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Veritiv

vrtv · NYSE Industrials
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Sector Industrials
Industry Conglomerates
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2020 Annual Report · Veritiv
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

In millions, except per share
amounts, at December 31 

2020 

2019

Net Sales _________________________________ $6,345.6  _____ $7,659.4 
Cost of Products Sold ______________________ $5,040.2  _____ $6,206.2 
Net Sales Less Cost of Products Sold _________ $1,305.4  _____ $1,453.2 
Net Income (Loss) _____________________________ $34.2  _______ $(29.5)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share _________________ $2.14  _______ $(1.84)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share _______________ $2.08  _______ $(1.84)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic ________________________________________ 15.96  ________ 16.06
Diluted ______________________________________ 16.48  ________ 16.06
Adjusted EBITDA1  ___________________________ $187.6  _______ $155.9 

1 See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information 

regarding our Non-GAAP measurement. 

VERITIV BY THE NUMBERS IN 2020

$6.3B

NET
SALES

125*

DISTRIBUTION 
CENTERS

17.1M*

SQUARE FEET 
OF DISTRIBUTION 
CENTER SPACE

$188M

ADJUSTED
EBITDA

6,400*

EMPLOYEES

1.24 BILLION

gloves distributed to customers 
and their essential operations

5.7 MILLION

miles traveled to deliver
 essential goods

Our Veritiv team, including our 
warehouse workers and drivers, 
delivered goods to more than 

9,000

customers’ essential operations

900,000

gallons of sanitizer and

780,000

gallons of soap delivered to 
protect our customers’ workers

More than

More than

30 MILLION

masks distributed in 2020

*As of December 31, 2020

orders delivered to

181,000
4,500

healthcare facilities

Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: 
VRTV), headquartered in 
Atlanta and a Fortune 500® 
company, is a full-service 
provider of packaging, 
JanSan and hygiene 
products, services and 
solutions. Additionally, 
Veritiv provides print and 
publishing products, and 
logistics and supply chain 
management solutions. 
Serving customers in a wide 
range of industries both in 
North America and globally, 
Veritiv has distribution 
centers throughout the 
U.S., Canada and Mexico, 
and team members around 
the world helping shape the 
success of its customers. 
With approximately 6,400 
employees, we are driven 
by our Values: Integrity, 
One Team, People 
Commitment, Customer 
Focus, Operational 
Excellence, and Passion  
for Results.

We put decades of industry 
knowledge, expertise, 
and proven supply chain 
ingenuity to work for our 
customers in a wide range 
of industries and a variety 
of businesses – including 
more than half of Fortune 
500® companies. Our 
focus is on the success of 
our customers’ businesses 
and their brands. Driven 
by our innovative people, 
our values, and providing 
exceptional service, helping 
to shape our customers’ 
business success is at the 
heart of everything we do.

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TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

One Veritiv Team:

Driving Solutions That 

Deliver and Delight

This year presented unique and 
unprecedented challenges to 
businesses across the globe as a 
result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
At Veritiv we remained focused on 
ensuring the safety of our employees 
while continuing to meet the needs 
of our customers. 

Our resilient, determined team 
of employees efficiently and 
effectively maintained full operations 
throughout the year. Our warehouse 
and transportation teams took 
the necessary safety precautions 
to deliver products and services 
essential to the health and safety of 
our communities, including hospitals, 
healthcare facilities, schools, and 
emergency response organizations. 
Our office teams quickly pivoted 
and demonstrated their flexibility to 
successfully support our operations 
from their homes. 

Despite a turbulent year, we took 
significant steps toward our vision 
of being a leading provider of 
packaging goods and services. 
The operational changes we made 
this year produced a step-wise 
improvement in our 2020 financial 
results and established a strong 
foundation for the future.

Collectively, these efforts drove year-
over-year improvement in Adjusted 
EBITDA of 20% compared to 2019 
to $188 million. Our proactive 
measures to improve the quality of 
our customer portfolio resulted in 
margin improvements, operating 
efficiencies, and a reduction in our 
bad debt expense over previous 
years. Multi-year efforts to improve 

working capital have had a positive 
impact on cash flow, which is 
reflected in our 2020 free cash flow 
of $266 million and a combined free 
cash flow of $513 million over the 
last two years. 

In 2021, we will remain focused 
on our strategy to invest in higher-
growth, higher-margin businesses 
and continue work to transform our 
company into a leading provider of 
value-added packaging goods and 
services, from concept to delivery. 
The structural changes and strategic 
choices we’ve made over the last 
two years have moved us even closer 
toward this vision. Our significantly 
improved business fundamentals 
and the flexibility of our business 
model are helping us successfully 
weather current challenging market 
dynamics and should serve us well 
as we make the right choices for the 
long-term sustainability and success 
of the company.

proud of our dedicated and 
hardworking Veritiv team. They have 
navigated this very unusual year and 
have demonstrated our ability to 
be nimble and responsive in these 
uncertain times. Our Veritiv values 
will continue to guide our efforts as 
we drive solutions that make a more 
meaningful impact on our customers, 
our suppliers, and our communities. 

I am incredibly honored and 
humbled by the trust the board 
of directors and the broader 
organization have placed in me in 
my new role as CEO. I joined Veritiv 
because I believe strongly in the 
vision and future of the company, 
and I am excited to lead our talented 
team of employees as we embark on 
the next phase of our journey.

Thank you for your continued 
support of Veritiv. 

No one could have ever predicted 
the business environment that 2020 
would bring. We remain immensely 

Salvatore A. Abbate
Chief Executive Officer

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OUR VISION
One team shaping success through exceptional service,

innovative people, and consistent values.

OUR VALUES

ONE TEAM
We collaborate as one team based on what is best for Veritiv as a whole,       

and treat each other with mutual respect.

INTEGRITY
We do the right things, act with honesty and consistency, and truthfully 

represent our capabilities.

PEOPLE COMMITMENT
We engage our employees in the organization’s success and are committed 

to performance management and talent development.

CUSTOMER FOCUS
We are committed to understanding our customers’ needs and providing 

solutions that add value.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
We consistently execute, measure, and improve the safety, efficiency,                 

and quality of the work we do every single day.

PASSION FOR RESULTS
We are passionate about winning and our desire to meet financial, 

operational, and people commitments in the right way.

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Alexis Yodi 
Driver
Charlotte, North Carolina

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DETERMINED

Veritiv is a major part of Alexis 
Yodi’s American dream. He 
left the Democratic Republic of 
the Congo in Africa and came 
to the U.S. speaking very little 
English. Through sheer hard 
work and determination, Alexis 
started at Veritiv in kitting in a 
temporary role, but from the 
very start the Charlotte team 
realized he had something 
special. Alexis was hired full-
time as a warehouse employee 
and received training on 
operating a forklift. Three years 
later, he learned of the Veritiv 
driver training program, signed 
up for the course, and is now 
one of our Charlotte facility’s 
best drivers. He regularly 
receives compliments from 
customers for his willingness 
to go above and beyond to 
make their jobs easier. He 
said, “I owe everything to 
Veritiv. The team in Charlotte 
showed me how to get my 
job done and was patient 
with me. They gave me this 
great new life.” Alexis just 
closed on his first home, and 
he’s looking forward to a long 
future with Veritiv. 

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CREATIVE

When Chamberlain Group, a global 
leader in garage door openers and 
smart access solutions, developed 
ambitious sustainability goals for 
their product packaging, they 
called Veritiv. Matt Barnes, senior 
industrial designer, and the Veritiv 
team set out to marry Chamberlain’s 
eco-friendly product packaging 
objectives with protecting the 
product during shipping and 
delivery. 

Our team designed and created 
molded pulp trays that optimize 
materials, packaging size, assembly 
labor, and manufacturing time. 
“Through prototyping and 
package testing in our labs, we 
validated a successful transition 
to new packaging materials and 
exceeded Chamberlain’s goals,” 
said Matt. “In fact, Chamberlain’s 
CEO even commented that our 
design organized the components 
in a way that makes their product 
easier to install, which their 
customers love.” 

Veritiv’s Design team assesses each 
customer’s packaging goals and 
provides expertise and insights 
that guide the design process 
to deliver on and exceed their 
expectations. Our designers look 
for opportunities to help bridge 
gaps between manufacturing and 
brand development, an approach 
that has enabled our team to 
cement lasting relationships with 
customers and deliver packaging 
solutions that delight.

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Matt Barnes
Senior Industrial Designer
Atlanta, Goergia

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PACKAGING

Veritiv works directly with customers to identify 
and implement packaging solutions that deliver in 
both form and function. Our packaging specialists 
are experts at discovering untapped efficiencies in 
designing, sourcing, and delivering standard and 
custom packaging for customers across a range of 
industries − including consumer packaged goods, 
fulfillment, food processing, retail, and manufacturing. 

Veritiv’s packaging solutions are not restricted to one 
particular substrate − we evaluate every project with 
a material-neutral approach. We have longstanding 
relationships with box plants, sheet plants, and other 
international material sources, providing us with access 
to a wide range of material inputs.

Our packaging solutions span food-grade 

packaging, industrial packaging, point-of-

sale displays, and shipping supplies. Our 
exclusive TUFflex® line of packaging 

essentials delivers enduring performance, maximum 
efficiency, and unmatched value. We also sell and 
distribute single-function and fully automated 
packaging equipment. In addition, we offer assembly 
and fulfillment services, such as kitting − which help 
customers manage seasonal spikes, new market testing, 
and promotions. 

Our packaging business connects form and function 
for our customers through our experienced team 
of designers, engineers, and marketers providing 
expertise for custom improvements in cost and waste 
reduction, logistics, structural and graphical integrity, 
and testing processes.

53%

77%

$3.3B • 53%
REVENUE1

$300M • 77%
ADJ. EBITDA1

1 Other revenue is excluded from the calculation of Revenue by Segment. Corporate and Other expenses are excluded from the calculation for percentage of Adjusted EBITDA by Segment.

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Nick O’Brien
Product Manager
Atlanta, Georgia

TALENTED

Veritiv joined efforts with a Midwest 
state government to source, procure, 
and distribute various types of personal 
protective equipment (PPE). These 
products were required for the state 
to administer statewide COVID-19 
vaccinations, keep the State Emergency 
Management Agency open to provide 
critical care, and protect employees 
in the Department of Health and the 
Department of Public Safety.

Travis Turner, Midwest Region sales 
manager, and Nick O’Brien, product 
manager, teamed up to create a solution. 
With Travis’s and Nick’s insights on 
current market conditions, nuances of 
the constantly changing global supply 
chain for PPE, and open dialogue with 
suppliers and the state, they identified 
ways to help keep critical functions 
operational.

“The value that our Veritiv team 
provides is a consultative, hands-
on approach where we analyze and 
improve complex processes – changing 
the way businesses perform by making 
them more efficient,” said Nick.

This duo also developed solutions 
to keep essential businesses such 
as hospitals and food processors 
operational throughout the pandemic. 
While conducting audits, Veritiv’s 
Certified Continuous Improvement  
Advisors often uncover customers  
using too much product or the wrong  
product while performing daily tasks.  
By reviewing products and processes,  
our team provides expert counsel that 
often leads to greater productivity, less 
waste, fewer injuries in the workplace, 
and happier employees.

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FACILITY SOLUTIONS

Our private brands include Reliable 
Brand® commercial cleaning 
solutions, Spring Grove® food 
service disposable products, 
and our basic line of janitorial 
supplies, PUR VALUETM. Together, 
this portfolio of products 
offers a simplified approach to 
help customers reduce waste, 
increase value, and redirect 
surplus dollars.

FORDIS®, our Canadian 
redistribution business, provides 
solutions to distributors in 
local markets.

A clean facility cannot be underestimated 
for the health of employees, customers, and 
guests. Veritiv’s continuous improvement 
methodology helps countless customers 
learn how to properly clean their facilities 
to reduce illness, increase productivity and 
break the chain of cross infection utilizing 
our cleaning and food service products, 
management programs, and analysis tools to 
maintain high levels of facility excellence.

Veritiv manages an expansive supply chain, 
partnering with world-class manufacturers 
in health and hygiene products. Our 
experts can help customers in these vital 
areas: surface cleaning chemicals, personal 
protective equipment (PPE), cleaning tools 
and equipment, and hand hygiene. 

We have the hands-on expertise and sourcing 
capabilities to serve customers across a wide 
range of industries, including office buildings, 
manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, 
government, and other high-traffic venues. 

15%

11%

$0.9B • 15%
REVENUE1

$41.6M • 11%
ADJ. EBITDA1

Travis Turner
Midwest Region Sales Manager
Fenton, Missouri

1 Other revenue is excluded from the calculation of Revenue by Segment. Corporate and Other expenses 

are excluded from the calculation for percentage of Adjusted EBITDA by Segment.

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PRINT

Veritiv is the North American leader in print and 
paper solutions. In this quickly changing market we 
leverage a global network of world-class suppliers and 
deliver locally to customers in the commercial print, 
digital, and graphic communications industries. Our 
national footprint of distribution centers is stocked 
with a comprehensive offering of print products. The 
combination of our best-in-class private brand portfolio 
and leading domestic and international mill brands offer 
customers the dependability and versatility they require. 

Our experience and unique offerings in logistics and 
supply chain efficiency, new revenue generation, service 
excellence, chain of custody and sustainable sourcing, 
and customized reporting are all aimed to help our 
customers reach their goals.  

Together with our dedicated team members and 
our deep understanding of the commercial printer 
landscape, we can most effectively service our 
customers across a multitude of platforms.

Veritiv’s paper and print private                   
brands include:

23%

9%

• Endurance®                     
• Starbrite®         
Opaque Select

• Comet® Multipurpose
• Econosource®                                  

• Seville®
• Showcase™
• Galaxy®                            
• ViV®
• PoliPrint™

$1.5B • 23%
REVENUE1

$33.7M • 9%
ADJ. EBITDA1

Vivian Weiser
Director, Customer Experience
Downey, California

1 Other revenue is excluded from the calculation of Revenue by Segment. Corporate and Other expenses are excluded from the calculation for percentage of Adjusted EBITDA by Segment.

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DEDICATED

The Veritiv Customer Experience 
team is constantly looking at 
ways to strengthen and improve 
service to our customers and 
deliver on our Customer Focus 
commitment. Vivian Weiser, 
director of customer experience 
for Veritiv’s Print business, leads 
teams across the country focusing 
on improving performance and 
creating greater efficiencies to 
directly benefit our commercial 
printing customers. The team 
recently implemented a proactive, 
daily communication to assist 
customers with their job planning, 
which further reinforces the trust 
Veritiv shares with our customers. 
“My team is dedicated and 
passionate about the service 
and support we provide to our 
customers. We have a skilled 
team with the ability to engage 
customers and solve problems 
quickly to create a positive 
experience,” said Vivian. 

Our Customer Experience team 
across all segments in Print, 
Packaging, and Facility Solutions 
processed nearly 18 million items 
with 99 percent accuracy in 2020. 
Our 557-member team fielded 
728,725 phone calls. 

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PUBLISHING AND PRINT MANAGEMENT

Through Veritiv’s two complementary publishing and 
print management businesses, Bulkley Dunton and 
Graphic Communications, our specialists provide 
customized solutions that offer retailers, publishers, 
catalogers, direct mail companies, grocers, corporate 
enterprise businesses, and printers the greatest return 
on their media and print programs.

By differentiating paper purchasing from printing, Veritiv 
Publishing & Print Management, Inc. (VPPM) is able to 
leverage our sophisticated and expansive supply chain 
to ensure consistent and predictable costs, quality, and 
paper availability for customers of all sizes. VPPM is able 
to analyze our clients’ complete media requirements 
to complement their print and paper programs. With 
a client base ranging from Fortune 500® companies 
to small local businesses, our industry consultants are 

experts at scaling solutions to shield clients from market 
volatility while maintaining their brand requirements 
and appropriate certifications. 

Our paper and print consultants match customers’ 
unique needs with cutting-edge marketing solutions, 
leading paper mills, and printers that best meet their 
standards for price, paper quality, production, and 
environmental sustainability, including Chain of Custody 
certification and recycled papers.

9%

3%

$0.5B • 9%
REVENUE1

$12.8M • 3%
ADJ. EBITDA1

Scott Bond
Publishing Sales Executive
New York, New York

1 Other revenue is excluded from the calculation of Revenue by Segment. Corporate and Other expenses are excluded from the calculation for percentage of Adjusted EBITDA by Segment.

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EXPERIENCED

Adjusting to the digital age in 
publishing is an ever-changing 
challenge and requires a 
dedicated, diligent team of 
professionals. One of the 
largest accounts at Veritiv’s 
paper brokerage business, 
Bulkley Dunton, challenged 
Scott Bond, Publishing sales 
executive, to set up a national 
network of inventories to 
significantly reduce lead 
times required in the new 
business environment. The 
team successfully delivered! 
According to Scott, who has 
been with Veritiv’s publishing 
business for 30 years, 
“Along with colleagues 
Cate Papageorge and Jean 
O’Malley, the entire Bulkley 
Dunton team takes an 
intensely personal interest 
in our clients and we do all 
that is necessary to maintain 
their business year after 
year.” And Bulkley Dunton has 
been succeeding for a very 
long time. The business, which 
includes a portfolio of clients 
in the magazine, catalog, 
direct mail, and freestanding 
insert business, was originally 
founded in 1833 in New 
York and is one of the five 
oldest continuously operating 
companies in the city. 

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CARING

While maintaining a high-
level of customer service as a 
national pricing coordinator 
in Veritiv’s Exton, PA, office, 
what Ramona Moreland did 
while working from home to 
give back to the community is 
remarkable. Shortly after Veritiv 
asked all office employees 
to work remotely due to the 
pandemic, Moreland no longer 
had an hour commute each day 
and found herself with some 
additional time on her hands. 
Ramona saw a need and used 
her extra time to begin making 
masks utilizing her sewing skills 
and supplies she had from 
her Chester County Quilting 
Etsy shop. In total, Ramona 
has created more than 1,000 
masks and has donated them 
to co-workers, friends, nursing 
homes, children’s groups, 
homeless shelters, and more. 
She has mailed her homemade 
masks to organizations across 
the country and to Europe, all 
at her own expense. “I’ll never 
know if any of my masks kept 
anyone from getting sick, but 
I’ll always know that I did 
what I could to help,” said 
Ramona. 

Ramona is just one of the many 
Veritiv employees who regularly 
give their time and talents 
to support local community 
organizations where we live  
and work.

