Essendant Inc. (NASDAQ: ESND), Deerfield, IL, reported sales for the second quarter of $1.3 billion, down 6.9 percent year-over-year. Profit fell 60.6 percent to $5.1 million.
For the quarter, industrial sales increased 1.7 percent to $145.6 million; technology products sales decreased 12.4 percent to $300.2 million; jan-san sales decreased 8.6 percent to $339.4 million; traditional office products sales decreased 10.5 percent to $181.3 million; cut-sheet paper products sales increased 4.7 percent to $106.3 million; office furniture sales decreased 9 percent to $67.9 million; and automotive products sales increased 2 percent to $82.1 million.
"We made good progress advancing our merchandising and pricing initiatives, and our industrial products category delivered growth for the second quarter in a row. However, this was offset by top line pressure that is reflective of persistent industry challenges," said Ric Phillips, interim president and CEO. He replaced Bill Aiken, who resigned in June.
Year-to-date, sales decreased 6.5 percent to $2.5 billion. The company reported a loss of 183.5 million, down from a profit of $29.5 million the same period a year ago.
