Cody Phipps talks about United Stationers
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:What’s new at your company?Answer: #147;Over the course of the past several years, United has transformed from an office products wholesaler to a distribution services company that is broadly positioned across many business products. As we head into 2012, we#146;re excited about the strong growth we#146;ve seen in our industrial and janitorial/breakroom units, and growth across our new channels business areas; this growth is being driven by e-tail growth and the development of new resellers models and channels. Overall, we have new capabilities that revolve around broadening the selection of items, cross selling of our items, and adding technology to make it easier for our customers to do business with us.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions: Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;We are hiring or redeploying staff principally around the areas of organic growth.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions: Q: What#146;s the hottest trend in your industry?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;One of the biggest trends for wholesalers is blurring of traditional channels, which United Stationers has translated into cross-selling opportunities. We have the capability to provide more products and services to more channels and customers.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions: Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie CEO, what would it be?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A. #147;There are so many things that can keep you focused internally on the corporation. You have to create opportunities to spend time with customers, suppliers and investors who can provide invaluable insight.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions:
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;To be a purpose-driven organization that enables all of our partners to succeed by meeting their business and social responsibility needs.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions:
Q: For business, who do you look up to?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;I have a lot of respect for those we work with directly, based on their insights, wisdom and vision. Independent resellers because they are adaptable and flexible entrepreneurs, large office supply companies based on the leadership roles they play in the various industries, and e-tailers for what they are doing in and around our space.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions: Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;Most people don#146;t know that I actually wanted to be an astronaut. Early in my career I came to a fork in the road where I had to make a decision to either stay with NASA or work for IBM. Once I chose the business track, an amazing sequence of events and opportunities led to my current role as CEO of United Stationers.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions:Q: What will your company#146;s main challenges be in the next year?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;We, like many businesses, will face some challenges. We will work to keep our costs in line and very smartly redeploy some of our resources. But we feel really good about the momentum we have going into 2012 especially in the industrial, janitorial and breakroom growth areas, our new channels business, and our unique position in the marketplace that affords us an opportunity to leverage shifts to eBusiness and online transactions. Additionally, we remain focused on our mission to be a purpose-driven organization. Our associates are behind us in our strategy, and continue to be our key competitive distinction by seamlessly bringing our value proposition to the market.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions:Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;I have four children that I love to spend time with. I like to work out to stay in shape, and right now I#146;m preparing for the Hustle Up the Hancock event that helps raise money for lung disease research and programs locally. In fact, United Stationers is sponsoring a Hustle team of 65 associates.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions: Q: What book is on your nightstand?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing its Soul.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions:
Q: What keeps you up at night?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;I think at the end of the day, the things that keep me up at night are the things that every senior executive thinks about #8212; like the economy and what could get in the way of making a great company even better. What makes me sleep easier is that at United Stationers, we#146;ve crafted a path to success and feel like we have control of our own destiny that isn#146;t dependent on the economy.#148;
@Biz Ledger Coffee questions: Q: What was your first paying job?
@Biz Ledger Coffee answers:A: #147;I bagged groceries at a small local grocery store in Ohio. With the aid of sage wisdom shared with me by my grandfather back then, I realized that this #145;first job#146; experience helped me learn how talking to people and building relationships were skills that would help me succeed throughout my life and career.#148;
Company: United Stationers Inc.
Name and Title: Cody Phipps, President and CEO
Headquarters address: One Parkway North, Deerfield IL
Industry: Wholesale distribution
Annual sales: 2010 net sales $4.8 billion
Number of employees: 5,700
Website: www.unitedstationers.com
Age: 50
Family information: Phipps resides with his wife and four children in Deerfield.