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Ramona Moreland
National Pricing Coordinator
Exton, Pennsylvania

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SUPPORTING LOCAL 

COMMUNITIES

Volunteering: Our people are our 
difference. Together we work on 
company-wide initiatives and ones that 
are closer to our local communities. 
Across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, 
our teams make a difference with food 
bank donations, community clean-up 
projects, and building houses for those 
in need. 

EMPLOYEES HELPING 

EMPLOYEES

One Veritiv Fund: Funded by 
employee contributions, the One 
Veritiv Fund provides short-term 
financial relief to eligible Veritiv 
employees who have suffered 
significant hardship as a result of 
unforeseen events such as natural 
disaster, medical emergency, a 
pandemic, or military deployment.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

At Veritiv, giving back to our 
community is not simply a value-
add, it is a core responsibility –  
one that contributes to the survival 
and well-being of our business, 
our people, and our planet. 
Driven by our core values and 
Veritiv Connects, our community 
engagement and philanthropy 
program, we focus our efforts on 
corporate giving and employee 
volunteer efforts to help shape 
the success of the hundreds of 
communities where we live and 
work. 

We created our Corporate 
Social Responsibility Report with 
additional information for each 
of the following initiatives. More 
information can be found at www.
veritivcorp.com/sustainability.  

PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS

Learning: We value workforce 
readiness and programs that support 
talent development and prepare 
individuals for careers in distribution 
solutions and beyond. An educated 
and skilled workforce is essential for 
our success.

Healthy Living: Prosperous, healthy, 
and sustainable communities are 
important to Veritiv, to our customers, 
and to society. We deliver support 
where we can make the biggest 
difference.

In support of these primary focus 
areas, Veritiv is proud to continue our 
partnerships with Junior Achievement 
and the American Red Cross, providing 
in-kind donations, monetary support, 
and Veritiv volunteer teams.

American Red Cross – Veritiv and 
our employees made monetary 
contributions to support “Sound the 
Alarm” campaign, a home fire safety 
initiative, where the American Red 
Cross installs free smoke alarms and 
helps families create escape plans in 
at-risk communities. In addition, Veritiv 
offices participated in American Red 
Cross blood drives. 

Junior Achievement – Veritiv partners 
with Junior Achievement in support 
of our Learning focus area to provide 
middle and high school students with 
the knowledge and skills they need 
to plan for their futures. In 2020, we 
unveiled a Veritiv storefront in an 
Atlanta-area Junior Achievement 
Discovery Center. The JA Discovery 
Centers allow students to immerse 
themselves in real-world business 
and experience work beyond the 
classroom. Our storefront, designed 
by the Veritiv Design Team, showcases 
how packaging design and distribution 
works. 

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SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

can discover new ways to reduce waste and minimize use of 
materials that can be or already are made of recycled content. 
At the end of life, Veritiv can partner to explore materials that 
can be returned, recycled, and reused in creative ways, and 
measure impact. 

Services – Veritiv’s packaging designers and continuous 
improvement methodology can enhance packaging and 
manufacturing processes to be more sustainable. By analyzing 
materials and design, then testing and rethinking packaging, 
our customers are able to reduce costs on shipping, enter new 
markets, and strengthen e-commerce sales. With facilities, our 
continuous improvement approach is more than continuous 
improvement - it is a philosophy that eliminates waste and 
allows more effective management of operations. 

Efficiency – In addition to helping our customers apply 
continuous improvement principles, we do the same for our 
own facilities and supply chain to eliminate waste and reduce 
energy consumption. Veritiv strives to deliver improvements 
in fuel efficiency through route optimization, equipment 
upgrades, and maintaining a modern fleet of trucks. In 2020, 
Veritiv  is proud to have reduced total fuel consumption 
by 21 percent from the previous year, which totals 
almost 900,000 gallons of fuel conservation. 
Veritiv also partners with ENGIE Impact to 
assess and optimize our energy and water 
usage in all North American facilities.

Mark Lyle
Driver
Salem, Virginia

SAFETY

At Veritiv, we are committed to providing all team members 
with a safe and healthy workplace and continuing to refine 
our culture of proactive safety. Our Target Zero approach 
symbolizes our goal of zero unrecognized and unresolved 
hazards that can lead to injuries. We strive to achieve that 
goal every day. Through Target Zero, we empower and 
engage all Veritiv employees in proactive identification of 
workplace hazards and the development of practical solutions 
integrated with business operations. In 2020, our Total Injury 
Rate (TIR)1 for our operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico 
was 0.86.

Our SCORE (Stop, Consider, Observe, React, and Execute) 
safety initiative continued to improve safety results in 2020, 
helping to reduce injuries. The program facilitates simple 
communication to workers about how to approach daily tasks 
safely, regardless of how routine the task may be.

In addition, our material handling equipment (MHE) initiative, 
MHE SAFE (Share, Address, Facilitate, Engage), continues 
to keep employees focused on safety fundamentals while 
operating MHE. 

ENVIRONMENT

Veritiv established a Sustainability Working Group in 2020 to 
more effectively coordinate the company’s efforts regarding 
sustainability. This group is working with internal and 
external stakeholders and our senior management team to 
further develop our sustainability goals. As a leading North 
American packaging solutions company, we recognize that 
our businesses have an impact on the environment. We 
believe innovation can improve business, society, and the 
environment. We focus our environmental sustainability efforts 
in these areas: products, services, and efficiencies. 

Products – Veritiv is committed to sourcing environmentally 
sustainable products, in both our private brands and supplier 
brand product lines. We offer a range of products that 
meet widely acknowledged environmental standards and 
certifications. We offer solutions for every stage of a product’s 
life. For the beginning of life, Veritiv can responsibly source 
established and emerging materials that are renewable or 
contain recycled content. In the middle of life, Veritiv teams 

1 TIR is calculated using the OSHA criteria for recordability and OSHA calculation methodologies. 
TIR – Total Recordable Injuries X 200,000/Total Hours Worked. The 200,000 hours in the formula 
represent the equivalent of 100 employees working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year and 
provides the standard basis for the injury rate. 

14

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RESILIENT

Veritiv is committed to safety 
in all of our operations. Each 
year, the Transportation team 
honors top drivers across the 
company who have exemplary 
safety records, and Mark Lyle 
from Salem, VA, has been 
recognized as Veritiv’s safest 
driver two years in a row. In his 
20 years at Veritiv, Mark has 
many memories and countless 
stories of working with kind and 
wonderful customers and co-
workers.

“One of the greatest parts 
of this job is that I have a 
different view every day,”  
said Mark. 

Mark and our resilient team 
of drivers in the U.S., Canada, 
and Mexico, have seamlessly 
maintained operations 
throughout the pandemic, 
delivering goods essential 
to our communities and 
delivering on our Customer 
Focus commitment. Veritiv 
drivers safely navigated more 
than 32 million miles in 2020 
and delivered to nearly 60,000 
customers.

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MANAGEMENT TEAM

BACK: TRACY L. PEARSON Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Operations, MARK W. HIANIK Senior Vice President, General Counsel and 
Corporate Secretary, STEPHANIE E. MAYERLE Senior Vice President, Sales, DANIEL J. WATKOSKE Senior Vice President, Print and Publishing,                               
PETER C. TROUP Vice President, Corporate Development, STEPHEN J. SMITH Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

FRONT: MICHAEL D. WALKENHORST Senior Vice President, Developing Businesses, DEAN A. ADELMAN Senior Vice President and Chief 
Human Resources Officer, KAREN K. RENNER Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, SALVATORE A. ABBATE Chief Executive Officer,                                     
DANIEL B. CALDERWOOD Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Management

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SALVATORE ABBATE
Chief Executive Officer

SHANTELLA E.
COOPER 2, 3
Executive Director - Atlanta 
Committee for Progress

DAVID E.
FLITMAN 1, 2
President - Builders 
FirstSource, Inc. 

DANIEL T.
    HENRY 1, 2
Retired Chief Financial Officer 
and Executive Vice President of 
American Express Company

TRACY A.
    LEINBACH 2*, 3
Retired Executive Vice President 
and Chief Financial Officer of 
Ryder System, Inc.

STEPHEN E.
MACADAM
Chairman of the Board of 
Veritiv Corporation

MICHAEL P.    
    MULDOWNEY 1*, 3
Chief Executive Officer of 
Foxford Capital, LLC

CHARLES G.
     WARD, III 1, 3*
Retired Partner of Perella 
Weinberg Partners

Board Committees: 1– Audit and Finance  2– Compensation and  Leadership Development  3– Nominating and Governance  *– Denotes Committee Chair

16

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UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C.  20549 
FORM 10-K
☒    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to _________
Commission file number 001-36479

VERITIV CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction
 of incorporation or organization)

1000 Abernathy Road NE
Building 400, Suite 1700
Atlanta, Georgia

(Address of principal executive offices)

46-3234977

(I.R.S. Employer Identification 
Number)

30328
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(770) 391-8200

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, $0.01 par value

VRTV

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), 
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller 
reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller 
reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large accelerated filer ☐
☐
Non-accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

☒
☒
☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for 
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness 
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered 
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes ☐ No ☒  

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant, 
based on the closing sale price of those shares on the New York Stock Exchange reported on June 30, 2020, was $216,502,354.  For 
the purposes of this disclosure only, the registrant has assumed that its directors and executive officers (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under 
the Exchange Act) and UWW Holdings, LLC are the affiliates of the registrant.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February 26, 2021 was 15,973,884.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into 
Part III of this Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Part I
Item 1.

Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item 2. 

Item 3.

Item 4.

Part II

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Item 7A.

Item 8.

Item 9.

Business

Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Item 9B.

Other Information

Part III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.

Part IV
Item 15.
Item 16.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary

SIGNATURES

Page

1

2

9

20

20

21

21

22

25

26

46

48

103

103

106

107
107
107
107
107

108
111

112

(This page has been left blank intentionally.)

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this report regarding the Company's future operating results, performance, business 

plans, prospects, guidance, the 2020 Restructuring Plan and any other restructuring, statements related to the impact of 
COVID-19 and any other statements not constituting historical fact are "forward-looking statements" subject to the safe 
harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Where possible, the words "believe," "expect," 
"anticipate," "continue," "intend," "should," "will," "would," "planned," "estimated," "potential," "goal," "outlook," "may," 
"predicts," "could," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable expressions, as they relate to the Company or its 
business, have been used to identify such forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements reflect only the 
Company's current beliefs and assumptions with respect to future operating results, performance, business plans, prospects, 
guidance and other matters, and are based on information currently available to the Company.  Accordingly, the statements 
are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, which could cause the Company's actual operating results, 
performance, business plans, prospects or guidance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these 
statements. 

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include risks and other factors 

described under "Risk Factors" in this report and elsewhere in the Company's publicly available reports filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which contain a discussion of various factors that may affect the Company's 
business or financial results. Such risks and other factors, which in some instances are beyond the Company's control, 
include: adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products; 
increased competition from existing and non-traditional sources; procurement and other risks in obtaining packaging, 
facility products and paper from our suppliers for resale to our customers; changes in prices for raw materials; changes in 
trade policies and regulations; increases in the cost of fuel and third-party freight and the availability of third-party freight 
providers; the loss of any of our significant customers; uncertainties as to the structure, timing, benefits and costs of the 2020 
Restructuring Plan or any future restructuring plan that the Company may undertake; adverse developments in general 
business and economic conditions that could impair our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred 
tax assets; our ability to adequately protect our material intellectual property and other proprietary rights, or to defend 
successfully against intellectual property infringement claims by third parties; our ability to attract, train and retain highly 
qualified employees; our pension and health care costs and participation in multi-employer pension, health and welfare 
plans; the effects of work stoppages, union negotiations and labor disputes; our ability to generate sufficient cash to service 
our debt; increasing interest rates; our ability to refinance or restructure our debt on reasonable terms and conditions as 
might be necessary from time to time; our ability to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements; costs to 
comply with laws, rules and regulations, including environmental, health and safety laws, and to satisfy any liability or 
obligation imposed under such laws; changes in tax laws; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or 
audits, or tax-related proceedings or audits; regulatory changes and judicial rulings impacting our business; the impact of 
adverse developments in general business and economic conditions as well as conditions in the global capital and credit 
markets on demand for our products and services, our business including our international operations, and our customers; 
foreign currency fluctuations; inclement weather, widespread outbreak of an illness, anti-terrorism measures and other 
disruptions to our supply chain, distribution system and operations; our dependence on a variety of information technology 
and telecommunications systems and the Internet; our reliance on third-party vendors for various services; cybersecurity 
risks; and other events of which we are presently unaware or that we currently deem immaterial that may result in 
unexpected adverse operating results.

For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in this report 

and in other filings we make with the SEC.  Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the 
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new 
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.  In addition, historical information should not be 
considered as an indicator of future performance.

1

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Our Company

Veritiv Corporation ("Veritiv" or the "Company" and sometimes referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as 

"we", "our" or "us") is a leading North American business-to-business full-service provider of value-added packaging 
products and services, as well as facility solutions, print and publishing products and services.  Additionally, Veritiv provides 
logistics and supply chain management solutions to its customers.  Veritiv's focus on segment-tailored market leadership in 
distribution and a commitment to operational excellence allows it to partner with world class suppliers, add value through 
multiple capabilities and deliver solutions to a wide range of customer segments.

We operate from 125 distribution centers primarily throughout the United States ("U.S."), Canada and Mexico, 

serving customers across a broad range of industry sectors.  These sectors include manufacturing, food processing and 
service, fulfillment and internet retail, property management, higher education, healthcare, entertainment and hospitality, 
commercial printing and publishing.

Veritiv's business is organized under four reportable segments: Packaging, Facility Solutions, Print, and Publishing 

and Print Management ("Publishing").  This segment structure is consistent with the way the Chief Operating Decision 
Maker, who is Veritiv's Chief Executive Officer, makes operating decisions and manages the growth and profitability of the 
Company's business.  The Company also has a Corporate & Other category, which includes certain assets and costs not 
primarily attributable to any of the reportable segments as well as our Veritiv logistics solutions business, which provides 
transportation and warehousing solutions.  The following summary describes the products and services offered in each of the 
reportable segments:

•

•

•

•

Packaging – Veritiv is a global provider of packaging products, services and solutions.  The Packaging segment 
provides custom and standard packaging solutions for customers based in North America and in key global markets.  
We service our customers with a full spectrum of packaging product materials within the fiber-based, flexible and 
rigid categories.  The business is strategically focused on higher growth industry sectors including manufacturing, 
food processing and service, fulfillment and internet retail, as well as niche sectors based on industry and product 
expertise.  Veritiv's packaging professionals create customer value through supply chain solutions, structural and 
graphic packaging design and engineering, automation, workflow and equipment services and kitting.

Facility Solutions – Veritiv is a global provider of hygiene and facility solutions products and services.  The Facility 
Solutions segment sources and sells cleaning, break-room and other supplies such as towels, tissues, commercial 
cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment and safety supplies, wipers, can liners, soaps and sanitizers, 
dispensers, sanitary maintenance supplies and equipment, hazard supplies, and shampoos and amenities primarily in 
North America.  Through this segment we manage a world class network of leading suppliers in most facilities 
solutions categories.  Additionally, we offer total cost of ownership solutions with re-merchandising, budgeting and 
compliance reporting, inventory management, and a sales-force trained to bring leading vertical expertise to the 
major North American geographies. 

Print – The Print segment sells and distributes commercial printing, writing, copying, digital, specialty products, 
graphics consumables and graphics equipment primarily in North America.  This segment also includes customized 
paper conversion services of commercial printing paper for distribution to document centers and form printers.  Our 
broad geographic platform of operations coupled with the breadth of paper and graphics products, including our 
exclusive private brand offerings, provides a foundation to service national, regional and local customers across 
North America.

Publishing – The Publishing segment sells and distributes coated and uncoated commercial printing papers to 
publishers, retailers, converters, printers and specialty businesses for use in magazines, catalogs, books, directories, 
gaming, couponing, retail inserts and direct mail primarily in the U.S.  This segment also provides print 
management, procurement and supply chain management solutions to simplify paper and print procurement 
processes for our customers.

2

The table below summarizes net sales for each of the above reportable segments, as well as the Corporate & Other 

category, as a percentage of consolidated net sales:

Packaging

Facility Solutions

Print

Publishing

Corporate & Other

Total

2020

52%

15%

23%

9%

1%

100%

Year Ended December 31,
2019

45%

15%

28%

10%

2%

100%

2018

41%

15%

31%

12%

1%

100%

Additional financial information regarding our reportable business segments and certain geographic information is 

included in Item 7 of this report and in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.

Our History

Veritiv was established in 2014, following the spin-off of International Paper Company's ("International Paper") 

xpedx distribution solutions business ("xpedx") and the merger (the "Merger") of xpedx with UWW Holdings, Inc. 
("UWWH"), the parent company of Unisource Worldwide, Inc. ("Unisource").  Following the Merger, Veritiv's common 
stock began regular-way trading on the New York Stock Exchange on July 2, 2014 under the ticker symbol "VRTV".

On August 31, 2017, Veritiv completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in various All American 

Containers entities (collectively, "AAC"), a family owned and operated distributor of rigid packaging products, including 
plastic, glass and metal containers, caps, closures and plastic pouches.  The acquisition of AAC aligns with the Company's 
strategy of investing in higher growth and higher margin segments of the business.  Through the acquisition, Veritiv gained 
expertise in rigid plastic, glass and metal packaging that complements its portfolio of packaging products and services.  This 
acquisition also provided Veritiv with additional marketing, selling and distribution channels into the growing U.S. rigid 
packaging market.

Products and Services

Veritiv distributes well-known national and regional brand products as well as products marketed under its own 

private label brands.  Products under the Company's private label brands are manufactured by third-party suppliers in 
accordance with specifications established by the Company.  Our portfolio of private label products includes:

•

•

•

Packaging products under the TUFflex brand, which include stretch film, mailers, shrink film, carton sealing tape 
and other specialty tapes;
Foodservice disposable products, cleaning chemicals, towels and tissues, can liners, sanitary maintenance supplies 
and a wide range of facility supplies products under the Reliable, Spring Grove and PUR Value brands; and
Coated and uncoated papers, coated board and cut size under the Endurance, nordic+, Comet, Starbrite Opaque 
Select and other brands.

