Terms of granting restricted stock and restricted stock units	the officer is still employed as of the anniversary date of the grant, and the Company’s cumulative diluted earnings per share for the four calendar quarters immediately preceding the vesting date exceed $0.50 per diluted share as defined in the officers’ restricted stock agreement.

Share-Based Compensation - Sche

Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Pre-tax expense	$ 10,202	$ 7,895	$ 8,195	[1]
Tax effect	(3,846)	(3,000)	(3,114)
After tax expense	$ 6,356	$ 4,895	$ 5,081
Denominator for basic shares—Weighted average shares	36,580	37,457	38,705	[1]
Denominator for diluted shares—Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities	36,918	37,457	39,130	[1]
Net expense per share—basic	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.13
Net expense per share—diluted	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.13
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Share-Based Compensation - Sc56

Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Options Outstanding, Exercisable and Exercised (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Intrinsic Value of Options, Outstanding		$ 1,253	$ 6,092
Intrinsic Value of Options, Exercisable		1,253	4,543
Intrinsic Value of Options, Exercised	$ 535	$ 902	$ 537

Share-Based Compensation - Sc57

Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Restricted Shares Outstanding and Vested (Detail) - Restricted Stock [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic Value of Restricted Shares, Outstanding	$ 29,056	$ 34,981	$ 45,928
Intrinsic Value of Restricted Shares, Vested	$ 4,705	$ 8,159	$ 10,976

Share-Based Compensation - Sc58

Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock Options (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Options outstanding - Beginning Balance, Shares	448,687	727,378	812,160
Granted, Shares			5,538
Exercised, Shares	(82,228)	(77,918)	(32,610)
Cancelled, Shares	(35,988)	(200,773)	(57,710)
Expired, Shares	(100,938)
Options outstanding - Ending Balance, Shares	229,533	448,687	727,378
Number of options exercisable, Shares	229,533	195,402	273,320
Options outstanding - Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.31	$ 33.81	$ 33.70
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price			45.89
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	24.94	24.11	24.43
Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	38.69	38.71	38.74
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	31.13
Options outstanding - Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	36.42	33.31	33.81
Number of options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 36.42	$ 26.11	$ 25.54

Share-Based Compensation -Sched

Share-Based Compensation -Schedule of Proceeds Related to Option Exercises and Related Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Proceeds from options exercised	$ 2,097	$ 1,939	$ 814
Tax Benefit	$ 199	$ 340	$ 203

Share-Based Compensation - Sc60

Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Outstanding and Exercisable Options Granted (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016$ / sharesshares
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Outstanding	229,533
Exercisable	229,533
25.00-30.00 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price | $ / shares	$ 25
Upper exercise price | $ / shares	$ 30
Outstanding	60,216
Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	7 months 6 days
Exercisable	60,216
30.01 - 35.00 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price | $ / shares	$ 30.01
Upper exercise price | $ / shares	$ 35
Outstanding	2,246
Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	4 months 24 days
Exercisable	2,246
35.01 - 40.00 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price | $ / shares	$ 35.01
Upper exercise price | $ / shares	$ 40
Outstanding	161,533
Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	6 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable	161,533
45.01 - 50.00 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price | $ / shares	$ 45.01
Upper exercise price | $ / shares	$ 50
Outstanding	5,538
Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	7 years
Exercisable	5,538

Share-Based Compensation - Sc61

Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock and RSU Grants and Changes (Detail) - Restricted Stock and RSUs [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Shares outstanding	1,076,000	1,089,374	1,041,189
Granted, Shares	830,601	624,789	429,759
Vested, Shares	(196,394)	(212,537)	(237,739)
Cancelled, Shares	(319,965)	(425,626)	(143,835)
Ending Balance, Shares outstanding	1,390,242	1,076,000	1,089,374
Shares outstanding - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 36.13	$ 31.23	$ 31.24
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	24.34	36.79	40.52
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	37.32	33.94	41.59
Cancelled, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	36.31	34.58	34.04
Shares outstanding - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 28.88	$ 36.13	$ 31.23

