Staples’ determination to sweep Essendant away from S.P. Richards seems to have borne fruit. In April, Essendant and S.P. Richards, which is owned by Genuine Parts Company (GPC), announced a merger agreement (see “Wholesale Distributors Essendant and S.P. Richards Plan to Merge”). But Essendant soon had a new suitor. Staples has been looking to move