The table below summarizes sales of products sold under private label brands as a percentage of the respective 

reportable segment's or total Company's net sales for the periods shown:

Packaging

Facility Solutions

Print

Total Company

Year Ended December 31,
2019

6%

9%

19%

9%

2020

6%

8%

20%

9%

2018

6%

9%

19%

10%

3

Customers

We serve customers across a broad range of industry sectors, through a variety of means ranging from multi-year 

sales agreements to transactional sales.  For many of its largest customers, the Company enters into multi-year contracts that 
set forth the terms and conditions of sale including product pricing and incentive agreements, which are generally based on 
sales volume targets.  The Company's customers are generally not required to purchase any minimum amount of products 
under these agreements and can place orders on an individual purchase order basis.  For the years ended December 31, 2020, 
2019 and 2018, no single customer accounted for more than 5% of the Company's consolidated net sales. 

Suppliers

We purchase our products from thousands of suppliers, both domestic and international, across different business 

segments.  Although varying by segment, the Company's suppliers consist generally of large corporations selling brand name 
and private label products and, to a more limited extent, independent regional and private label suppliers.  Suppliers are 
selected based on customer demand for the product and a supplier's total service, cost and product quality offering. 

Our sourcing organization supports the purchasing of well-known national and regional brand products as well as 
products marketed under our own private label brands from key national suppliers in the packaging, facility solutions and 
print industries.  The Publishing segment primarily operates as a direct ship business aligned with the Company's core 
supplier strategy.  In addition, under the guidance and oversight of the sourcing team, our merchandising personnel, located 
within individual distribution centers, source products not available within our core offering in order to meet specialized 
customer needs.

The product sourcing program is designed to ensure that the Company is able to offer consistent product selections 
and market competitive pricing across the enterprise while maintaining the ability to service localized market requirements.  
Our procurement program is also focused on replenishment which includes purchase order placement and controlling the total 
cost of inventory by proactively managing the number of days inventory on hand, negotiating favorable payment terms and 
maintaining vendor-owned and vendor-managed programs.  As one of the largest purchasers of packaging, facility supplies, 
and paper and graphics products, we can qualify for volume allowances with some suppliers and can realize significant 
economies of scale.  During the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 30% of our purchases were made from ten 
suppliers.

Competition

The packaging, facility solutions, paper and publishing distribution industry is highly competitive, with numerous 
regional and local competitors, and is a mature industry characterized by slowing growth or, in the case of paper, declining 
demand.  The Company's principal competitors include national, regional and local distributors, national and regional 
manufacturers, independent brokers and both catalog-based and online business-to-business suppliers.  Most of these 
competitors generally offer a wide range of products at prices comparable to those Veritiv offers, though at varying service 
levels.  Additionally, new competition could arise from non-traditional sources, group purchasing organizations, e-commerce, 
discount wholesalers or consolidation among competitors.  Veritiv believes it offers the full range of services required to 
effectively compete, but if new competitive sources appear, it may result in margin erosion or make it more difficult to attract 
and retain customers.

•

•

The following summary briefly describes the key competitive landscape for each of Veritiv's reportable segments:

Packaging – The packaging market is fragmented and consists of competition from national and regional packaging 
distributors, national and regional manufacturers of packaging materials, independent brokers and both catalog-
based and online business-to-business suppliers.  Veritiv believes there are few national packaging distributors with 
substrate neutral design capabilities similar to the Company's capabilities.

Facility Solutions – There are few national, but numerous regional and local distributors of facility supply solutions. 
Several groups of distributors have created strategic alliances among multiple distributors to provide broader 
geographic coverage for larger customers.  Other key competitors include the business-to-business divisions of big 
box stores, purchasing group affiliates and both catalog-based and online business-to-business suppliers.

4

•

•

Print – Industry sources estimate that there are hundreds of regional and local companies engaged in the marketing 
and distribution of paper and graphics products.  While the Company believes there are few national distributors of 
paper and graphics products similar to Veritiv, several regional and local distributors have cooperated together to 
serve customers nationally.  The Company's customers also have the opportunity to purchase products directly from 
paper and graphics manufacturers.  In addition, competitors include regional and local specialty distributors, office 
supply and big box stores, online business-to-business suppliers, independent brokers and large commercial printers 
that broker the sale of paper in connection with the sale of their printing services.

Publishing – The publishing market is serviced by printers, paper brokers and distributors.  The Company's 
customers also have the opportunity to purchase paper directly from paper manufacturers.  The market consists 
primarily of magazine and book publishers, cataloguers, direct mailers and retail customers using catalog, insert and 
direct mail as a method of advertising. 

We believe that our competitive advantages include approximately 1,200 sales and marketing professionals and the 

breadth of our selection of quality products, including high-quality private brands.  The breadth of products distributed and 
services offered, the diversity of the types of customers served, and our broad geographic footprint in the U.S., Canada and 
Mexico buffer the impact of regional economic declines while also providing a network to readily serve national accounts.

Distribution and Logistics

Timely and accurate delivery of a customer's order, on a consistent basis, are important criteria in a customer's 

decision to purchase products and services from Veritiv.  Delivery of products is provided through two primary channels, 
either from the Company's distribution centers or directly from the manufacturer.  Our distribution centers offer a range of 
delivery options depending on the customer's needs and preferences, and the strategic placement of the distribution centers 
also allows for delivery of special or "rush" orders to many customers. 

Working Capital

Veritiv's working capital needs generally reflect the need to carry significant amounts of inventory in our 

distribution centers to meet delivery requirements of our customers, as well as significant accounts receivable balances.  As is 
typical in our industry, our customers often do not pay upon receipt, but are offered terms which are dependent on the 
specific circumstances of the sale. 

Human Capital

Veritiv’s key human capital management objectives include attracting, developing, engaging and retaining skilled 

and diverse talent to drive the success of our business and to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers.  These 
objectives are aligned with our Veritiv Values: Integrity, One Team, People Commitment, Customer Focus, Operational 
Excellence and Passion for Results.

Our workforce includes employees in sales, customer service, and warehouse operations in addition to corporate 

functions.  By geography, approximately 76% and 14% of our workforce is located in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, with 
a presence in almost every state in the U.S. and most provinces in Canada.  We also have employees located in Mexico (8%) 
and other countries (2%).  Approximately half of our workforce is male and the other half is female.

As of December 31, 2020, Veritiv had approximately 6,400 employees worldwide, of which approximately 9% were 
in collective bargaining units.  Approximately 63% of those employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that 
will expire in 2021.  Labor contract negotiations are handled on an individual basis by a cross-functional team including 
Human Resources and Operations, with legal support.  We currently expect that we will be able to renegotiate these 
agreements on satisfactory terms.  We consider labor relations to be good.

Our human resources programs are designed to promote employee safety and to attract, develop, engage and retain 

talent.  We have a robust talent review and succession planning process and our goal is to have at least one "ready now" 
candidate and one "ready in 1 – 3 years" candidate for each critical position to prepare candidates for critical roles.  We 
reward and support employees through competitive pay and benefit programs; enhance the Company’s culture through our 
values and other engagement efforts; develop talent internally through job rotations and learning programs to create a high-
performing, diverse workforce; and strive to make safety a key focus across the organization.

5

Some examples of programs and initiatives designed to attract, develop, engage and retain our workforce include:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 

◦

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ("DEI") Working Group developed and oversees our DEI strategy and 
objectives that include micro-learning modules focused on our talent acquisition teams, our managers, our 
leaders and our broader workforce.  The key elements of our strategy are to engage with employees by 
creating experiences that celebrate diverse people and perspectives, equip our organization by creating a 
culture that encourages constant and relevant learning and empowers employees by cultivating confidence 
through a "One Veritiv" perspective that grows diverse and innovative leaders.

Employee Engagement: 

◦

In the fourth quarter of 2020, we hosted listening sessions to engage our employees in small group dialogue 
with Senior Lead Team members to encourage information sharing and drive engagement.  We have 
developed in-depth action plans to address issues and feedback raised in the listening sessions.

Employee Well-Being and Safety:

•

•

•

◦ We provide comprehensive healthcare benefits to virtually all our employees in the U.S. and Canada that 
are designed to meet the varied and evolving needs of our diverse workforce.  In addition, we provide free 
mental and behavioral health resources, including on-demand access to the Employee Assistance Program 
for employees and their dependents.

◦ We are committed to providing all team members with a safe and healthy workplace and continuing to 

refine our culture of proactive safety.  Managing and reducing risks at our facilities remains a focus, and 
injury rates have continued to be low.

•

Talent Development and Learning:

◦ We support the long-term career aspirations of our employees through education and personal 

◦

development.  We pay a portion of tuition costs for employees in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. 
A unique Company-paid program supports hourly warehouse workers to become certified, licensed truck 
drivers and provides opportunities to get licensed and gain required driver hours on work time. 

◦ We prioritize and invest in creating opportunities to help employees gain skills and develop in their careers 
through a multitude of training and development programs.  These include online, instructor-led and on-
the-job learning formats as well as executive assessment, coaching, talent and succession planning.
A paid internship program provides job experience to high school and college students in a variety of job 
functions and is a source for future full-time talent.

◦

Throughout the pandemic caused by the coronavirus ("COVID-19"), we have focused on protecting the health and 
safety of our employees in our distribution centers and our offices while meeting the needs of our customers and mitigating 
any interruptions to our business.  Early in March 2020, we initiated our Corporate Incident Response Team and we adopted 
safety measures and practices across our facilities to limit exposure to the virus and to enhance employee safety.  We 
modified practices at our distribution centers and offices based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention and local health and governmental authorities.  These practices include social distancing, enhanced cleaning 
protocols, usage of personal protective equipment, as well as restricting all non-essential travel and promoting remote work 
wherever feasible.  Our employees have adapted to the changes in work environment and have managed our business 
successfully during this challenging time.  To thank our employees for their contributions to the Company’s success in 
managing through the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to serve customers and meet business needs, we provided a cash 
bonus to employees who are not eligible for other bonus or commission programs. 

Government Relations

Our transportation operations are subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Regulations.  We are also subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding licensing and inspection of facilities, 
including compliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act.  These regulations require us to comply with health 
and safety standards to protect our employees from accidents and establish communication programs to transmit information 
on the hazards of certain chemicals present in specific products that we distribute.

We are also subject to regulation by numerous U.S., Canadian and Mexican federal, state and local regulatory 
agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Labor, which sets employment practice standards for workers.  
Although we are subject to other U.S., Canadian and Mexican federal, state and local provisions relating to the protection of 
the environment and the discharge or destruction of materials, these provisions do not materially impact the use or operation 

6

of the Company's facilities.  Compliance with these laws has not had, and is not anticipated to have, a material effect on 
Veritiv's capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Intellectual Property

We have numerous well-recognized trademarks, represented primarily by our private label brands.  See the Products 

and Services section of this Item 1 Business for additional information regarding our private label brand sales.  Most of our 
trademark registrations are effective for an initial period of ten years, and we generally renew our trademark registrations 
before their expiration dates for trademarks that are in use or have reasonable potential for future use.  Although our 
Packaging, Facility Solutions and Print segments rely on a number of trademarks that, in the aggregate, provide important 
protections to the Company, no single trademark is material to any one of these segments.  Additionally, Veritiv does not 
have any material patents or licenses.

Seasonality

The Company's operating results are subject to seasonal influences.  Historically, our higher consolidated net sales 

have occurred during the third and fourth quarters while our lowest consolidated net sales have occurred during the first 
quarter.  The Packaging segment net sales have traditionally increased each quarter throughout the year and net sales for the 
first quarter have typically been less than net sales for the fourth quarter of the preceding year.  Production schedules for non-
durable goods that build up to the holidays and peak in the fourth quarter drive this seasonal net sales pattern.  Net sales for 
the Facility Solutions segment have traditionally peaked in the third quarter due to increased summer demand in the away-
from-home resort, cruise and hospitality markets and from back-to-school activities.  Within the Print and Publishing 
segments, seasonality is driven by increased magazine advertising page counts, retail inserts, catalogs and direct mail 
primarily due to back-to-school, political election and holiday-related advertising and promotions in the second half of the 
year.  The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the Company's seasonal patterns in net sales across all segments and on a 
consolidated basis in 2020 due to the significant impacts of the pandemic on many of Veritiv's customers.

Information About Our Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the individuals who serve as executive officers of the 

Company as of March 1, 2021.

Name

Salvatore A. Abbate

Stephen J. Smith

Dean A. Adelman

Daniel B. Calderwood

Mark W. Hianik

Stephanie E. Mayerle

Tracy L. Pearson
Karen K. Renner
Michael D.  Walkenhorst

Daniel J. Watkoske

Age Position

52

57

55

40

60

43

50
59
42

52

Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Management

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Senior Vice President, Sales

Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Operations
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Senior Vice President, Developing Businesses

Senior Vice President, Print and Publishing

The following descriptions of the business experience of our executive officers include the principal positions held 

by them since February 2016.

Salvatore A. Abbate has served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the 
Company since September 2020.  Previously, Mr. Abbate served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company from January 
2020 to September 2020 and as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the Company from April 2018 to 
December 2019.  Prior to that, Mr. Abbate served as Senior Vice President, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Andersen 
Windows & Doors, Inc., a leading North American window and door manufacturer, from July 2013 to March 2018.  From 
September 2011 to June 2013, Mr. Abbate served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Andersen.  Prior to that, 
Mr. Abbate served as Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing for the performance films division of Solutia, Inc., a 

7

performance materials and specialty chemical provider now part of the Eastman Chemical Company.  Mr. Abbate began his 
career at Armstrong World Industries, where he spent 15 years in various roles across all three of Armstrong's business units, 
including sales, marketing, manufacturing and process improvement.  Mr. Abbate has significant leadership and operations 
experience in strategy, marketing, sales, distribution, customer service, logistics, manufacturing and process improvement. 

Stephen J. Smith has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 

2014.  Previously, Mr. Smith served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Greetings 
Corporation, a global greeting card company, from November 2006 to March 2014.  Previously, Mr. Smith served as Vice 
President of Investor Relations and Treasurer of American Greetings from April 2003 to November 2006.  Prior to American 
Greetings, Mr. Smith served as Vice President and Treasurer of General Cable Corporation, a global wire and cable 
manufacturer and distributor, and Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Insilco Holding Company, a 
telecommunications and electrical component products manufacturer.  During Mr. Smith's tenure as a public company chief 
financial officer, he helped lead several strategic acquisitions and was responsible for the design and execution of the capital 
structure for a management buyout.

Dean A. Adelman has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company since 

March 2019.  Previously, Mr. Adelman served as Chief Human Resources Officer for Caraustar Industries, Inc., a 
manufacturer of recycled materials, from August 2017 to March 2019.  From February 2013 to August 2016, Mr. Adelman 
served as Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President – Human Resources for Axiall Corporation, a chemical 
and building products manufacturer.  Mr. Adelman also held Human Resources leadership positions at BlueLinx Corporation, 
a North American building products distributor, Corrections Corporation of America and Arby's Restaurant Group.  Mr. 
Adelman began his career as an employment lawyer for Georgia-Pacific Corporation.  Mr. Adelman has significant human 
resources management and leadership experience in both publicly traded and private equity backed manufacturing and 
distribution businesses.

 Daniel B. Calderwood has served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Management of the Company 

since October 2020.  Previously, Mr. Calderwood served as Vice President, Marketing and Business Management of the 
Company from January 2020 to October 2020 and as Vice President, Packaging of the Company from May 2019 to January 
2020.  Prior to that, Mr. Calderwood served as Vice President, Marketing for the Sealy, Stearns & Foster and Cocoon brands 
of Tempur Sealy International, Inc., a global mattress and bedding manufacturer, from January 2015 to April 2019.  Mr. 
Calderwood started his career with Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products, where he served in product 
management, national accounts and sales roles in both the retail and commercial markets.  Mr. Calderwood has significant 
experience in product and customer marketing, category management, sourcing and sales.

Mark W. Hianik has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company 

since January 2014.  Previously, Mr. Hianik served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative 
Officer for Dex One Corporation, an advertising and marketing services company, from March 2012 to May 2013.  Prior to 
that Mr. Hianik served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Dex One (and its predecessor, 
R.H. Donnelley Corporation) from April 2008 to March 2012.  Dex One filed a pre-packaged bankruptcy petition under 
Chapter 11 in March 2013 to effect a merger consummated in April 2013.  Mr. Hianik previously served as Vice President 
and Assistant General Counsel for Tribune Company, a diversified media company, and as a corporate and securities partner 
in private practice.  Mr. Hianik has significant experience as a public company general counsel and leader of other corporate 
functions as well as significant mergers and acquisitions, securities, capital markets and corporate governance experience.

Stephanie E. Mayerle has served as Senior Vice President, Sales of the Company since October 2020.  From June 

2020 to October 2020, Ms. Mayerle served as Vice President, Sales of the Company.  Prior to joining the Company, Ms. 
Mayerle served in various roles for Andersen Windows & Doors, Inc., a leading North American window and door 
manufacturer, including Senior Director – Strategic Accounts and Inside Sales from April 2019 to June 2020, Senior Director 
– Business Management from January 2018 to April 2019, Senior Director – Customer and Sales Operations from December 
2016 to January 2018 and Director - Customer Experience from June 2014 to December 2016.  Ms. Mayerle started her 
career with Andersen as an engineer responsible for product quality and design.  Ms. Mayerle has significant experience in 
sales, marketing, project management, customer service, supply chain and manufacturing quality.

Tracy L. Pearson has served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Operations of the Company since January 

2019.  Previously, Ms. Pearson served as Senior Vice President, Packaging of the Company from October 2016 to January 
2019.  Prior to that, Ms. Pearson served as Vice President and General Manager, South Area, for the Container the Americas 
business of International Paper Company, a global packaging and paper manufacturing company, from May 2016 to October 

8

2016.  Prior to that, Ms. Pearson served as Vice President and General Manager for the Foodservice packaging business of 
International Paper from August 2011 to May 2016.  Ms. Pearson joined International Paper in 1994 and served in a variety 
of sales, supply chain, marketing, process engineering, product development, and sales and general management roles within 
International Paper's packaging and print businesses.  Ms. Pearson has significant experience in general management, sales 
and sales management, and supply chain in the packaging and paper manufacturing and distribution industries.

Karen K. Renner has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company since 

November 2020.  Previously, Ms. Renner served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of CommScope, 
Inc., a global network infrastructure provider, from August 2018 to November 2020.  From March 2017 to August 2018, Ms. 
Renner served as Chief Information Officer for the North American region of Thales Group, a global aerospace defense 
supplier.  From October 2010 to February 2016, Ms. Renner served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer of 
Novelis, Inc., a global aluminum and recycling company.  From 1992 to 2010, Ms. Renner held Chief Information Officer 
roles for various business segments of the General Electric Company.  Ms. Renner has significant information technology, 
information security and technology infrastructure experience.