Goodwill and Intangible Asset62

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	[1]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 9,000,000
Additional reserves in inventory				$ 4,900,000
Loss on disposition of business				1,461,000	$ (800,000)
Goodwill			$ 297,906,000	299,355,000
Intangible assets, net			83,690,000	96,413,000
Acquisition related costs			0	0
Amortization of intangible assets			12,238,000	15,143,000	$ 8,623,000
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets			$ 72,115,000	59,857,000
Azerty de Mexico [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment				3,300,000
Loss on disposition of business		$ 1,500,000
MBS Dev [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Loss on disposition of business	$ 8,200,000
Industrial [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment				$ 113,800,000
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Goodwill and Intangible Asset63

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2015	$ 299,355
Purchase accounting adjustments	(1,858)
Currency translation adjustment	409
Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2016	$ 297,906

Goodwill and Intangible Asset64

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets of Company by Major Class (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 155,805	$ 156,270
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(72,115)	(59,857)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	83,690	96,413
Customer relationships and other intangibles [Member]
Schedule Of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	137,452	137,938
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(62,235)	(51,357)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	$ 75,217	$ 86,581
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	16 years	16 years
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Schedule Of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,649	$ 4,644
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(4,260)	(4,260)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	$ 389	$ 384
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	4 years	4 years
Trademarks [Member]
Schedule Of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 13,704	$ 13,688
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Amortization	(5,620)	(4,240)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net Carrying Amount	$ 8,084	$ 9,448
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	14 years	14 years

Goodwill and Intangible Asset65

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Amortization Expense Expected to be Incurred Over Next Five Years on Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 10,777
2,018	8,039
2,019	6,922
2,020	6,919
2,021	$ 6,919

Severance and Restructuring C66

Severance and Restructuring Charges - Schedule of Expenses, Cash Flows, and Accrued Liabilities Associated with Restructuring Actions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash flow associated with restructuring actions	$ 1,225	$ 4,473
Accrued Liabilities associated with restructuring actions	758
Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Expenses associated with restructuring actions	(256)	6,712
First Quarter 2015 Actions Workforce Reduction [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash flow associated with restructuring actions	539	3,660
Accrued Liabilities associated with restructuring actions	758
First Quarter 2015 Actions Workforce Reduction [Member] | Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Expenses associated with restructuring actions	(510)	5,467
First Quarter 2015 Actions Facility Closure [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash flow associated with restructuring actions	686	813
First Quarter 2015 Actions Facility Closure [Member] | Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Expenses associated with restructuring actions	254	1,245
Fourth Quarter 2015 Action Workforce Reduction [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash flow associated with restructuring actions	8,954	785
Accrued Liabilities associated with restructuring actions	1,424
Fourth Quarter 2015 Action Workforce Reduction [Member] | Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Expenses associated with restructuring actions	$ (700)	$ 11,863

Accumulated Other Comprehensi67

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI) by Component, Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	[1]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015	$ 723,734
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(437)
Settlement loss reclassified from AOCI	7,666
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	3,906
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	11,135	$ 5,200	$ (22,903)
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016	781,106	723,734
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015	(9,866)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	1,427
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	1,427
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016	(8,439)	(9,866)
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015	146
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(565)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	591
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	26
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016	172	146
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015	(47,871)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(1,299)
Settlement loss reclassified from AOCI	7,666
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	3,315
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	9,682
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016	(38,189)	(47,871)
AOCI, Total [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2015	(57,591)
AOCI, balance as of December 31, 2016	$ (46,456)	$ (57,591)
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi68

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Amounts Reclassified Out of AOCI into Income Statement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	[1]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold									$ 4,609,161		$ 4,526,551		$ 4,524,676
Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses									629,825		675,913		595,673
Defined benefit plan settlement loss									12,510
Tax provision									(30,803)		(54,541)		(70,773)
Net income (loss)	$ (2,353)	$ 36,742	$ 12,933	$ 16,530	$ (95,836)	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	63,852	[1]	$ (44,342)	[1]	$ 112,115
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									11,572
Amount Reclassified From AOCI [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold									(42)
Tax provision									(374)
Net income (loss)									591
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									5,429
Defined benefit plan settlement loss									12,510
Tax provision									(6,958)
Net income (loss)									10,981
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									$ 1,007
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Additional authorized repurchase amount		$ 68,200
Number of shares repurchased		241,270	1,822,227
Repurchase of common stock, value	[1]	$ 6,839	$ 67,446	$ 50,591
Treasury stock reissued, shares		468,142	362,874	250,747
Stock Option [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount		200,000	300,000	500,000
Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount			400,000
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

