United Stationers Inc., Deerfield, IL, announced it would eliminate 250 positions – about 4% of its total workforce – in response to the challenging economic environment as it stays focused on maintaining its sound financial position and delivering strong cash flow.
 
About half of the position eliminations have been identified and will occur this week. The balance should be substantially completed by March 31. Management and non-management employees will be affected by these reductions.
 
"We have a committed and valued workforce, so it is with considerable reluctance that we are proceeding with a staffing reduction," said Richard W. Gochnauer, president and CEO. "This action is, however, a necessary response to current market conditions. By taking this and other cost-saving actions, we are able to better align our expenses with the lower sales levels we are experiencing, without compromising the outstanding service we provide to our customers. We will continue to monitor the demand environment for our products and services and will make further cost adjustments as necessary. Through this difficult period, we are committed to maintaining our strategic growth initiatives and to strengthening our competitive position."
 
United Stationers Inc. is a broad line wholesale distributor of business products, with net sales for 2007 of $4.6 billion.