Michael D. Walkenhorst has served as Senior Vice President, Developing Businesses of the Company since 

October 2020.  Previously, Mr. Walkenhorst served as Vice President, Developing Businesses of the Company from 
February 2019 to October 2020.  Prior to that, Mr. Walkenhorst served as Managing Director of All American Containers, a 
Veritiv business, from September 2017 to February 2019.  Previously, Mr. Walkenhorst served as General Manager for the 
Company’s West Central Territory from July 2014 to August 2017.  Mr. Walkenhorst began his career with xpedx, a legacy 
Veritiv company, in 2003 where he held various positions in sales and sales management.  Mr. Walkenhorst has significant 
experience in sales, supply chain, and sales and operations management.

Daniel J. Watkoske has served as Senior Vice President, Print and Publishing of the Company since October 2020.  
Previously, Mr. Watkoske served as Senior Vice President, Print of the Company from July 2014 to October 2020 and, from 
October 2016 to January 2019, also served as Senior Vice President of Veritiv Services.  Prior to that, Mr. Watkoske served 
as Executive Vice President, Sales for xpedx from January 2011 to July 2014 and was a member of the xpedx Senior Lead 
Team.  Prior to that, Mr. Watkoske served as Group Vice President for the xpedx Metro New York Group from January 2008 
to January 2011.  Previously, Mr. Watkoske served as Vice President National Accounts for xpedx.  Mr. Watkoske joined 
International Paper in 1989 as a sales trainee for Nationwide Papers, which later became part of xpedx.  Mr. Watkoske has 
significant sales, sales management and operations experience in the paper and packaging distribution industries. 

We have been advised that there are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors and 

that there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our executive officers and any other persons pursuant to which 
they were appointed, respectively, as an executive officer.

Company Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 Abernathy Road NE, Building 400, Suite 1700, Atlanta, Georgia 

30328.  Our corporate website is https://www.veritivcorp.com.  Information contained on our website is not part of this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Through the "Investor Relations" portion of this website, we make available, free of charge, 
our proxy statements, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and 
other relevant filings with the SEC and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material 
has been filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.  These filings are also accessible on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov. 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

The following is a discussion of certain important factors, some of which are beyond our control, that may cause our 

business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in future periods to differ materially from those currently 
expected or desired.  Factors not currently known to Veritiv or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially 
and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  You should carefully consider the 
following discussion, together with the other information contained in this report, in evaluating us and an investment in our 
common stock.

9

Risks Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected, and in the future may materially and adversely 

affect, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

The rapid spread of COVID-19, and the measures taken to slow its spread, have adversely affected our business and 
financial results and will likely continue to do so for an uncertain period of time in the future.  The COVID-19 pandemic has 
had and may continue to have negative impacts on our business, including volatility in demand for our products; delays or 
inability to source products; disruptions in supply chain and transportation; and volatility in the global capital and credit 
markets, which impacts interest rates and currency exchange rates.  The pandemic could also cause a material reduction in the 
values of our assets including, but not limited to, deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangibles.  Our customers, suppliers and 
vendors may suffer disruptions in their business due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing them financial distress which could 
include delaying payments to us, filing for bankruptcy protection or going out of business.  In addition, there are currently a 
large number of our employees working remotely as well as operationally critical employees working at our facilities for 
business continuity purposes as lawfully permitted.  Extended periods of remote work arrangements could introduce further 
operational risk, such as additional cybersecurity risks.  Despite our efforts to manage these impacts, due to the rapidly 
evolving situation with COVID-19, the effect on our operational and financial performance will depend on future 
developments, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict and in the future may have material adverse effects on our 
business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.  Such developments may include, but are not 
limited to, the spread and future resurgences of the virus, the severity and duration of the outbreak and the severity and 
duration of the resulting impact on the economy.  Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may experience 
impacts on our business as a result of any economic recession, downturn or volatility that has occurred or may occur in the 
future.  The COVID-19 pandemic may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described below, including 
those related to dependence on information technology and telecommunications systems, cybersecurity risks, compliance 
with financial covenants, ability to service indebtedness and stock price fluctuation.

Risks Relating to Our Industry and Business

The industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products could have a material adverse effect on our 

financial condition and results of operations.

Our Print and Publishing businesses rely heavily on the sale of paper and related products.  The industry-wide 

decrease in demand for paper and related products in key markets we serve places continued pressure on our revenues and 
profit margins and makes it more difficult to maintain or grow earnings.  This trend is expected to continue.  The failure to 
effectively differentiate us from our competitors in the face of increased use of email, increased and permanent product 
substitution, including less print advertising, more electronic billing, more e-commerce, fewer catalogs and a reduced volume 
or slowdown of mail, could have a material adverse effect on market share, sales and profitability through increased 
expenditures or decreased prices.  Our failure to grow the Packaging and Facility Solutions businesses at rates adequate to 
offset the expected decline in Print and Publishing could also have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Competition in our industry may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it 

difficult to maintain our market share and profitability.

The business-to-business distribution industry is highly competitive, with numerous regional and local competitors, 

and is a mature industry characterized by slowing revenue growth.  Our principal competitors include national distributors, 
national and regional manufacturers and independent brokers in the Packaging segment; national, regional and local 
distributors in the Facility Solutions segment; regional and local distributors in the Print segment; and regional, national and 
international paper manufacturers and other merchants and brokers in the Publishing segment.  Most of these competitors 
generally offer a wide range of products at prices comparable to those we offer.  Additionally, new competition could arise 
from non-traditional sources, group purchasing organizations, e-commerce, discount wholesalers or consolidation among 
competitors.  New competitive sources may result in increased focus on pricing and on limiting price increases, or may 
require increased discounting.  Such competition may result in margin erosion or make it difficult to attract and retain 
customers.

Increased competition within the industry, reduced demand for paper, increased and permanent product substitution 
through less print advertising, more electronic billing, more e-commerce, fewer catalogs, a reduced volume or slowdown of 

10

mail and general economic conditions has served to further increase pressure on the industry's profit margins, and continued 
margin pressure within the industry may have a material adverse impact on our operating results and profitability.

We purchase all of the products we sell to our customers from other parties, and conditions beyond our control 

can interrupt our supplies and increase our product costs.

We obtain our packaging, facility products and paper from third-party suppliers.  Our business and financial results 
are dependent on our ability to purchase products from suppliers not controlled by us that we, in turn, sell to our customers.  
We may not be able to obtain the products we need on open credit, with market or other favorable terms, or at all.  During the 
year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 30% of our purchases were made from ten suppliers.  A sustained disruption 
in our ability to source products from one or more of the largest of these vendors might have a material impact on our ability 
to fulfill customer orders resulting in lost sales and, in rare cases, damages for late or non-delivery.

For the most part, we do not have a significant number of long-term contracts with our suppliers committing them to 

provide products to us.  Suppliers may not provide the products and supplies needed in the quantities and at the prices and 
times requested.  We are also subject to delays caused by interruption in production and increases in product costs based on 
conditions outside of our control.  These conditions include raw material shortages, environmental restrictions on operations, 
work slowdowns, work interruptions, strikes or other job actions by employees of suppliers, product recalls, transportation 
interruptions, unavailability of fuel or increases in fuel costs, competitive demands and natural disasters or other catastrophic 
events.  Our inability to obtain adequate supplies of packaging, facility products and paper as a result of any of the foregoing 
factors or otherwise could mean that we could not fulfill our obligations to customers, and customers may turn to other 
distributors.

In addition, increases in product costs may reduce our margins if we are unable to pass all or a portion of these costs 

along to our customers, which we have historically had difficulty doing.  Any such inability may have a negative impact on 
our business and our profitability.

Changes in prices for raw materials, including pulp, paper and resin, could negatively impact our results of 

operations and cash flows.

Changes in prices for raw materials, such as pulp, paper and resin, could significantly impact our results of 

operations in the print market.  Although we do not produce paper products and are not directly exposed to risk associated 
with production, declines in pulp and paper prices, driven by falling secular demand, periods of industry overcapacity and 
overproduction by paper suppliers, may adversely affect our revenues and net income to the extent such factors produce 
lower paper prices.  Declining pulp and paper prices generally produce lower revenues and profits, even when volume and 
trading margin percentages remain constant.  During periods of declining pulp and paper prices, customers may alter 
purchasing patterns and defer paper purchases or deplete inventory levels until long-term price stability occurs.  
Alternatively, if prices for raw materials rise and we are unable to pass these increases on to our customers, our results of 
operations and profits may also be negatively impacted.

Changes in U.S. and international trade policies and regulations could adversely affect our business and 

operating results.

Although we primarily serve markets in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, we purchase our products from a wide variety 

of domestic and international suppliers.  Changes to U.S. trade policies, including the adoption or expansion of trade 
restrictions, sanctions and other related governmental actions or policies, can disrupt geographic and industry demand trends 
and prompt other countries to change their own trade policies, including through the adoption of retaliatory tariffs or 
expansion of other trade restrictions.  These changes may cause us to make changes in our supply chain strategies or 
adversely impact our own costs.  Increasing the costs of our products as a result of tariffs or other adverse trade restrictions, 
or minimizing the number of our products subject to tariffs or other adverse trade restrictions, could cause customers to turn 
to other distributors and we may be unable to locate alternative suppliers at acceptable costs.  Such actions may result in 
margin erosion or make it difficult to attract and retain customers.  

Increases in the cost of fuel and third-party freight as well as the availability of third-party freight providers could 

have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Volatile fuel prices have a direct impact on our business.  We also depend upon third-party freight providers in order 

11

to conduct our business.  The cost of fuel and third-party freight affects the price paid by us for products as well as the 
expense incurred to deliver products to our customers.  Increased fuel costs, increased government regulation and limitations 
on driver availability impacting the freight transportation industry may adversely impact the cost and availability of third-
party freight services.  Although we have been able to pass along a portion of increased fuel and third-party freight costs to 
our customers in the past, there is no guarantee that we can continue to do so.  Increases in fuel and third-party freight costs 
or the unavailability of third-party freight providers may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The loss of any of our significant customers could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and 

cash flows.

Our ten largest customers generated approximately 10% of our consolidated net sales for the year ended December 

31, 2020, and our largest customer accounted for approximately 4% of our consolidated net sales in that same period.  We 
cannot guarantee that we will maintain or improve our relationships with these customers or that we will continue to supply 
these customers at historic levels.

Generally, our customers are not contractually required to purchase any minimum amount of products.  In addition, 
consolidation among customers could also result in changes to their purchasing habits and volumes.  The loss of one or more 
of these significant customers, a significant customer's decision to purchase our products in substantially lower quantities 
than they have in the past, or a deterioration in the relationship with any significant customers could adversely affect our 
financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

We may not fully realize the expected benefits of our current and future restructuring plans or other operating or 

cost-saving initiatives, which may adversely affect our business, competitive position, financial condition, results of 
operations and cash flows.

We have initiated a restructuring plan in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business 
operations and the ongoing secular changes in our Print and Publishing segments (the "2020 Restructuring Plan").  The 2020 
Restructuring Plan is designed to better align our cost structure with ongoing business needs as we execute on our stated 
corporate strategy.  We may undertake additional restructuring plans in the future, including in connection with our ongoing 
evaluation of alternatives to restructure our integrated supply chain.  Implementation of the 2020 Restructuring Plan or any 
subsequent restructuring plan may be disruptive to our business or more costly than anticipated, and we may not be able to 
obtain the estimated cost savings and other benefits that were initially anticipated in a timely manner, or at all.  Additionally, 
as a result of any restructuring plan, we may experience a loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge and/or 
inefficiency during transitional periods.  Reorganization and restructuring can require a significant amount of management 
and other employees’ time and focus, which may divert attention from operating and growing our business.  In addition, any 
restructuring plan may have other consequences, such as attrition beyond our planned reduction in workforce, a negative 
effect on employee morale and productivity or our ability to attract highly skilled employees.  Moreover, our competitors 
may also use our restructuring plans to seek to gain a competitive advantage over us.  Failure to achieve some or all of the 
expected benefits of our restructuring plans could have a material adverse effect on our business, competitive position, 
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  Furthermore, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our 
business continues to evolve, we may need to further adjust or expand our 2020 Restructuring Plan, which could increase the 
risks described above.

Adverse developments in general business and economic conditions, including the industry-wide decline in 

demand for paper and related products, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of 
operations impairing our ability to use Net Operating Loss ("NOL") carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. 

The realization of our NOLs and other deferred tax assets depends on the timing and amount of taxable income 

earned by our Company in the future and a lack of future taxable income would adversely affect our ability to realize these 
tax assets.  Tax attributes are generally subject to expiration at various times in the future to the extent that they have not 
previously been applied to offset the taxable income of our Company, and there is a risk that our existing NOL carryforwards 
could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities.

The Merger resulted in an ownership change for Unisource under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (the 
"Code"), limiting the use of Unisource's NOLs to offset future taxable income for both U.S. federal and state income tax 
purposes.  Moreover, future trading of our stock may result in additional ownership changes as defined under Section 382 of 
the Code, further limiting the use of Unisource's NOLs.  These limitations may affect the availability and the timing of when 

12

these NOLs may be used which could impair our deferred tax assets which, in turn, may adversely impact the timing and 
amount of cash taxes payable by our Company.

Significant judgment is required in evaluating the need for and magnitude of appropriate valuation allowances 
against deferred tax assets.  The realization of these assets is dependent on generating future taxable income, as well as 
successful implementation of various tax planning strategies.  Although we believe that the judgments and estimates with 
respect to the valuation allowances are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ from 
projected results, which could give rise to additions to valuation allowances or reductions in valuation allowances.  It is 
possible that such changes could have a material adverse effect on the amount of income tax expense (benefit) recorded in 
our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We may not be able to adequately protect our material intellectual property and other proprietary rights, or to 

defend successfully against intellectual property infringement claims by third parties.

Our ability to compete effectively depends in part upon our intellectual property rights, including but not limited to 

trademarks, copyrights and proprietary technology.  The use of contractual provisions, confidentiality procedures and 
agreements, and trademark, copyright, unfair competition, trade secret and other laws to protect intellectual property rights 
and proprietary technology may not be adequate.  Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights and 
protect proprietary technology, or to defend against claims by third parties that our conduct or our use of intellectual property 
infringes upon such third party's intellectual property rights.  Any intellectual property litigation or claims brought against us, 
whether or not meritorious, could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, and there can be no assurances 
that favorable final outcomes will be obtained.  The terms of any settlement or judgment may require us to pay substantial 
amounts to the other party or cease exercising our rights in such intellectual property, including ceasing the use of certain 
trademarks used by us to distinguish our services from those of others or ceasing the exercise of our rights in copyrightable 
works.  In addition, we may be required to seek a license to continue practices found to be in violation of a third party's 
rights, which may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all.  Our business, financial condition or results of operations 
could be adversely affected as a result.

Risks Relating to Human Capital

In order to compete, we must attract, train and retain highly qualified employees, and the failure to do so could 

have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

To successfully compete, we must attract, train and retain a large number of highly qualified employees while 

controlling related labor costs.  Specifically, we must recruit and retain qualified sales professionals.  If we were to lose a 
significant amount of our sales professionals, we could lose a material amount of sales, which would have a material adverse 
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Many of our sales professionals are subject to confidentiality and 
non-competition agreements.  If our sales professionals were to violate these agreements, we could seek to legally enforce 
these agreements, but we may incur substantial costs in connection with such enforcement and may not be successful in such 
enforcement.  We compete with other businesses for employees and invest significant resources in training and motivating 
them.  There is no assurance that we will be able to attract or retain highly qualified employees.  The inability to retain or hire 
qualified personnel at economically reasonable compensation levels would restrict our ability to improve our business and 
result in lower operating results and profitability.

Our pension and health care costs are subject to numerous factors which could cause these costs to change.

Our pension and health care costs are dependent upon numerous factors resulting from actual plan experience and 
assumptions of future experience, including, for pension costs, actuarial assumptions regarding life expectancies.  Pension 
plan assets are primarily made up of equity and fixed income investments.  Fluctuations in actual equity market returns, 
changes in general interest rates and changes in the number of retirees may result in increased pension costs in future periods.  
Significant changes in any of these factors may adversely impact our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.

We participate in multi-employer pension plans and multi-employer health and welfare plans, which could create 

additional obligations and payment liabilities.

We contribute to multi-employer defined benefit pension plans as well as multi-employer health and welfare plans 
under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover certain unionized employee groups in the U.S.  The risks of 

13

participating in multi-employer pension plans differ from single employer-sponsored plans and such plans are subject to 
regulation under the Pension Protection Act (the "PPA").  Additionally, changes in regulations covering these plans could 
increase our costs and/or potential withdrawal liability.

Multi-employer pension plans are cost-sharing plans subject to collective-bargaining agreements.  Contributions to a 
multi-employer plan by one employer are not specifically earmarked for its employees and may be used to provide benefits to 
employees of other participating employers.  If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded 
obligations of the plan are borne by the remaining participating employers.  In addition, if a multi-employer plan is 
determined to be underfunded based on the criteria established by the PPA, the plan may be required to implement a financial 
improvement plan or rehabilitation plan that may require additional contributions or surcharges by participating employers.

In addition to the contributions discussed above, we could be obligated to pay additional amounts, known as 

withdrawal liabilities, upon decrease or cessation of participation in a multi-employer pension plan.  Although an employer 
may obtain an estimate of such liability, the final calculation of the withdrawal liability may not be able to be determined for 
an extended period of time.  Generally, the cash obligation of such withdrawal liability is payable over a 20-year period.

Our business may be adversely affected by work stoppages, union negotiations and labor disputes.

Approximately 9% of our employees were in collective bargaining units as of December 31, 2020.  Historically, the 
effects of collective bargaining and other similar labor agreements have not been significant.  However, if a larger number of 
our employees were to unionize, including in the wake of any future legislation or administrative regulation that makes it 
easier for employees to unionize, the effect may be negative.

Approximately 63% of the Company's unionized employees have collective bargaining agreements that expire 

during 2021.  Any inability to negotiate acceptable new contracts under these collective bargaining arrangements could cause 
strikes or other work stoppages, and new contracts could result in increased operating costs.  If any such strikes or other work 
stoppages occur, or if additional employees become represented by a union, a disruption of our operations and higher labor 
costs could result.  Labor relations matters affecting our suppliers of products and services could also adversely affect our 
business from time to time.

Risks Relating to Our Capital Structure

Our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and impair our ability to operate our 

business.