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								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (2,353)	$ 36,742	$ 12,933	$ 16,530	$ (95,836)	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 63,852	[1]	$ (44,342)	[1]	$ 112,115	[1]
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares									36,580		37,457		38,705	[1]
Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted units									338				425
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted average shares and the effect of dilutive securities									36,918		37,457		39,130	[1]
Net income (loss) per share - basic	$ (0.06)	$ 1	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ (2.61)	$ 0.74	$ 0.79	$ (0.16)	$ 1.75		$ (1.18)		$ 2.90	[1]
Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$ (0.06)	$ 0.99	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ (2.61)	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ (0.16)	$ 1.73		$ (1.18)		$ 2.87	[1]
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)ProductCustomerSegmentSupplier	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)ProductCustomerSupplier	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)ProductCustomerSupplier
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,254,699	$ 1,407,504	$ 1,354,523	$ 1,352,296	$ 1,297,327	$ 1,391,545	$ 1,341,799	$ 1,332,375	$ 5,369,022	$ 5,363,046	$ 5,327,205	[1]
Number of Operating Segments | Segment									4
Number of supplier accounted for more than specified purchases | Supplier									0	0	0
Number of single customer accounted for more than specified sales | Customer									0	0	0
Number of single customer accounted for more than consolidated accounts receivable | Customer									0	0
Number of individual product represented for more than specified sales | Product									0	0	0
Equity Method Investee [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchases from buying group through equity ownership									$ 18,100	$ 13,800
Payables to buying group through equity ownership	700				1,400				$ 700	$ 1,400
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Cost of Goods, Total [Member] | Hewlett Packard [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated net sales									20.00%	14.00%	16.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Services, Net [Member] | WB Mason [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated net sales									11.00%	12.00%	12.00%
MEXICO [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 69,400	$ 121,900	$ 147,200
Long-lived assets	$ 30,900				$ 32,200				$ 30,900	$ 32,200	$ 42,500
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Segment Information - Schedule

