*NEWS*UNITED STATIONERS REPORTS RECORD 05

United reports record 2005
February 2006 – Des Plaines (IL): United Stationers has posted record sales and earnings for 2005.  
The wholesaler said net sales for 2005 were $4.4 billion, up 10.5 per cent from $4 billion a year earlier. Net income for 2005 was $97.5 million, an increase of 8.4 per cent from $90 million in 2004. A 2005 EPS of $2.90 was up 9.4 per cent compared to an EPS $2.65 in 2004.
Looking ahead, CEO Dick Gochnauer said: “We are looking forward to achieving a strong financial performance in 2006. Sales to date are up approximately 10 per cent over the same period last year. Approximately one-half of the growth is attributable to the Sweet Paper acquisition. Our long-term goals continue to be to achieve sales growth in the range of 6 per cent to 9 per cent and annual EPS increases of 12 per cent to 15 per cent over the prior year.”