As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $603.8 million in total indebtedness, reflecting borrowings of 

$520.2 million under the Asset-Based Lending Facility (the "ABL Facility"), $1.3 million under short-term debt and $82.3 
million of finance leases.  This level of indebtedness could have important consequences to our financial condition, operating 
results and business, including the following:

•

•
•

limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt 
service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes;
increasing our cost of borrowing;
requiring that a significant portion of our cash flows from operations be dedicated to payments on our indebtedness 
instead of other purposes, including operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;

• making it more difficult for us to make payments on our indebtedness or satisfy other obligations;
•

exposing us to risk of increased interest rates on our borrowings due to the variable rate exposure associated with the 
ABL Facility, which can be worsened by (i) increased interest rates up to the level covered by our interest rate cap 
and (ii) increased interest rates on borrowings in excess of the notional amount of our interest rate cap;
limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared 
to our competitors that have less debt; and
increasing our vulnerability to a downturn in general economic conditions or in our business, and making us unable 
to carry out capital spending that is important to our growth.

•

•

14

 
Despite our significant indebtedness, we may still be able to incur substantially more indebtedness in the future.  

This could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, including secured indebtedness.  Although 
the agreements governing the ABL Facility contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions 
are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these 
restrictions could be substantial.  If new indebtedness is added to our current indebtedness levels, the related risks we will 
face could intensify.

The agreements governing our indebtedness contain restrictive covenants, which could restrict our operational 

flexibility, and a failure to comply with those covenants could have serious consequences.

The agreements governing the ABL Facility contain restrictions and limitations on our ability to engage in activities 

that may be in our long-term best interests, including financial and other restrictive covenants that could limit our ability to:

incur additional indebtedness or guaranties, or issue certain preferred shares;
pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions;
repurchase, prepay or redeem subordinated indebtedness;

create liens;

•
•
•
• make investments or acquisitions;
•
• make negative pledges;
•
•
•
•

consolidate or merge with another company;
sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;
enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and
change the nature of our business.

The agreements governing the ABL Facility also contain other restrictions customary for asset-based facilities of 

this nature.  Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the ABL Facility will depend upon satisfaction of these 
covenants.  Events beyond our control could affect our ability to meet these covenants.  Our failure to comply with 
obligations under the agreements governing the ABL Facility may result in an event of default under those agreements.  A 
default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of our indebtedness.  If our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot be 
certain that we will have sufficient funds available to pay the accelerated indebtedness or that we will have the ability to 
refinance the accelerated indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all.  This could have serious consequences to our 
business, financial condition and operating results and could cause us to become bankrupt or insolvent.

Our stock price may fluctuate significantly.

The market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate widely, depending on many factors, some of which 

may be beyond our control, including:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in the operating results of our Company due to factors related to our business;
success or failure of the strategy of our Company;
the quarterly or annual earnings of our Company, or those of other companies in our industry;
continued industry-wide decrease in demand for paper and related products;
our ability to obtain third-party financing as needed;
announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;
restrictions on our ability to pay dividends under our ABL Facility;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
investor perception of our Company;
natural or environmental disasters that investors believe may affect our Company;
overall market fluctuations;
a large sale of our stock by a significant shareholder;
results from any material litigation or government investigation;
changes in laws and regulations affecting our Company or any of the principal products sold by our Company; and
general economic and political conditions and other external factors.

15

 
  
Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a 

particular company.  These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. 

If securities or industry analysts do not continue to publish research, or publish unfavorable research, about our 

Company, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry 

analysts publish about us and our business.  As of December 31, 2020, we had very limited research coverage by analysts.  If 
the current coverage of our Company by securities or industry analysts ceases, the trading price for our stock would be 
negatively impacted.  In addition, if one or more of these analysts downgrades our stock or publishes misleading or 
unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline.  If one or more of these analysts ceases 
coverage of our Company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause 
our stock price or trading volume to decline.

A significant percentage of our outstanding common stock is held by our three largest shareholders, and certain 
of those shareholders exercise significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval.  So long as a significant 
percentage of our common stock continues to be held by a small number of shareholders, the liquidity of our common 
stock may be impacted, and future sales by those shareholders may result in a reduction in the market price of our 
common stock.  

Our three largest shareholders collectively owned approximately 43% of our outstanding common stock as of 

December 31, 2020.  As a result, certain of these shareholders may exercise significant influence over all matters requiring 
shareholder approval, including approval of significant corporate transactions, which may reduce the market price of our 
common stock.  Additionally, the interests of these shareholders may conflict with the interests of our other shareholders.

This concentrated ownership could also result in a limited amount of shares being available to be traded in the 

market, resulting in reduced liquidity.  Further, all of the shares of our common stock owned by UWW Holdings, LLC (the 
"UWWH Stockholder") are registered for resale under the Securities Act of 1933 and, subject to certain limitations, all or a 
portion of such shares may be offered and sold to the public in the future.  When some or all of the shares held by the 
UWWH Stockholder are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, the market price of our common stock could decline. 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter and amended and restated by-laws (our "by-laws") could discourage, 

delay or prevent a change of control of our Company and may affect the trading price of our common stock.

Our charter and by-laws include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our 

management or control over us that shareholders may consider favorable.  For example, our charter and by-laws collectively:

•

•
•

•

•

•

•

authorize the issuance of "blank check" preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a 
takeover attempt;
limit the ability of shareholders to remove directors;
provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an enlargement of our board of 
directors, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;
prohibit shareholders from calling special meetings of shareholders unless called by the holders of not less than 20% 
of our outstanding shares of common stock;
prohibit shareholder action by written consent, unless initiated by the holders of not less than 20% of the outstanding 
shares of common stock;
establish advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other 
business before an annual meeting of our shareholders; and
require the approval of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock to amend our 
by-laws and certain provisions of our charter.

These provisions may prevent our shareholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of 

our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context.  Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of 
these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if the provisions are viewed as 
discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

16

 
 
Our charter and by-laws may also make it difficult for shareholders to replace or remove our management.  These 
provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our 
control, which may not be in the best interests of our shareholders.

Our charter designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain 

litigation that may be initiated by our shareholders, which could limit our shareholders' ability to obtain a favorable 
judicial forum for disputes with us.

Our charter provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any 
derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to 
us or our shareholders by any of our directors, officers or employees, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any 
director, officer, employee or agent arising under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our charter or by-laws or (iv) any 
action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.  The choice of forum provision in our 
charter may limit our shareholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.

We have not historically declared or paid dividends on our common stock and, consequently, your ability to 

achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We have not historically declared or paid dividends on our common stock.  We currently intend to invest our future 

earnings, if any, to fund our growth, to develop our business, for working capital needs, to reduce debt and for general 
corporate purposes.  Therefore, the success of an investment in shares of our common stock will depend upon any future 
appreciation in their value.  There is no guarantee that shares of our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain 
their current value.  

Any decision to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of Veritiv's Board of Directors and will depend 

upon various factors then existing, including earnings, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, level of 
indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that Veritiv's Board of 
Directors may deem relevant.  In addition, our operations are conducted almost entirely through our subsidiaries.  As such, to 
the extent that we determine in the future to pay dividends on our common stock, none of our subsidiaries will be obligated to 
make funds available to us for the payment of dividends.  Further, the agreements governing our ABL Facility can, and 
agreements governing future indebtedness may, in certain circumstances, restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay 
dividends or otherwise transfer assets to us. 

Risks Relating to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Matters

Costs to comply with environmental, health and safety laws, and to satisfy any liability or obligation imposed 

under such laws, could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations are subject to U.S. and international environmental, health and safety laws, including laws regulating 

the emission or discharge of materials into the environment, the use, storage, treatment, disposal and management of 
hazardous substances and waste, the investigation and remediation of contamination and the health and safety of our 
employees and the public.  We could incur substantial fines or sanctions, enforcement actions (including orders limiting our 
operations or requiring corrective measures), investigation, remediation and closure costs and third-party claims for property 
damage and personal injury as a result of violations of, or liabilities or obligations under, environmental, health and safety 
laws.  We could be held liable for the costs to address contamination at any real property we have ever owned, operated or 
used as a disposal site.

In addition, changes in, or new interpretations of, existing laws, the discovery of previously unknown contamination, 

or the imposition of other environmental liabilities or obligations in the future, may lead to additional compliance or other 
costs that could impact our business and results of operations.  Moreover, as environmental issues, such as climate change, 
have become more prevalent, U.S. and foreign governments have responded, and may continue to respond, with increased 
legislation and regulation, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

17

Expenditures related to the cost of compliance with laws, rules and regulations could adversely impact our 

business and results of operations.

Our operations are subject to U.S. and international laws and regulations, including regulations of the U.S. 

Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the import and export of goods, customs 
regulations, Office of Foreign Asset Control and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.  Expenditures related to the cost 
of compliance with laws, rules and regulations, tariffs and duties could adversely impact our business and results of 
operations.  In addition, we could incur substantial fines or sanctions, enforcement actions (including orders limiting our 
operations or requiring corrective measures) and third-party claims for property damage and personal injury as a result of 
violations of, or liabilities under, laws, regulations, codes and common law. 

Changes in U.S. federal and state or foreign tax law, tax assessments and unclaimed property audits by 

governmental authorities could adversely impact our operating results.

We remit a variety of taxes and fees to various U.S. federal and state and foreign governmental authorities, including 

income taxes, excise taxes, property taxes, sales and use taxes and payroll taxes.  From time to time, governments make 
substantive changes to tax rules and their application, which could result in materially higher corporate taxes than would be 
incurred under existing tax law.  In addition, tax laws and regulations are extremely complex and subject to varying 
interpretations.  The taxes and fees remitted by us are subject to review and audit by the applicable governmental authorities 
which could result in liability for additional assessments.  Furthermore, we are subject to U.S. state unclaimed property 
(escheat) laws and audits which require us to turn over to certain government authorities the property of others held by us that 
has been unclaimed for a specified period of time.  Although management believes that the positions we have taken are 
reasonable, various taxing authorities may challenge certain of the positions we have taken, which may also potentially result 
in additional liabilities for taxes, unclaimed property, interest and penalties in excess of accrued liabilities.  Changes in tax 
laws or an unfavorable resolution of assessments by a governmental authority could have a material adverse effect on our 
operating results in future periods.

Results of legal proceedings relating to the products and distribution thereof, and regulatory inquiries or 

investigations by government authorities, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We rely on manufacturers and other suppliers to provide us with the products and equipment we sell, distribute and 

service.  As we do not have direct control over the quality of the products manufactured or supplied by such third-party 
suppliers, we are exposed to risks relating to the quality of the products and equipment we sell, distribute and service.  It is 
possible that inventory from a manufacturer or supplier could be sold to our customers and later be alleged to have quality 
problems or to have caused personal injury, subjecting us to potential claims from customers or third parties.  Our ability to 
hold such manufacturer or supplier liable will depend on a variety of factors, including its financial viability.  Moreover, 
increasing the number of private label products that we distribute could increase our exposure to potential liability for product 
liability claims.  Finally, even if we are successful in defending any claim relating to the products or equipment we distribute, 
claims of this nature could negatively impact our reputation and customer confidence in our products, equipment and 
company.  We have been subject to such claims in the past, which have been resolved without material financial impact.  We 
also operate a significant number of facilities and a large fleet of trucks and other vehicles and therefore face the risk of 
premises-related liabilities and vehicle-related liabilities including traffic accidents.

From time to time, we may also be involved in government inquiries and investigations, as well as class action, 

employment and other litigation.  We cannot predict with certainty the outcomes of these legal proceedings and other 
contingencies, including environmental remediation and other proceedings commenced by government authorities.  The costs 
and other effects of pending litigation against us cannot be determined with certainty.  There can be no assurance that the 
outcome of any lawsuit or claim or its effect on our business or financial condition will be as expected.  The defense of these 
lawsuits and claims may divert our management's attention, and significant expenses may be incurred as a result.  In addition, 
we may be required to pay damage awards or settlements, or become subject to injunctions or other equitable remedies, that 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Although we currently maintain insurance coverage to address some of these types of liabilities, we cannot make 

assurances that we will be able to obtain such insurance on acceptable terms in the future, if at all, or that any such insurance 
will provide adequate coverage against potential claims.  In addition, we may choose not to seek to obtain such insurance in 
the future.  Moreover, indemnification rights that we have may be insufficient or unavailable to protect us against potential 

18

loss exposures.

General Risk Factors

Adverse developments in general business and economic conditions as well as conditions in the global capital and 

credit markets could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products, the business, and the financial 
condition and results of operations of our Company and our customers.

The persistently slow rate of increase in the U.S. gross domestic product ("GDP") in recent years has adversely 

affected our results of operations.  If GDP continues to increase at a slow rate or if economic growth declines, demand for the 
products we sell will be adversely affected.  In addition, volatility in the global capital and credit markets, which impacts 
interest rates, currency exchange rates and the availability of credit, could have a material adverse effect on the business, 
financial condition and results of operations of our Company and our customers.  Financial difficulties of customers, whether 
as a result of a downturn in general economic or industry conditions or otherwise, may result in failures of customers to 
timely pay amounts due or adversely affect the collectability of our accounts receivable, which could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  We also have exposure to counterparties with which we 
routinely execute transactions.  A bankruptcy or liquidity event by one or more of our customers or counterparties, such as 
financial institutions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Changes in business conditions in our international operations could adversely affect our business and results of 

operations.

Our operating results and business prospects could be substantially affected by risks related to Canada, Mexico and 

other non-U.S. countries where we sell and distribute or purchase our products.  Some of our operations are in or near 
locations that have suffered from political, social and economic issues; civil unrest; and a high level of criminal activity.  In 
those locations where we have employees or operations, we may incur substantial costs to maintain the safety of our 
personnel and the security of our operations.  Downturns in economic activity, adverse tax consequences or any change in 
social, political or labor conditions in any of the countries in which we operate could negatively affect our financial results.  
In addition, our international operations are subject to regulation under U.S. law (including, among others, the Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) and other laws related to operations in foreign jurisdictions.  Failure to comply with domestic 
or foreign laws could result in various adverse consequences, including the imposition of civil or criminal sanctions and the 
prosecution of executives.

Inclement weather, widespread outbreak of an illness, anti-terrorism measures and other disruptions could 
negatively affect various aspects of our business including our supply chain, distribution system and operations, and could 
result in reduced demand from our customers.

Our ability to provide efficient distribution of products to our customers is an integral component of our overall 

business strategy.  Disruptions at distribution centers or shipping ports or the closure of roads or imposition of other driving 
bans due to natural events such as flooding, tornadoes and blizzards may affect our ability to both maintain key products in 
inventory and deliver products to our customers on a timely basis, which may in turn adversely affect our results of 
operations.

Additionally, widespread outbreaks of an illness such as a pandemic and actions taken to contain or prevent further 

spread of such diseases could substantially interfere with general commercial activity related to our supply chain and 
customer base, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  If our 
operations are curtailed, we may need to seek alternate sources of supply which may be more expensive, unavailable or may 
result in delays in shipments to us from our supply chain and subsequently to our customers.  Further, if our customers’ 
businesses are similarly affected, they might delay or reduce purchases from us, which could adversely affect our results of 
operations.

Furthermore, in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in the U.S., federal, state and local authorities have implemented 

and continue to implement various security measures that affect many parts of the transportation network in the U.S. and 
abroad.  Our customers typically require delivery of products in short time frames and rely on our on-time delivery 
capabilities.  If security measures disrupt or impede the timing of our deliveries, we may fail to meet the needs of our 

19

customers, or may incur increased expenses to do so.  Any of these disruptions to our operations may reduce our sales and 
have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are dependent on a variety of information technology ("IT") and telecommunications systems and the 

Internet, and any failure of these systems could adversely impact our business and operating results.

We depend on IT and telecommunications systems and the Internet for our operations.  These systems support a 
variety of functions including inventory management, order placement and processing with vendors and from customers, 
shipping, shipment tracking and billing.  Our information systems are vulnerable to natural disasters, wide-area 
telecommunications or power utility outages, terrorist or cyber-attacks and other major disruptions, and our redundant 
information systems may not operate effectively.

Failures or significant downtime of our IT or telecommunications systems for any reason could prevent us from 

taking customer orders, printing product pick-lists, shipping products, billing customers and handling call volume.  Sales also 
may be adversely impacted if our reseller and retail customers are unable to access pricing and product availability 
information.  We also rely on the Internet, electronic data interchange and other electronic integrations for a large portion of 
our orders and information exchanges with our suppliers and customers.  The Internet and individual websites have 
experienced a number of disruptions and slowdowns, some of which were caused by organized attacks.  In addition, some 
websites have experienced security breakdowns.  If we were to experience a security breakdown, disruption or breach that 
compromised sensitive information, it could harm our relationships with our suppliers and customers.  Disruption of our 
website or the Internet in general could impair our order processing or more generally prevent our suppliers and resellers 
from accessing information.  Failures of our systems could also lead to delivery delays and may expose us to litigation and 
penalties under some of our contracts.  Any significant increase in our IT and telecommunications costs or temporary or 
permanent loss of our IT or telecommunications systems could harm our relationships with our customers and suppliers and 
result in lost sales, business delays and bad publicity.  The occurrence of any of these events, as well as the costs we may 
incur in preventing or responding to such events, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and 
results of operations.

We are subject to cybersecurity risks related to breaches of security pertaining to sensitive company, customer, 

employee and vendor information as well as breaches in the technology that manages operations and other business 
processes. 

Our operations rely upon secure IT systems for data capture, processing, storage and reporting.  Our IT systems, and 

those of our third-party providers, could become subject to cyber-attacks.  The evolving nature of threats to data security, in 
light of new and sophisticated methods used by criminals and cyberterrorists, state-sponsored organizations and nation-states, 
including computer viruses, malware, phishing, misrepresentation, social engineering and forgery, make it increasingly 
challenging to anticipate and adequately mitigate these risks.  Network, system, application and data breaches could result in 
operational disruptions or information misappropriation including, but not limited to, interruption of systems availability, or 
denial of access to and misuse of applications required by our customers to conduct business with us.  Access to internal 
applications required to plan our operations, source materials, ship finished goods and account for orders could be denied or 
misused.  Theft of intellectual property or trade secrets, and inappropriate disclosure of confidential information, could stem 
from such incidents.  Any operational disruptions or misappropriation of information could harm our relationship with our 
customers and suppliers, result in lost sales, business delays and negative publicity and could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

As of December 31, 2020, we had a distribution network operating from 125 distribution centers.