Segment Information - Schedule of Net Sales by Product Category (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,254,699	$ 1,407,504	$ 1,354,523	$ 1,352,296	$ 1,297,327	$ 1,391,545	$ 1,341,799	$ 1,332,375	$ 5,369,022	$ 5,363,046	$ 5,327,205	[1]
Janitorial, foodservice and breakroom supplies (JanSan) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,435,476	1,457,993	1,443,242
Technology products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,347,652	1,363,146	1,447,661
Traditional office products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									860,324	860,024	861,649
Industrial supplies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									560,682	586,580	601,937
Cut sheet paper [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									394,650	343,604	465,400
Automotive [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									316,546	279,966	33,709
Office furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									298,655	318,870	312,203
Freight and other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 155,037	$ 152,863	$ 161,404
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Feb. 22, 2017	Jul. 08, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 15, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
FILO borrowing base percentage of accounts receivable				10.00%
FILO borrowing base percentage of liquidation value of inventory				10.00%
Percentage of outstanding debt priced				75.40%
Effective interest rate				2.50%
Percentage of debt unhedged				50.90%
Maximum basis-point change that would not affect annual interest expense				0.50%
Amount due to movement in interest rates				$ 1,500,000
Maximum amount of financing upon amendment of program				200,000,000
Receivables sold to Investors				$ 500,300,000		$ 448,600,000
2017 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement commencement date				Feb. 22, 2017
Credit facility				$ 1,000,000,000
Line of credit facility, collateral amount				$ 165,000,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate description				Borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement bear interest at LIBOR for specified interest periods, at the REVLIBOR30 Rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement) or at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, a margin determined based on the Company’s average quarterly revolving availability. Depending on the Company’s average quarterly revolving availability, the margin on LIBOR-based loans and REVLIBOR30 Rate-based loans ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for revolving and term loans and 2.00% to 2.50% for FILO loans, and on Alternate Base Rate loans ranges from 0.25% to 0.75% for revolving and term loans and 1.00% to 1.50% for FILO loans. As of closing to June 30, 2017, the applicable margin for LIBOR-based loans and REVLIBOR30 Rate-based loans is 1.50% for revolving and term loans and 2.25% for FILO loans, and for Alternate Base Rate loans is 0.50% for revolving and term loans and 1.25% for FILO loans. In addition, ECO is required to pay the lenders a commitment fee on the unutilized portion of the revolving and FILO commitments under the 2017 Credit Agreement at a rate per annum equal to 0.25%.
Borrowing base calculation, description				Availability of credit under the revolving facility will be subject to a revolving borrowing base calculation comprised of a certain percentage of the eligible accounts receivable, plus a certain percentage of the eligible inventory, less reserves. Similarly, availability under the FILO revolving credit facility is subject to a FILO borrowing base comprised primarily of 10% of the eligible accounts receivable, plus 10% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentages of the eligible inventory, less reserves.
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				0.125%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 1,000,000,000
Fee on unutilized portion of commitments				0.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates	0.50%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates	1.50%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 100,000,000
Fee on unutilized portion of commitments				0.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates	1.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates	2.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 77,600,000
Line of credit facility, funding date				Apr. 21, 2017
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates	0.50%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates	1.50%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt-to-EBITDA ratio				3.50%
Letters of credit issued amount				$ 25,000,000
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Swingline Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 100,000,000
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				0.75%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates				1.75%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				1.50%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates				2.50%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				0.75%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates				1.75%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt-to-EBITDA ratio				3.00%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				0.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates				1.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				1.00%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | First In Last Out Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates				2.00%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				0.25%
2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member] | REVLIBOR30 And LIBOR Based Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility loan rates				1.25%
3.75% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date				Jan. 15, 2012
Receivables Securitization Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility				$ 200,000,000		200,000,000
Receivables Securitization Program [Member] | ESR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility				$ 200,000,000
2013 Note Purchase Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date				Jan. 15, 2021
Basis spread on variable rate				3.75%
Effective interest rate					4.285%
Senior Secured notes							$ 150,000,000
2013 Note Purchase Agreement [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit issued				$ 165,000,000
2013 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement period			5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity				700,000,000
Credit facility				$ 260,400,000		$ 368,400,000
Alternate base rate loans rates				0.50%
Effective interest rate				3.66%
Credit agreement termination, month and year				2017-02
Outstanding letters of credit				$ 12,500,000
LIBOR-based loans rates				1.50%
2013 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				1.00%
LIBOR-based loans rates				2.00%
2013 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Alternate base rate loans rates				0.00%
LIBOR-based loans rates				1.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2017 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement period		5 years
Credit facility		$ 672,500,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | 3.75% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.75%

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term De

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt Components (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease	$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Transaction Costs	(1.5)	(2.2)
Total	609	716.3
2013 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Agreement	260.4	368.4
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 - Schedule of Debt Maturit

Debt - Schedule of Debt Maturities (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,018	$ 460.4
2,021	150
Total	$ 610.4

Debt - Schedule of Debt Matur76

Debt - Schedule of Debt Maturities (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument maturity year	2,018
2017 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total borrowings due in 2022	$ 522.5

Leases, Contractual Obligatio77

Leases, Contractual Obligations and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2,017	$ 50,747
2,018	47,871
2,019	44,229
2,020	34,994
2,021	24,290
Thereafter	72,113
Total required lease payments	$ 274,244

Leases, Contractual Obligatio78

Leases, Contractual Obligations and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Operating lease expense		$ 51	$ 48.4	$ 45.1
Facility in City of Industry [Member] | CA
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale and leaseback agreement date		September 2,016
Purchase price for sale of facility	$ 31.7
Subsequent leaseback period	2 years
Classification of lease		operating lease
Sale and leaseback, deferred gain amortized into income over lease term	$ 2.8
Warehousing, Marketing and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Facility in City of Industry [Member] | CA
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale and leaseback, recorded gain	$ 20.5
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] | Facility in City of Industry [Member] | CA
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale and leaseback, deferred gain		$ 1
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Facility in City of Industry [Member] | CA
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale and leaseback, deferred gain		$ 1.4