Properties

Square feet (in millions)

Leased

Owned

Total

117 

16.2 

8 

0.9 

125 

17.1 

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
These facilities are strategically located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico in order to efficiently serve our 

customer base in the surrounding areas while also facilitating expedited delivery services for special orders.  We continually 
evaluate location, size and attributes to maximize efficiency, deliver top quality customer service and achieve economies of 
scale.  The Company also leases various office spaces for corporate and sales functions.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company is involved in various lawsuits, claims, and regulatory and administrative 

proceedings arising out of its business relating to general commercial and contractual matters, governmental regulations, 
intellectual property rights, labor and employment matters, tax and other actions.

Although the ultimate outcome of any legal proceeding or investigation cannot be predicted with certainty, based on 
present information, including the Company's assessment of the merits of the particular claim, the Company does not expect 
that any asserted or unasserted legal claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse 
effect on its cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

21

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER 
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Veritiv's common stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol 

"VRTV".  As of February 26, 2021, there were 4,878 shareholders of record.  The number of record holders does not include 
shareholders who are beneficial owners, but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. 

On March 16, 2020, Veritiv announced that its Board of Directors authorized a $25 million share repurchase 
program (the "2020 Share Repurchase Program").  During the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased 383,972 shares 
of its common stock at a cost of $3.5 million under its 2020 Share Repurchase Program, which has been suspended since 
March 27, 2020.

On March 3, 2021, Veritiv announced that its Board of Directors authorized a $50 million share repurchase program.  

Under this program the Company may purchase shares of its common stock through open market transactions, privately 
negotiated transactions, forward, derivative, or accelerated repurchase transactions, tender offers or otherwise, in accordance 
with all applicable securities laws and regulations.  This authorization for the share repurchase program replaces the $25 
million share repurchase authorization previously approved by the Board of Directors in March 2020 and may be suspended, 
terminated, increased or decreased by the Board at any time.

On November 19, 2020, the UWWH Stockholder, one of Veritiv's existing stockholders and the former parent 
company of Unisource Worldwide, Inc., sold 1.40 million shares of Veritiv common stock in an underwritten public offering.  
The Company did not sell or repurchase any shares and did not receive any of the proceeds.

The following table presents information with respect to purchases made by the Company of its common stock 

during the three months ended December 31, 2020 (shares are in whole units):

Period

October 1-31

November 1-30

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased (1)
30 

— 

Average Price Paid 
Per Share

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased as 
Part of the Publicly 
Announced Program (2)

Approximate Dollar 
Value of Shares that 
May Yet be 
Purchased Under the 
Publicly Announced 
Program

$13.01  

$0.00  

—  $ 

—  $ 

21,478,003 

21,478,003 

21,478,003 
December 1-31
(1) The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased pursuant to the 2020 Share Repurchase Program (if any) and (ii) shares surrendered to
    the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of stock units issued as part of the Company's equity-based incentive
    plans.
(2) This column discloses the number of shares purchased pursuant to the 2020 Share Repurchase Program during the indicated periods.

$0.00  

—  $ 

— 

Veritiv has not historically declared or paid dividends on its common stock.  The Company currently intends to 

invest its future earnings, if any, to fund its growth, to develop its business, for working capital needs, to reduce debt and for 
general corporate purposes.  Any payment of dividends will be at the discretion of Veritiv's Board of Directors and will 
depend upon various factors then existing, including earnings, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, 
level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, restrictions imposed by applicable law, 
general business conditions and other factors that Veritiv's Board of Directors may deem relevant. 

Performance Graph

The following graph provides a comparison of the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common 
stock to the cumulative total returns of the Russell 2000 Index and the average performance of two customized peer groups 
for the period from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2020.  The graph is not, and is not intended to be, indicative of 
future performance of our common stock.  The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's common 

22

 
 
 
stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the peer groups was $100 on December 31, 2015.  Total return indices reflect reinvestment 
of dividends and are weighted on the basis of market capitalization at the time of each reported data point.  The peer group is 
reviewed periodically based on industry, size and market dynamics.  Because the Company changed the composition of the 
peer group for 2020, as noted in the tables below, the peer group used for the corresponding disclosures in 2019 is shown for 
comparison.

Companies included in the 2020 peer group are as follows:

• Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

• Graphic Packaging Holding Company

• Avery Dennison Corporation

• International Paper Company

• Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.

• Kaman Corporation

• Brady Corporation

• Deluxe Corporation

• Domtar Corporation

• Ennis, Inc.

• Fastenal Company

• MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

• Neenah Inc.

• Office Depot, Inc.

• P.H. Glatfelter Company

• Watsco, Inc.

• Packaging Corporation of America

• Resolute Forest Products, Inc.
• Sealed Air Corporation

• Sonoco Products Company

• Univar Solutions, Inc.
• Verso Corporation
• W.W. Grainger, Inc.

• Genuine Parts Company

• R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

Companies included in the 2019 peer group are as follows:

• Anixter International, Inc.

• Genuine Parts Company

• R.R. Donnelley & Sons 

Company

• Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

• Graphic Packaging Holding Company

• Resolute Forest Products, Inc.

• Arrow Electronics, Inc.

• InnerWorkings, Inc.

• ScanSource, Inc.

• Avery Dennison Corporation

• International Paper Company

• Sealed Air Corporation

• Avnet, Inc.

• Brady Corporation

• Deluxe Corporation

• Domtar Corporation

• Ennis, Inc.

• Fastenal Company

• Kaman Corporation

• Sonoco Products Company

• MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

• W.W. Grainger, Inc.

• Neenah Inc.

• Office Depot, Inc.

• P.H. Glatfelter Company

• Packaging Corporation of America

• WESCO International, Inc.

• WestRock Company

23

Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
Among Veritiv Corporation, the Russell 2000 Index, New Peer Group and Old Peer Group

Veritiv Corporation

Russell 2000 Index

New Peer Group

Old Peer Group

$200

$180

$160

$140

$120

$100

$80

$60

$40

$20

$0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

24

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents the selected historical consolidated financial data for Veritiv and should be read in 
conjunction with Item 7 of this report and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in 
Item 8 of this report.  The Consolidated Statements of Operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 
2018 and the Consolidated Balance Sheets data as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 set forth below are derived from the 
audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.  The Consolidated Statements of Operations data 
for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the Consolidated Balance Sheets data as of December 31, 2018,  2017
and 2016 set forth below are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for 2018 and 2017, which are not 
included in this report.  The selected historical consolidated financial information presented below may not be indicative of 
Veritiv's future performance.

(in millions, except per share data)

As of and for the Year Ended December 31,

Statements of Operations Data

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Net sales

Cost of products sold

Distribution expenses
Selling and administrative expenses (1)

Depreciation and amortization

Integration and acquisition expenses

Restructuring charges, net
Operating income (loss) (1)

Income tax expense (benefit)

Net income (loss)

Earnings (loss) per share(2):

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Balance Sheets Data (at period end)
Accounts receivable, net (3)

Inventories
Total assets (4,5)
Long-term debt, net of current portion (5)
Financing obligations, net of current portion 
(4,5)

Defined benefit pension obligations
Other non-current liabilities (5)

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

6,345.6  $ 

7,659.4  $ 

8,696.2  $ 

8,364.7  $ 

5,040.2 

6,206.2 

7,155.7 

6,846.6 

429.8 

717.9 

57.7 

— 

52.2 

47.8 

8.8 

34.2 

509.2 

823.3 

53.5 

17.5 

28.8 

20.9 

0.7 

550.5 

867.6 

53.5 

31.8 

21.3 

15.8 

5.5 

516.9 

875.7 

54.2 

36.5 

16.7 

18.1 

11.4 

(29.5) 

(15.7) 

(13.3) 

2.14  $ 

2.08  $ 

(1.84)  $ 

(1.84)  $ 

(0.99)  $ 

(0.99)  $ 

(0.85)  $ 

(0.85)  $ 

8,326.6 

6,826.4 

505.1 

827.9 

54.7 

25.9 

12.4 

74.2 

19.8 

21.0 

1.31 

1.30 

849.5  $ 

910.8  $ 

1,181.4  $ 

1,174.3  $ 

1,048.3 

465.4 

2,335.0 

589.1 

— 

18.2 

395.2 

552.9 

2,511.1 

742.4 

— 

15.7 

485.3 

688.2 

2,529.7 

963.6 

23.6 

21.1 

128.6 

722.7 

2,708.4 

908.3 

181.6 

24.4 

137.0 

707.9 

2,483.7 

749.2 

176.1 

27.6 

121.2 

(1) Amounts shown prior to 2018 have been revised to reflect the impact of the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07 on
    January 1, 2018.
(2) See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the shares of common stock utilized in the computation of basic
    and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
(3) See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020, 
which included a cumulative effect decrease to retained earnings of approximately $0.3 million. The amounts prior to 2020 have not been revised.

(4)  See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the impacts to property and equipment and financing obligations
     due to the termination or expiration of the related party financing obligations, the majority of which occurred in 2018. 
(5) See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019,
    which included a cumulative effect increase to retained earnings of approximately $2.7 million.  Amounts shown prior to 2019 have not been revised and
     are not comparable to the amounts in 2020 and 2019.

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the Company's results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction 

with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. 

Executive Overview 

The COVID-19 Pandemic

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), which was declared a pandemic by the World Health 
Organization on March 11, 2020, has led to adverse impacts on the United States ("U.S.") and global economies and created 
significant uncertainty regarding potential impacts to Veritiv Corporation's ("Veritiv" or the "Company") operations, supply 
chain and customer demand.  The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread, rapidly evolving and unpredictable impacts on 
global societies, economies, financial markets and business practices.  Federal and state governments have implemented 
measures in an effort to contain the virus, including physical distancing recommendations, travel restrictions, border closures, 
limitations on public gatherings, work-from-home recommendations, supply chain logistical changes and closure of non-
essential businesses.  Veritiv’s logistics and distribution operations have fallen within guidance provided by various 
government authorities on essential businesses, services and workplaces and therefore the Company has not experienced any 
closures of distribution centers.  Veritiv serves customers across a broad range of industry sectors and geographies, with 
varying COVID-19 impacts.  Primarily beginning in April 2020, unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have had a 
negative impact on the Company's financial results, including decreased sales activity across all segments.  During the third and 
fourth quarters of 2020, the Company experienced improvements in sales activity in each of its reportable segments as 
compared to the second quarter of 2020, with the Packaging segment nearing pre-COVID-19 levels.

Veritiv's first priority remains the health and safety of its employees, customers and their families.  The Company has 
taken steps to limit exposure and enhance the safety of its facilities for employees working to continue to supply vital products 
to its customers.  In response to the pandemic, Veritiv initiated its Corporate Incident Response Team and initiated enhanced 
health and safety measures across its facilities.  The Company modified practices at its distribution centers and offices to adhere 
to guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health and governmental authorities with 
respect to social distancing, enhanced cleaning protocols and usage of personal protective equipment, where appropriate.  In 
addition, the Company implemented global travel restrictions and work-from-home policies for employees who have the ability 
to work remotely.

Towards the end of the first quarter of 2020, the Company began to experience decreased sales activity in each of its 

reportable segments as compared to the corresponding prior year period.  As a result, in April 2020, Veritiv took several actions 
to help mitigate the effects of the revenue decline and improve liquidity.  These actions included (i) temporarily reducing 
salaries for senior leaders ranging from 10% to 50% through June 2020, (ii) temporarily reducing annual cash retainers for 
independent directors by 50% through June 2020, (iii) placing approximately 15% of its salaried workforce on temporary 
furloughs through mid-July 2020, (iv) adjusting its supply chain operations staff depending on volume at specific locations, (v) 
suspending its share repurchase program and (vi) reducing discretionary spending including planned capital expenditures.  In 
July 2020, Veritiv took additional actions in response to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance liquidity, 
including implementing cost-savings and cash preservation initiatives.  These actions included the permanent reduction of the 
Company's U.S. salaried workforce by approximately 15% across all business segments and corporate functions, as further 
described under "2020 Restructuring Plan" below.  In addition, during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020 the 
Company invested $75.0 million of its cash in highly-liquid investments instead of paying down its long-term debt.

Veritiv's management expects that cash provided by operating activities and available capacity under the Asset-Based 
Lending Facility (the "ABL Facility") will provide sufficient funds to operate the business and meet other liquidity needs.  As 
of December 31, 2020, Veritiv had cash and cash equivalents of $120.6 million and also had $341.9 million in available 
additional borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility.  In April 2020, Veritiv refinanced and extended the maturity date of the 
ABL Facility to April 2025.

The current circumstances are dynamic and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business 

operations, including the duration and impact on overall customer demand, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.  The 
extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company's business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity 

26

and financial condition will depend on future developments.  These developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be 
predicted, include, but are not limited to, the duration, spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the 
COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's employees, customers, suppliers and vendors and the remedial actions and stimulus 
measures adopted by local and federal governments, the availability, adoption and effectiveness of a vaccine and to what extent 
normal economic and operating conditions can resume and be sustained.  Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, the 
Company may experience an impact to its business as a result of any economic recession, downturn or volatility that has 
occurred or may occur in the future.

See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information on risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Recent Events

2020 Restructuring Plan

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company initiated a restructuring plan in response to the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic on its business operations and the ongoing secular changes in its Print and Publishing segments.  During 
the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company expanded the initial plan to further align its cost structure with ongoing business needs 
as the Company executes on its stated corporate strategy.  The initial and expansion activities are collectively referred to as the 
"2020 Restructuring Plan."

The 2020 Restructuring Plan will result in (i) the reduction of the Company's U.S. salaried workforce by 
approximately 15% across all business segments and corporate functions, (ii) the closure of certain warehouse facilities and 
retail stores, (iii) adjustments to various compensation plans, (iv) repositioning of inventory to expand the Company's service 
radius and (v) other actions. 

The Company estimates it will now incur total restructuring charges of between $77 million and $101 million in 
connection with the 2020 Restructuring Plan.  These costs will consist of approximately (i) $52 million to $54 million in 
employee termination and other one-time compensation costs, (ii) $11 million to $29 million in real estate exit costs, (iii) 
$10 million in inventory related costs and (iv) $4 million to $8 million in other exit costs.  In addition, the Company expects to 
incur approximately $4 million of inventory related costs to be reported in cost of products sold.  The Company expects to 
substantially complete the 2020 Restructuring Plan by the end of 2021.  Initial charges were incurred and recorded in June 
2020.  See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the Company's restructuring 
efforts.

Supply Chain Restructuring 

On March 13, 2020, Veritiv announced that its Board of Directors authorized Company management to evaluate 

alternatives to restructure the Company’s integrated supply chain in an effort to facilitate better alignment with the supply chain 
needs of the Company’s customers by segment, with a view towards reducing complexity and lowering overall supply chain 
costs.  Each of the Company’s reportable segments has different market dynamics and business and service needs.  As a result, 
the Company is investigating whether an alternative supply chain structure would be more economically or operationally 
desirable.  Moreover, to address the ongoing and rapid secular decline of the paper industry, management continues to explore 
opportunities to adapt the cost structure necessary to support the Print segment.  In an effort to ensure all aspects of the 
Company can operate most effectively, the Company intends to review and evaluate restructuring options and what the optimal 
path forward will be.  The Company plans to proceed with this review in a timely manner, but no decision has been made to 
pursue any specific course of action, and there can be no assurance as to what form the restructuring may take or whether this 
evaluation will result in any restructuring.  Additionally, any restructuring may result in a significant charge to earnings in any 
given financial reporting period or periods.

Business Overview

Veritiv is a leading North American business-to-business full-service provider of value-added packaging products and 

services, as well as facility solutions, print and publishing products and services.  Additionally, Veritiv provides logistics and 
supply chain management solutions to its customers.  On August 31, 2017, Veritiv completed its acquisition of 100% of the 
equity interest in various All American Containers entities (collectively, "AAC").  AAC was a family owned and operated 
distributor of rigid packaging products, including plastic, glass and metal containers, caps, closures and plastic pouches.  The 
Company operates from 125 distribution centers primarily throughout the United States ("U.S."), Canada and Mexico. 

27

Veritiv's business is organized under four reportable segments:  Packaging, Facility Solutions, Print, and Publishing 

and Print Management ("Publishing").  This segment structure is consistent with the way the Chief Operating Decision Maker, 
who is Veritiv's Chief Executive Officer, makes operating decisions and manages the growth and profitability of the Company's 
business.  The Company also has a Corporate & Other category which includes certain assets and costs not primarily 
attributable to any of the reportable segments, as well as the Veritiv logistics solutions business which provides transportation 
and warehousing solutions.  The following summary describes the products and services offered in each of the reportable 
segments:

•

•

•

•

Packaging – Veritiv is a global provider of packaging products, services and solutions.  The Packaging segment 
provides custom and standard packaging solutions for customers based in North America and in key global markets.  
We service our customers with a full spectrum of packaging product materials within the fiber-based, flexible and rigid 
categories.  The business is strategically focused on higher growth industry sectors including manufacturing, food 
processing and service, fulfillment and internet retail, as well as niche sectors based on industry and product expertise.  
Veritiv's packaging professionals create customer value through supply chain solutions, structural and graphic 
packaging design and engineering, automation, workflow and equipment services and kitting.

Facility Solutions – Veritiv is a global provider of hygiene and facility solutions products and services.  The Facility 
Solutions segment sources and sells cleaning, break-room and other supplies such as towels, tissues, commercial 
cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment and safety supplies, wipers, can liners, soaps and sanitizers, 
dispensers, sanitary maintenance supplies and equipment, hazard supplies, and shampoos and amenities primarily in 
North America.  Through this segment, Veritiv manages a world class network of leading suppliers in most facilities 
solutions categories.  Additionally, the Company offers total cost of ownership solutions with re-merchandising, 
budgeting and compliance reporting, inventory management and a sales-force trained to bring leading vertical 
expertise to the major North American geographies.

Print – The Print segment sells and distributes commercial printing, writing, copying, digital, specialty products, 
graphics consumables and graphics equipment primarily in North America.  This segment also includes customized 
paper conversion services of commercial printing paper for distribution to document centers and form printers.  
Veritiv's broad geographic platform of operations coupled with the breadth of paper and graphics products, including 
exclusive private brand offerings, provides a foundation to service national, regional and local customers across North 
America.

Publishing – The Publishing segment sells and distributes coated and uncoated commercial printing papers to 
publishers, retailers, converters, printers and specialty businesses for use in magazines, catalogs, books, directories, 
gaming, couponing, retail inserts and direct mail primarily in the U.S.  This segment also provides print management, 
procurement and supply chain management solutions to simplify paper and print procurement processes for Veritiv's 
customers. 