Pension Plans and Defined Con79

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Feb. 27, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Participant	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation		$ 182,253	$ 211,389	$ 224,086
Improvement to net funded status of plan		7,100
Settlement of Pension Plan, net impact on shareholders' equity		2,400
Reduction of unrecognized actuarial loss included in accumulated and other comprehensive income		14,900
Pension settlement charge		$ 12,510
Compensation increase rate		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expense associated with company contributions		$ 7,100	$ 5,900	$ 5,500
Essendant Union Employee Pension Plan [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contribution to pension plan during the period	$ 5,000
Essendant Pension Plan [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contribution to pension plan during the period	$ 5,000
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Active associates in the pension plan | Participant		2,250
Accumulated benefit obligation		$ 182,300
Pension settlement charge		12,510
Estimated net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss		4,200
Estimated prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss		300
Cash contribution to pension plan during the period		$ 10,000	$ 2,000
Pension Plans [Member] | General Plan Assets [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		45.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | General Plan Assets [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		36.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | General Plan Assets [Member] | Domestic Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		9.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | General Plan Assets [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		10.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | Union Plan Assets [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		16.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | Union Plan Assets [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		62.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | Union Plan Assets [Member] | Domestic Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		12.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | Union Plan Assets [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for plan assets		10.00%

Pension Plans and Defined Con80

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Reconciliation of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 211,389	$ 224,086
Service cost—benefit earned during the period	1,269	1,495
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,073	8,997
Actuarial (gain) loss	4,547	(16,846)
Benefits paid	(2,952)	(6,343)
Settlements	(40,073)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$ 182,253	$ 211,389

Pension Plans and Defined Con81

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Change in Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 162,977
Benefits paid	(2,952)	$ (6,343)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	142,088	162,977
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	162,977	173,771
Actual return on plan assets	12,136	(6,451)
Company contributions	10,000	2,000
Benefits paid	(2,952)	(6,343)
Settlements	(40,073)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 142,088	$ 162,977

Pension Plans and Defined Con82

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Pension Plan Investment Allocations (Detail) - Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	0.60%	0.40%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	50.80%	37.80%
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	27.40%	40.50%
Real Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	4.80%	10.80%
Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	11.90%	10.50%
Master Limited Partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, asset allocations	4.50%

Pension Plans and Defined Con83

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 142,088	$ 162,977
Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	874	655
Domestic Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,204	10,464
Commodities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,563	7,089
Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,962	17,155
Master Limited Partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,368
Equity Securities [Member] | U.S. Large Cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	27,779	23,072
Equity Securities [Member] | International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	21,960	18,211
Equity Securities [Member] | Emerging Markets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	12,504	13,127
Equity Securities [Member] | U.S. Small Cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,974	7,256
Fixed Income [Member] | U.S. Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	36,778	59,517
Fixed Income [Member] | U.S. Inflation Protected Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	403	1,236
Fixed Income [Member] | High Yield Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	912	2,295
Fixed Income [Member] | International Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	807	2,900
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	125,126	145,822
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	874	655
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Domestic Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,204	10,464
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Commodities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,563	7,089
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Master Limited Partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,368
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | U.S. Large Cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	27,779	23,072
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	21,960	18,211
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Emerging Markets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	12,504	13,127
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | U.S. Small Cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,974	7,256
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | U.S. Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	36,778	59,517
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | U.S. Inflation Protected Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	403	1,236
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | High Yield Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	912	2,295
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | International Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	807	2,900
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,962	17,155
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 16,962	$ 17,155

Pension Plans and Defined Con84

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum investment for funding in assets	98.00%	98.00%

Pension Plans and Defined Con85

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Plan Funded Status (Detail) - Pension Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Funded status of the plan	$ (40,165)	$ (48,412)
Unrecognized prior service cost	2,574	2,869
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	58,957	74,461
Net amount recognized	$ 21,366	$ 28,918

Pension Plans and Defined Con86

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued benefit liability	$ (40,165)	$ (48,412)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued benefit liability	(40,165)	(48,412)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	61,531	77,330
Net amount recognized	$ 21,366	$ 28,918

Pension Plans and Defined Con87

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost—benefit earned during the period	$ 1,269	$ 1,495
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,073	8,997
Defined benefit plan settlement loss	12,510
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost—benefit earned during the period	1,269	1,495	$ 1,069
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	8,073	8,997	8,960
Expected return on plan assets	(9,730)	(11,217)	(10,286)
Amortization of prior service cost	295	296	182
Amortization of actuarial loss	5,134	5,862	3,674
Defined benefit plan settlement loss	12,510
Net periodic pension cost	$ 17,551	$ 5,433	$ 3,599

Pension Plans and Defined Con88

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions for Discount Rates, Expected Long-Term Rates of Return on Plan Assets (Detail) - Pension Plans [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
General Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed discount rate	4.18%	4.52%	4.09%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	6.30%	6.50%	6.30%
Union Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed discount rate	4.22%	4.55%	4.16%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	6.20%	6.30%	7.30%

Pension Plans and Defined Con89

Pension Plans and Defined Contribution Plan - Schedule of Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Detail) - Pension Plans [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,017	$ 9,198
2,018	7,984
2,019	8,833
2,020	9,292
2,021	9,027
2022-2026	$ 50,839

Preferred Stock - Additional In

Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000
Preferred stock outstanding	0	0

Income Taxes - Schedule of Prov

Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Currently Payable, Federal	$ 34,867	$ 67,702	$ 72,513
Currently Payable, State	5,255	8,387	8,334
Currently Payable, Foreign	1,305	1,614	805
Total currently payable	41,427	77,703	81,652
Deferred, net-Federal	(9,554)	(20,929)	(9,510)
Deferred, net-State	(779)	(1,778)	(1,085)
Deferred, net-Foreign	(291)	(455)	(284)
Total deferred, net	(10,624)	(23,162)	(10,879)	[1]
Provision for income taxes	$ 30,803	$ 54,541	$ 70,773	[1]
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Income Taxes - Schedule of Effe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rates Varied from Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax provision based on the federal statutory rate, Amount	$ 33,130	$ 3,569	$ 64,011
State and local income taxes—net of federal income tax benefit, Amount	2,639	374	4,362
Impairment of goodwill, Amount		47,468	(4)
Valuation allowances, Amount	(4,265)	1,217	3,027
Tax effects of foreign dividend payments, Amount	1,756
Research and development tax credit, Amount	(1,237)
Non-deductible and other, Amount	(1,220)	1,913	(623)
Provision for income taxes	$ 30,803	$ 54,541	$ 70,773	[1]
% of Pre-tax Income of Tax provision based on the federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
% of Pre-tax Income of State and local income taxes-net of federal income tax benefit	2.80%	3.60%	2.40%
% of Pre-tax Income of Impairment of goodwill		465.50%
% of Pre-tax Income of Valuation allowances	(4.50%)	11.90%	1.70%
% of Pre-tax Income of Tax effects of foreign dividend payments	1.80%
% of Pre-tax Income of Research and development tax credit	(1.30%)
% of Pre-tax Income of Non-deductible and other	(1.30%)	18.80%	(0.40%)
% of Pre-tax Income of Provision for income taxes	32.50%	534.80%	38.70%
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Income Taxes - Schedule of Defe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Assets, Accrued expenses	$ 16,742	$ 14,287
Assets, Allowance for doubtful accounts	15,155	10,355
Assets, Pension and post-retirement	11,700	14,889
Assets, Share-based compensation	6,627	5,721
Assets, Income tax credits, capital losses, and net operating losses	10,790	14,462
Assets, Restructuring costs	1,288	5,442
Assets, Other	921	1,026
Total Deferred	63,223	66,182
Valuation Allowance	(5,035)	(9,189)
Net Deferred, Assets	58,188	56,993
Liabilities, Depreciation and amortization	20,643	24,362
Liabilities, Intangibles arising from acquisitions	22,600	25,034
Liabilities, Inventory reserves and adjustments	17,900	16,086
Total Deferred	61,143	65,482
Net Deferred, Liabilities	$ 61,143	$ 65,482

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating losses carry forward expiration date	Dec. 31, 2033
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	$ 2,600,000	$ 2,200,000	$ 2,100,000
Gross amount of interest and penalties	300,000	100,000	$ 0
Accrued for potential payment of interest and penalties	900,000	$ 600,000
Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized tax benefit change in next 12 months	0
Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized tax benefit change in next 12 months	1,300,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 10,800,000
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration year	2,021
State tax credits carry forward expiration date	Dec. 31, 2021
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 600,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration year	2,033
Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 5,800,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration year	2,034