28

 
Results of Operations, Including Business Segments 

The following discussion compares the consolidated operating results of Veritiv for the years ended December 31, 

2020, 2019 and 2018:

Year Ended December 31,

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

(in millions)

Net sales

2020

2019

2018

$

%

$

%

$  6,345.6  $  7,659.4  $  8,696.2  $  (1,313.8) 

 (17.2) % $ (1,036.8) 

 (11.9) %

Cost of products sold (exclusive of 
depreciation and amortization shown 
separately below)
Distribution expenses

Selling and administrative expenses

Depreciation and amortization

Integration and acquisition expenses

Restructuring charges, net

Operating income (loss)

Interest expense, net

Other (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit)

  5,040.2 

  6,206.2 

  7,155.7 

  (1,166.0) 

 (18.8) %  

(949.5) 

 (13.3) %

429.8 

717.9 

57.7 

— 

52.2 

47.8 

25.1 

(20.3)   

43.0 

8.8 

509.2 

823.3 

53.5 

17.5 

28.8 

20.9 

38.1 

11.6 

(28.8)   

0.7 

550.5 

867.6 

53.5 

31.8 

21.3 

15.8 

42.3 

(16.3)   

(10.2)   

5.5 

(79.4) 

 (15.6) %  

(105.4) 

 (12.8) %  

4.2 

 7.9 %  

(41.3) 

(44.3) 

0.0 

 (7.5) %

 (5.1) %

 0.0 %

(17.5) 

 (100.0) %  

(14.3) 

 (45.0) %

23.4 

26.9 

 81.3 %  

 128.7 %  

7.5 

5.1 

(13.0) 

 (34.1) %  

(4.2) 

 35.2 %

 32.3 %

 (9.9) %

(31.9) 

 (275.0) %  

27.9 

 171.2 %

71.8 

 249.3 %  

(18.6) 

 (182.4) %

8.1 

 1,157.1 %  

(4.8) 

 (87.3) %

Net income (loss)

$ 

34.2  $ 

(29.5)  $ 

(15.7)  $ 

63.7 

 215.9 % $ 

(13.8) 

 (87.9) %

Net Sales

•

2020 compared to 2019: Net sales decreased by $1,313.8 million, or 17.2%.  Primarily beginning in April 2020, the 
Company experienced decreased net sales in each of its segments due to the negative impacts from the COVID-19 
pandemic.  Declines in the Print and Publishing segments' net sales were responsible for approximately 70% of the 
total decline in net sales.  However, net sales declines of 10.5% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 17.3% in the third 
quarter of 2020 were sequential improvements as compared to the decline of 28.3% in the second quarter of 2020.  See 
the "Segment Results" section for additional discussion.  Management expects net sales during the first half of 2021 to 
be unfavorably impacted in each of the Company's reportable segments, with the possible exception of the Packaging 
segment, due to the continuing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The duration and extent of the COVID-19 
pandemic is highly uncertain and the magnitude of net sales declines is difficult to predict.

•

2019 compared to 2018: Net sales decreased by $1,036.8 million, or 11.9%, primarily due to the Print and Publishing 
segments' decline in net sales as those segments were responsible for over 75% of the total decline in net sales.  See 
the "Segment Results" section for additional discussion.

Cost of Products Sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

•

•

2020 compared to 2019: Cost of products sold decreased by $1,166.0 million, or 18.8%, primarily due to the decline 
in net sales as previously discussed.  Cost of products sold decreased at a faster rate than net sales due to 
improvements in pricing, as well as changes in both segment and customer mix.  See the "Segment Results" section for 
additional discussion.

2019 compared to 2018: Cost of products sold decreased by $949.5 million, or 13.3%, primarily due to the decline in 
net sales as previously discussed.  See the "Segment Results" section for additional discussion.

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution Expenses

•

•

2020 compared to 2019: Distribution expenses decreased by $79.4 million, or 15.6%.  The decrease was primarily 
attributable to (i) a $39.1 million decrease in wages and temporary employee expenses, (ii) a $23.8 million decrease in 
freight and logistics expense, (iii) a $10.9 million decrease in equipment and facility rent expense and (iv) a $3.3 
million decrease in maintenance costs.  The decrease in wages and temporary employee expenses was primarily driven 
by actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including lowering headcount across the 
Company's distribution network.  The decrease in freight and logistics expense was primarily driven by a decrease in 
third-party freight and fuel expenses mostly related to lower net sales volumes.  The decrease in equipment and facility 
rent expense was primarily driven by consolidation of the Company's facilities.

2019 compared to 2018: Distribution expenses decreased by $41.3 million, or 7.5%.   The decrease was primarily 
attributable to (i) a $25.7 million decrease in freight and logistics expenses, primarily driven by a decrease in third-
party freight and fuel expenses, (ii) an $18.7 million decrease in personnel expenses driven by lower wages, temporary 
employee expenses and multi-employer pension plan ("MEPP") withdrawal charges and (iii) a $3.5 million decrease 
related to replacing certain equipment leases, previously treated as operating leases (expenses included in distribution 
expense), with finance leases (expenses included in depreciation and amortization and interest expense, net), partially 
offset by a $7.4 million increase in storage expenses mostly during the first half of 2019, primarily due to replacing 
certain property leases, previously treated as financing arrangements (expenses included in depreciation and 
amortization and interest expense, net) with operating leases.  Charges associated with withdrawals from MEPPs were 
$6.6 million in 2019 and $11.2 million in 2018.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

•

•

2020 compared to 2019: Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $105.4 million, or 12.8%.  The decrease 
was primarily due to (i) a $78.9 million decrease in personnel expenses, (ii) an $8.6 million decrease in professional 
fees expense, (iii) an $8.3 million net gain on the sale of property, (iv) a $3.9 million decrease related to the escheat 
audit expense in 2019 that did not repeat in 2020 and (v) a $2.5 million decrease in bad debt expense.  The decrease in 
personnel expenses was primarily driven by (i) lower wages and temporary employee expenses primarily as a result of 
actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) a decrease in commission expenses driven 
by lower net sales and (iii) a decrease in travel and entertainment expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
partially offset by higher incentive compensation expenses.

2019 compared to 2018: Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $44.3 million, or 5.1%.  The decrease was 
primarily due to (i) a $30.6 million decrease in personnel expense, mainly driven by a decrease in commission and 
compensation expenses primarily related to the Print segment, (ii) a $12.2 million decrease in bad debt expense 
primarily related to the Print segment and (iii) an $8.7 million decrease in professional fees expense, partially offset by 
a $2.7 million decrease related to a facility sale net gain in 2018, a $1.4 million increase in insurance expense and a 
$1.2 million increase related to the escheat audit.

Depreciation and Amortization

•

•

2020 compared to 2019: Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $4.2 million, or 7.9%, primarily due to 
increases in depreciation related to capitalized delivery equipment.

2019 compared to 2018: Depreciation and amortization expense was flat as compared to 2018. 

Integration and Acquisition Expenses 

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Veritiv incurred costs and charges to integrate its combined 
businesses.  Integration expenses included internally dedicated integration management resources, retention compensation, 
information technology conversion costs, professional services and other costs to integrate its businesses.  Additionally, Veritiv 
incurred integration and acquisition expenses of $0.8 million and $2.1 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to the 
acquisition of AAC on August 31, 2017.  The Company completed its integration efforts as of December 31, 2019.  See Note 4 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to integration and acquisition expenses. 

Restructuring Charges, Net

During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred charges of $11.8 million and 

30

$52.2 million, respectively related to the 2020 Restructuring Plan.  The Company expects to substantially complete the 2020 
Restructuring Plan by the end of 2021.  Initial charges were incurred and recorded in June 2020.

For periods prior to 2020, Restructuring charges, net related primarily to Veritiv's Merger related restructuring of its 

North American operations intended to integrate the legacy xpedx and Unisource operations, generate cost savings and capture 
synergies across the combined company.  Restructuring charges, net in 2018 also included impacts from its Print restructuring 
plan, which was completed in 2018.  Restructuring charges, net included net (losses) or gains related to the sale or exit of 
certain facilities totaling ($0.4) million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The 
Company completed its Merger related restructuring efforts as of December 31, 2019.

See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the Company's restructuring 

efforts.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net in 2020 consisted of (i) $18.9 million of interest expense on the Company's ABL Facility, (ii) 

$3.0 million of finance lease interest expense, (iii) $2.1 million for amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs related 
to the ABL Facility and (iv) $1.1 million in miscellaneous interest expense.  Interest expense, net in 2020 decreased by $13.0 
million, or 34.1%, compared to 2019 primarily due to (i) lower average interest rates and (ii) a lower average balance on the 
ABL Facility.  The decreased average balance was due to an increase in operating cash flow used to reduce the ABL Facility 
balance.  See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the ABL Facility.

Interest expense, net in 2019 consisted of (i) $32.8 million of interest expense on the ABL Facility, (ii) $2.6 million for 

amortization of deferred financing costs related to the ABL Facility and (iii) $2.7 million in miscellaneous interest expense.  
Interest expense, net in 2019 decreased by $4.2 million compared to 2018 primarily due to a lower average balance on the ABL 
Facility.  The decreased average balance was due to an increase in operating cash flow used to reduce the ABL Facility balance.  
See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the ABL Facility.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

•

•

2020 compared to 2019: Other (income) expense, net, in 2020 was income of $20.3 million.  This was a net 
improvement of $31.9 million, as compared to the same period in 2019.  In December 2020, the Company and UWW 
Holdings, LLC (the "UWWH Stockholder") agreed to settle the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA"), which was 
entered into at the time of the Merger.  The Company paid the UWWH Stockholder a total of $12.0 million in 
settlement of all past and future liabilities that would have been owed under the TRA and the parties agreed to a 
mutual release of claims under the TRA.  As a result of the settlement, the Company recognized a favorable fair value 
adjustment of $20.1 million in other (income) expense, net in the fourth quarter of 2020.  The remaining net 
improvement in 2020 was primarily due to the 2020 AAC contingent consideration expense being $12.1 million lower 
than the 2019 expense.  The AAC contingent consideration liability was settled in March 2020.  See Note 10 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the AAC contingent consideration.

2019 compared to 2018: Other (income) expense, net, in 2019 was expense of $11.6 million.  This was a net other 
expense increase of $27.9 million, compared to the same period in 2018.  In 2019 there was a $13.1 million increase in 
the fair value of the AAC contingent consideration as compared to a reduction of $12.3 million in 2018.  See Note 10 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the AAC contingent consideration.  The 
remaining expense was primarily driven by changes associated with the TRA.

See Note 8 and Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the TRA. 

Effective Tax Rate

Veritiv's effective tax rates were 20.5%, (2.4)% and (53.9)% for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 

respectively.  The difference between the Company's effective tax rates and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily 
relates to the tax effect of TRA changes, state income taxes (net of federal income tax benefit), tax expense for stock 
compensation vesting, Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, non-deductible expenses, tax credits and the Company's pre-tax 
book income (loss) by jurisdiction, and changes in the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.  In addition, the 

31

Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes a $2.4 million benefit related to the carryback of 
net operating losses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act").

The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 was impacted by the following discrete item:

•

A $1.3 million expense recorded in 2018 for the accounting completed under the measurement period related to the 
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act") under Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, totaling $31.5 million of 
cumulative effect of which $24.0 million is remeasurement of our deferred taxes and $7.5 million for the one-time 
transition tax.  See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding the 
Tax Act.  

The volatility of the Company's effective tax rate has been primarily due to both the level of pre-tax book income 

(loss) as well as variations in the Company's income (loss) by jurisdiction.  The Company expects continued volatility of the 
effective tax rate for the foreseeable future due to potential fluctuations in the amount and source, including both foreign and 
domestic, of pre-tax book income (loss) by jurisdiction, potential deferred tax valuation allowance increases in certain 
jurisdictions, changes in amounts of non-deductible expenses, and other items that could impact the effective tax rate.  
Additionally, continued unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on the Company's 
financial results during the year ended December 31, 2020.  The negative impact on the Company's financial and operating 
results and other one-time costs further influence volatility.  See further discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic impacts in the 
Executive Overview section above.  See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information 
related to the Company's income taxes.

Segment Results 

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, net, 
integration and acquisition expenses and other similar charges including any severance costs, costs associated with warehouse 
and office openings or closings, consolidation, and relocation and other business optimization expenses, stock-based 
compensation expense, changes in the LIFO reserve, non-restructuring asset impairment charges, non-restructuring severance 
charges, non-restructuring pension charges, net, fair value adjustments related to contingent liabilities assumed in mergers and 
acquisitions and certain other adjustments) is the primary financial performance measure Veritiv uses to manage its businesses, 
to monitor its results of operations, to measure its performance against the ABL Facility and to incentivize its management.  
Veritiv believes investors commonly use Adjusted EBITDA as a key financial metric for valuing companies.  In addition, the 
credit agreement governing the ABL Facility permits the Company to exclude these and other charges in calculating 
Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the ABL Facility.  This common metric is intended to align shareholders, debt holders and 
management.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not an alternative to net income, operating income or 
any other measure prescribed by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for 

analysis of Veritiv's results as reported under U.S. GAAP.  For example, Adjusted EBITDA:

•
•

Does not reflect the Company's income tax expenses or the cash requirements to pay its taxes; and
Although depreciation and amortization charges are non-cash charges, it does not reflect that the assets being 
depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and the foregoing metric does not reflect any 
cash requirements for such replacements.

Other companies in the industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than Veritiv does, limiting its usefulness 

as a comparative measure.  Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of 
discretionary cash available to Veritiv to invest in the growth of its business.  Veritiv compensates for these limitations by 
relying both on the Company's U.S. GAAP results and by using Adjusted EBITDA for supplemental purposes.  Additionally, 
Adjusted EBITDA is not an alternative measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and therefore should be considered 
in conjunction with net income and other performance measures such as operating income or net cash provided by operating 
activities and not as an alternative to such U.S. GAAP measures.

Due to the shared nature of the distribution network to support the Packaging, Facility Solutions and Print segments, 
distribution expenses are not a specific charge to each segment, but are instead allocated to each segment based primarily on 
operational metrics that correlate with changes in volume.  Accordingly, distribution expenses allocated to each segment are 
highly interdependent on the results of other segments.  Lower volume in any segment that is not offset by a reduction in 

32

distribution expenses can result in the other segments absorbing a larger share of distribution expenses.  Conversely, higher 
volume in any segment can result in the other segments absorbing a smaller share of distribution expenses.  The impact of this 
at the segment level is that the changes in distribution expense trends may not correspond with volume trends within a 
particular segment.

The Company sells thousands of products.  In the Packaging and Facility Solutions segments, Veritiv is unable to 
compute the impact of changes in sales volume based on changes in sales of each individual product.  Rather, the Company 
assumes that the margin stays constant and estimates the volume impact based on changes in cost of products sold as a proxy 
for the change in sales volume.  After any other significant sales variances are identified, the remaining sales variance is 
attributed to price/mix.

The Company approximates foreign currency effects by applying the foreign currency exchange rate for the prior 

period to the local currency results for the current period.  We believe the elimination of the foreign currency translation impact 
provides better year-to-year comparability without the distortion of foreign currency fluctuations.

The Company believes that the decline in the demand for paper and related products is due to the widespread use of 
electronic media and permanent product substitution, more e-commerce, less print advertising, fewer catalogs and a reduced 
volume of direct mail, among other factors.  This trend, which may have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is 
expected to continue and will place continued pressure on the Company's revenues and profit margins and make it more 
difficult to maintain or grow Adjusted EBITDA within the Print and Publishing segments.

Included in the following table are net sales and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the reportable segments and Corporate 

Packaging

Facility 
Solutions

Print

Publishing

Corporate & 
Other

& Other: 

(in millions)

Year Ended December 31, 2020

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales

Year Ended December 31, 2018

$ 

3,316.7 

$ 

922.3 

$ 

1,458.2 

$ 

543.5 

$ 

300.0 

 9.0 %

41.6 

 4.5 %

33.7 

 2.3 %

12.8 

 2.4 %

$ 

3,446.3 

$ 

1,181.8 

$ 

2,104.6 

$ 

798.0 

$ 

243.5 

 7.1 %

33.1 

 2.8 %

43.1 

 2.0 %

21.4 

 2.7 %

104.9 

(200.5) 

*

128.7 

(185.2) 

*

141.5 

(178.9) 
*

Net sales

$ 

3,547.1 

$ 

1,311.7 

$ 

2,676.7 

$ 

1,019.2 

$ 

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales

246.7 

 7.0 %

29.0 
 2.2 %

64.0 
 2.4 %

24.6 
 2.4 %

  * - not meaningful

See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of net income (loss) as reflected on 

the Consolidated Statements of Operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments.

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging 

The table below presents selected data with respect to the Packaging segment:

(in millions)

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as a % 
of net sales

Year Ended December 31,

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

2020

2019

2018

$

%

$

%

$  3,316.7 

$  3,446.3 

$  3,547.1 

$ 

(129.6) 

 (3.8) % $ 

(100.8) 

300.0 

243.5 

246.7 

56.5 

 23.2 %  

(3.2) 

 9.0 %

 7.1 %

 7.0 %

190 BPS

 (2.8) %

 (1.3) %

10 BPS

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

(in millions)

Volume

Foreign currency

Price/Mix

Increase (Decrease)

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

$ 

(183.9)  $ 

(140.1) 

(1.6)   

55.9 

(8.4) 

47.7 

$ 

(129.6)  $ 

(100.8) 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net sales decreased $129.6 million, or 3.8%, compared to 2019.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 

decreased sales of films, tapes, corrugated products and bags that was in part attributable to the negative effects of the 
COVID-19 pandemic beginning in April 2020, partially offset by favorable price/mix.  Net sales increased 4.3% in the fourth 
quarter of 2020 from the 2019 fourth quarter, as compared to declines of 2.7% and 11.3% in the third and second quarters of 
2020, respectively, from the corresponding quarters of the prior year.  The sequential quarterly improvement in net sales was 
due in part to strong e-commerce and rigid packaging demand and improvements in sales to industrial manufacturing customers 
that had been previously impacted by partial or complete shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $56.5 million, or 23.2%, compared to 2019.  The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was 

primarily attributable to (i) cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net sales, (ii) a $35.9 million decrease in selling 
and administrative expenses and (iii) a $10.1 million decrease in distribution expenses, partially offset by a decline in net sales.  
The decrease in selling and administrative expenses was primarily driven by (i) a $26.2 million decrease in personnel expenses, 
primarily driven by actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and (ii) a $5.5 million decrease in 
bad debt expense.  The decrease in distribution expenses was primarily driven by (i) a $5.9 million decrease in freight and 
logistics expense, primarily driven by third-party freight and fuel expenses and (ii) a $4.5 million decrease in personnel 
expenses.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net sales decreased $100.8 million, or 2.8%, compared to 2018.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 

decreased sales of films, corrugated products and food packaging.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $3.2 million, or 1.3%, compared to 2018.  The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was 
primarily attributable to (i) a $12.2 million increase in selling and administrative expenses, (ii) a $4.8 million increase in 
distribution expenses and (iii) a decline in net sales, partially offset by cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net 
sales.  The increase in selling and administrative expenses was primarily driven by (i) an $8.3 million increase in personnel 
expenses associated with a reallocation of resources to support the Company's Packaging growth strategy and (ii) a $2.0 million 
increase in bad debt expense.  The increase in distribution expenses was primarily due to an increase in facility rent mostly 
during the first half of 2019 related to replacing certain property leases, previously treated as financing arrangements (expenses 
included in depreciation and amortization and interest expense, net) with operating leases (expenses included in distribution 
expense).