Income Taxes - Schedule of Unre

Income Taxes - Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, January 1	$ 3,350	$ 3,205	$ 3,108
Additions based on tax positions taken during a prior period	713	1	123
Reductions based on tax positions taken during a prior period	(32)	(14)	(11)
Additions based on tax positions taken during the current period	103	425	382
Reductions related to settlement of tax matters	(52)	(46)	(70)
Reductions related to lapses of applicable statutes of limitation	(252)	(221)	(327)
Ending Balance, December 31	$ 3,830	$ 3,350	$ 3,205

Other Assets and Liabilities -

Other Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Other Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Long-Term Assets:
Investment in deferred compensation	$ 4,776	$ 5,440
Long-term prepaid assets	34,307	26,291
Long-term income tax asset	3,423	3,412
Other	2,703	2,205
Total other long-term assets	45,209	37,348
Other Long-Term Liabilities:
Accrued pension obligation	40,165	48,412
Deferred rent	22,561	18,948
Deferred directors compensation	4,786	5,453
Long-term swap liability	205	469
Long-term income tax liability	3,999	3,832
Long-term merger expenses	1,812	12,965
Long-term workers compensation liability	9,517	8,039
Other	1,602	3,370
Total other long-term liabilities	$ 84,647	$ 101,488

Fair Value Measurements - Sched

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap	$ 205	$ 469
Foreign Exchange [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange hedge		91
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap	205	469
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		91
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	$ 205	$ 469

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Receivables sold to Investors	$ 500,300,000	$ 448,600,000
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	0
Liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	$ 0

Legal Matters - Additional Info

Legal Matters - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 14, 2016Lawsuit	May 01, 2015Lawsuit	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Lawsuit
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits filed | Lawsuit			2
Pre-tax reserve recorded within warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | $			$ 4,000,000
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
United States District Court California [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits filed | Lawsuit		1
United States District Court Illinois [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits filed | Lawsuit	1

Selected Quarterly Financial100

Selected Quarterly Financial Data-Unaudited - Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	[1]
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,254,699	$ 1,407,504	$ 1,354,523	$ 1,352,296	$ 1,297,327	$ 1,391,545	$ 1,341,799	$ 1,332,375	$ 5,369,022		$ 5,363,046		$ 5,327,205
Gross profit	165,102	198,854	195,823	200,082	200,838	225,143	210,119	200,395	759,861		836,495		802,529
Net income (loss)	$ (2,353)	$ 36,742	$ 12,933	$ 16,530	$ (95,836)	$ 27,667	$ 29,834	$ (6,007)	$ 63,852	[1]	$ (44,342)	[1]	$ 112,115
Net income (loss) per share - basic	$ (0.06)	$ 1	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ (2.61)	$ 0.74	$ 0.79	$ (0.16)	$ 1.75		$ (1.18)		$ 2.90
Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$ (0.06)	$ 0.99	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ (2.61)	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ (0.16)	$ 1.73		$ (1.18)		$ 2.87
[1]	Revised in 2015 for the impact of the changes in accounting principle related to inventory accounting.

Selected Quarterly Financial101

Selected Quarterly Financial Data-Unaudited - Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Gain on sale of City of Industry facility	$ (1,651)	$ (17,752)							$ (19,403)
Settlement charge related to the defined benefit plan	216	261	$ 7,328						7,805
Litigation reserve	2,492								2,492
Severance costs for operating leadership		776							776
State income tax reserve adjustment	$ 417								417
Restructuring charges		(754)		$ 155	$ 7,489	$ 124	$ (86)	$ 3,989	(599)	$ 11,516
Tax impact of a dividend from a foreign subsidiary		$ 1,666							$ 1,666
Impairment of Industrial goodwill and intangible assets					118,076					118,076
Loss on disposition of business and related costs						2,918	710	13,420		17,048
Impairment of assets and accelerated amortization related to rebranding					$ 307	317	$ 318	$ 6,487		7,429
Impairment of seller notes						$ 6,658				$ 6,658

Valuation and Qualifying Accoun

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 17,810	$ 19,725	$ 20,608
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	5,208	3,231	4,898
Deductions	(4,822)	(5,146)	(5,781)
Balance at End of Period	$ 18,196	$ 17,810	$ 19,725