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Facility Solutions 

The table below presents selected data with respect to the Facility Solutions segment:  

Year Ended December 31,

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

(in millions)

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as a % 
of net sales

2020

2019

2018

$

%

$

$  922.3 

$  1,181.8 

$  1,311.7 

$ 

(259.5) 

 (22.0) % $ 

(129.9) 

41.6 

33.1 

29.0 

8.5 

 25.7 %  

4.1 

 4.5 %

 2.8 %

 2.2 %

170 BPS

%

 (9.9) %

 14.1 %

60 BPS

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

(in millions)

Volume

Foreign currency

Price/Mix

Increase (Decrease)

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

$ 

(266.4)  $ 

(129.0) 

(2.6)   

9.5 

(6.5) 

5.6 

$ 

(259.5)  $ 

(129.9) 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net sales decreased $259.5 million, or 22.0%, compared to 2019.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 

(i) decreased sales of towels and tissues, food service products and can liners primarily driven by the negative impact on 
demand from the COVID-19 pandemic and (ii) the Company exiting a branded re-distribution business.  The Company began 
exiting a branded re-distribution business in the third quarter of 2019 and substantially completed the exit by December 31, 
2019.  During 2020, net sales associated with this business decreased $96.7 million from 2019 and have historically been 
approximately 12% of the Facility Solutions segment's net sales.  Beginning in April 2020 net sales were negatively impacted 
due to reduced customer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic despite strong demand in the product categories of 
personal protective equipment and hygiene-related products. Negative impacts to customer demand have included business and 
school temporary closures, travel restrictions, constraints on large venues hosting sporting, conventions and entertainment 
events as well as extended work-from-home measures. In addition, net sales were lower due to strategic decisions to exit certain 
customer relationships that were not aligned with the Company's product and service capabilities.

Beginning in March 2020, the Facility Solutions segment experienced significant sales growth driven by increased 

demand for sanitizers and soap products, gloves and other personal protective products, and cleaning supplies due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic.  Demand for these personal protective equipment and hygiene-related products was strong in the second, 
third and fourth quarters of 2020.  However, as noted above, net sales for other Facility Solutions products were negatively 
impacted beginning in April 2020 due to overall reduced customer demand.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $8.5 million, or 25.7%, compared to 2019.  The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was 

primarily attributable to (i) a $29.6 million decrease in distribution expenses, (ii) a $29.3 million decrease in selling and 
administrative expenses and (iii) cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net sales, partially offset by a decline in 
net sales.  The decrease in distribution expenses was primarily driven by (i) a $16.8 million decrease in personnel expenses, (ii) 
an $8.7 million decrease in freight and logistics expense, primarily driven by third-party freight and fuel expenses and (iii) a 
$2.7 million decrease in equipment and facility rent expense, primarily driven by consolidation of the Company's facilities.  The 
decrease in selling and administrative expense was primarily driven by a $27.5 million decrease in personnel expenses, 
primarily driven by actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in commission 
expense driven by lower net sales.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net sales decreased $129.9 million, or 9.9%, compared to 2018.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 
decreased sales of food service products, towels and tissues and chemicals.  The decrease in net sales was also due to strategic 

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
decisions to exit certain customer relationships that were not aligned with the Company's product and service capabilities.  
During the 2019 third quarter the Company began exiting a branded re-distribution business which was substantially completed 
by year-end 2019.  Net sales associated with this business decreased $53.7 million from 2018 and have historically been 
approximately 12% of the Facility Solutions segment's net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $4.1 million, or 14.1%, compared to 2018.  The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was 

primarily attributable to (i) a $17.9 million decrease in distribution expenses, (ii) a $10.2 million decrease in selling and 
administrative expenses and (iii) cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net sales, partially offset by a decline in 
net sales.  The decrease in distribution expenses was primarily driven by (i) an $8.0 million decrease in freight and logistics 
expenses, primarily driven by a decrease in third-party freight and fuel expenses, (ii) a $6.2 million decrease in personnel 
expenses and (iii) a $3.1 million decrease in facilities rent and other related expenses.  The decrease in selling and 
administrative expenses was primarily driven by a $8.8 million decrease in personnel expenses.

Print 

The table below presents selected data with respect to the Print segment:   

(in millions)

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as a % 
of net sales

Year Ended December 31,

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

2020

2019

2018

$

%

$

$  1,458.2 

$  2,104.6 

$  2,676.7 

$ 

(646.4) 

 (30.7) % $ 

(572.1) 

33.7 

43.1 

64.0 

(9.4) 

 (21.8) %  

(20.9) 

%

 (21.4) %

 (32.7) %

 2.3 %

 2.0 %

 2.4 %

30 BPS

(40) BPS

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

(in millions)

Volume

Foreign currency

Price/Mix

Increase (Decrease)

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

$ 

(578.3)  $ 

(678.7) 

(1.2)   

(66.9)   

$ 

(646.4)  $ 

(4.7) 

111.3 

(572.1) 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net sales decreased $646.4 million, or 30.7%, compared to 2019.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 
(i) the continued secular decline in the paper industry in addition to managing risk in the segment through strategic adjustments 
to the Company's customer base and (ii) the negative impact on demand from the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in April 
2020.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $9.4 million, or 21.8%, compared to 2019.  The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was 

primarily attributable to a decline in net sales, partially offset by (i) a $42.9 million decrease in distribution expenses and (ii) a
$37.2 million decrease in selling and administrative expenses.  The decrease in distribution expenses was primarily driven by (i) 
a $19.3 million decrease in personnel expenses, (ii) an $11.4 million decrease in equipment and facility rent expense, primarily 
driven by consolidation of the Company's facilities, (iii) a $9.1 million decrease in freight and logistics expense, primarily 
driven by a decrease in third-party freight and fuel expenses and (iv) a $2.3 million decrease in maintenance expenses.  The 
decrease in selling and administrative expenses was primarily driven by (i) a $33.2 million decrease in personnel expenses, 
primarily driven by actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in commission 
expense driven by lower net sales and (ii) a $1.5 million decrease in professional fees expense.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net sales decreased $572.1 million, or 21.4%, compared to 2018.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 
the continued secular decline in the paper industry as well as managing risk in the Print segment through strategic adjustments 

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
to the Company's customer base and product offerings, partially offset by higher market prices.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $20.9 million, or 32.7%, compared to 2018.  The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was 

primarily driven by the decline in net sales and cost of products sold decreasing at a slower rate than net sales, partially offset 
by (i) a $41.0 million decrease in selling and administrative expenses and (ii) a $24.2 million decrease in distribution expenses.  
The decrease in selling and administrative expenses was primarily due to (i) a $26.0 million decrease in personnel expenses due 
to a decrease in commission expense driven by lower net sales and a decrease in headcount and commission expense related to 
the Print segment restructuring plan and (ii) a $13.1 million decrease in bad debt expense.  The decrease in distribution 
expenses was driven by (i) a $12.4 million decrease in freight and logistics expenses, primarily driven by a decrease in third-
party freight and fuel expenses and (ii) a $9.7 million decrease in personnel expenses.

Publishing 

The table below presents selected data with respect to the Publishing segment:

Year Ended December 31,

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

(in millions)

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of 
net sales

2020

2019

2018

$

%

$

$  543.5 

$  798.0 

$ 1,019.2 

$ 

(254.5) 

 (31.9) % $ 

(221.2) 

12.8 

21.4 

24.6 

(8.6) 

 (40.2) %  

(3.2) 

 2.4 %

 2.7 %

 2.4 %

(30) BPS

%

 (21.7) %

 (13.0) %

30 BPS

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

(in millions)

Volume

Foreign currency

Price/Mix

Increase (Decrease)

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

$ 

(214.5)  $ 

(267.3) 

— 

(40.0)   

— 

46.1 

$ 

(254.5)  $ 

(221.2) 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net sales decreased $254.5 million, or 31.9%, compared to 2019.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 

(i) the continued secular decline in the paper industry, managing risks in the segment through strategic adjustments to the 
Company's customer base, and changes in order patterns due to customer consolidation, digital advertising and other factors as 
well as (ii) the negative impact on demand from the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in April 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $8.6 million, or 40.2%, compared to 2019.  The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was 

primarily attributable to a decline in net sales, partially offset by (i) cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net 
sales and (ii) a $2.5 million decrease in selling and administrative expenses.  The decrease in selling and administrative 
expenses was primarily driven by a $5.4 million decrease in personnel expenses, primarily driven by a decrease in commission 
expense driven by lower net sales and actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by 
a $3.6 million increase in bad debt expense.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net sales decreased $221.2 million, or 21.7%, compared to 2018.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to 

the continued secular decline in the paper industry as well as managing risk in the Publishing segment through strategic 
adjustments to the Company's customer base, partially offset by higher market prices.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $3.2 million, or 13.0%, compared to 2018.  The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was 
primarily attributable to the decline in net sales, partially offset by cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net sales, 

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and a $5.0 million decrease in selling and administrative expenses which was primarily driven by a decrease in personnel 
expenses.

Corporate & Other

(in millions)

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA

Year Ended December 31,

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

2020

2019

2018

$

%

$

$  104.9  $  128.7  $  141.5  $ 

  (200.5)    (185.2)    (178.9)   

(23.8) 

(15.3) 

 (18.5) % $ 

(12.8) 

 (8.3) %  

(6.3) 

%

 (9.0) %

 (3.5) %

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net sales decreased $23.8 million, or 18.5%, compared to 2019.  The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to a 

decrease in volume of freight brokerage services including the negative impact on demand from the COVID-19 pandemic 
beginning in April 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $15.3 million, or 8.3%, compared to 2019.  The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was 
primarily driven by (i) a $10.4 million increase in selling and administrative expenses, (ii) cost of products sold decreasing at a 
slower rate than net sales and (iii) a decline in net sales.  The increase in selling and administrative expenses was primarily 
driven by a $33.8 million increase in incentive compensation expenses driven by the Company outperforming incentive targets 
and a one-time discretionary payout for employees not participating in the annual incentive program for helping to ensure 
Veritiv's continued operations during the pandemic, partially offset by (i) a $13.9 million decrease in wages and temporary 
employee expenses, primarily driven by actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) a $7.7 
million decrease in professional fees expense and (iii) a $2.5 million decrease in travel and entertainment expenses.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net sales decreased $12.8 million, or 9.0%, compared to 2018, driven by a decrease in volume of freight brokerage 

services.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $6.3 million, or 3.5%, compared to 2018, primarily driven by (i) a $2.9 million increase 

in incentive compensation driven by strong cash flow results, (ii) a $1.4 million increase in casualty insurance losses and (iii) 
the decline in net sales.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The cash requirements of the Company are provided by cash flows from operations and borrowings under the ABL 
Facility.  See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's 
debt position.  

The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows:

(in millions)

Net cash provided by (used for):

Operating activities

Investing activities

Financing activities

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

$ 

289.2  $ 

281.0  $ 

(5.3)   

(33.6)   

(202.6)   

(273.9)   

15.0 

(21.7) 

(8.7) 

38

 
 
Analysis of Cash Flows

2020 Cash Flows

The Company ended 2020 with $120.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $82.6 million over the prior 

year-end balance.  Cash flow from operations was $289.2 million in 2020 compared with $281.0 million in 2019.  Net cash 
provided by operating activities increased by $8.2 million as compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of improvements 
in operating results partially offset by lower cash flows from operating assets and liabilities as decreases in cash flows from 
inventory, accounts receivable and supplier purchase incentives were offset by improvements in cash flows from accounts 
payable, deferred payroll taxes and restructuring accruals.  The decrease in working capital was driven by the decline in net 
sales primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued secular decline in the paper industry.  The factors driving 
cash flow from operating activities in 2020 were: (i) an $89.7 million decrease in inventories, (ii) a $56.5 million decrease in 
accounts receivable and related party receivable and (iii) net income of $34.2 million.  Net cash used for investing activities 
decreased by $28.3 million as compared to the prior year, due to cash proceeds received from the sale of two properties and 
lower capital expenditures.  The primary use of cash for financing activities during 2020 was $153.2 million to pay outstanding 
revolving loan borrowings under the ABL Facility, a net decrease of $107.3 million compared to the prior year.  Additionally, 
beginning in the second quarter of 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company invested $75.0 million of its 
cash in highly-liquid investments instead of paying down its long-term debt.

2020 Special Financing Activities

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased 383,972 shares of its common stock at a cost of $3.5 

million under its 2020 Share Repurchase Program, which has been suspended since March 27, 2020.  See Part II, Item 5 of this 
report for additional information on the Company's 2020 Share Repurchase Program.  The Company expects to finance any 
future repurchases from a combination of cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities or borrowings under the 
Company's ABL Facility.

During the second quarter of 2020, in conjunction with the amendment of the ABL Facility, the Company incurred and 

paid $3.4 million in new financing fees.  

2020 Special Operating Activities

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company prepaid $8.1 million of restructuring costs for other one-time 

compensation, of which $1.1 million was expensed during the quarter and $7.0 million remained as a component of other 
current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020.  The Company is expected to make another 
payment of approximately $8.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2021.  

Additionally, during the fourth quarter, the Company and the UWWH Stockholder agreed to settle the TRA.  The 

Company paid the UWWH Stockholder a total of $12.0 million in settlement of all past and future liabilities that would have 
been owed under the TRA and the parties agreed to a mutual release of claims under the TRA.  In response to the COVID-19 
pandemic, the Company deferred the payment of $19.1 million in payroll taxes incurred through December 31, 2020, as 
provided by the CARES Act, until 2021 and 2022.

2019 Cash Flows

The Company ended 2019 with $38.0 million in cash, a decrease of $26.3 million over the prior year-end balance. 

Cash flow from operations was $281.0 million in 2019 compared with $15.0 million in 2018.  The improvement in cash flow 
from operations was primarily due to a decrease in working capital, driven by the decline in net sales and management's focus 
on working capital improvement.  The factors driving cash flow from operating activities in 2019 were: (i) a $252.3 million 
decrease in accounts receivable and related party receivable, (ii) a $139.7 million decrease in inventories and (iii) a $37.1 
million decrease in other current assets.  The increase in cash from operating activities was partially offset by: (i) a net loss, (ii) 
a $199.7 million decrease in accounts payable and related party payable and (iii) a $22.4 million decrease in other accrued 
liabilities.  The primary uses of cash during 2019 were: (i) $260.5 million from a net decrease in revolving loan borrowings 
under the ABL Facility, (ii) $34.1 million for property and equipment additions, of which $22.7 million were ordinary capital 
expenditures and $11.4 million were integration-related capital expenditures and (iii) $20.0 million for payments under other 
contingent consideration.

39

For information regarding the Company's cash flows for 2018, refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section 

of  Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Funding and Liquidity Strategy

On April 9, 2020, the Company amended its ABL Facility to extend the maturity date to April 9, 2025, reduced the 
aggregate commitments from $1.4 billion to $1.1 billion and adjusted the pricing grid for applicable interest rates.  All other 
significant terms remained substantially the same.

The ABL Facility is comprised of U.S. and Canadian sub-facilities of $1.1 billion and $150.0 million, respectively.  

The ABL Facility is available to be drawn in U.S. dollars, in the case of the U.S. sub-facilities, and in U.S. dollars or Canadian 
dollars, in the case of the Canadian sub-facilities, or in other currencies that are mutually agreeable.

The ABL Facility provides for the right of the individual lenders to extend the maturity date of their respective 

commitments and loans upon the request of Veritiv and without the consent of any other lenders.  The ABL Facility may be 
prepaid at Veritiv's option at any time without premium or penalty and is subject to mandatory prepayment if the amount 
outstanding under the ABL Facility exceeds either the aggregate commitments with respect thereto or the current borrowing 
base, in an amount equal to such excess.  In conjunction with the amendment of the ABL Facility in 2020, the Company 
incurred and deferred $3.4 million in new financing costs, which are reflected in other non-current assets in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets, and will be amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the amended term of the ABL Facility.

Availability under the ABL Facility is determined based upon a monthly borrowing base calculation which includes 
eligible customer receivables and inventory, less outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and certain designated reserves.  As 
of December 31, 2020, the available additional borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility was approximately $341.9 million.  
As of December 31, 2020, the Company held $12.1 million in outstanding letters of credit.

The ABL Facility has a springing minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 on a trailing four-
quarter basis, which will be tested only when specified availability is less than limits outlined under the ABL Facility.  At 
December 31, 2020 the above test was not applicable and based on information available as of the date of this report it is not 
expected to be applicable in the next 12 months.

Under the terms of the ABL Facility, interest rates are based upon LIBOR or the prime rate plus a margin rate, or in 
the case of Canada, a banker's acceptance rate or base rate plus a margin rate.  For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 
and 2018, the weighted-average borrowing interest rates were 2.9%, 3.4% and 4.6%, respectively.

Veritiv's ability to fund its capital needs will depend on its ongoing ability to generate cash from operations, 
borrowings under the ABL Facility and funds received from capital market offerings.  If Veritiv's cash flows from operating 
activities are lower than expected, the Company will need to borrow under the ABL Facility and may need to incur additional 
debt or issue additional equity.  Although management believes that the arrangements currently in place will permit Veritiv to 
finance its operations on acceptable terms and conditions, the Company's access to, and the availability of, financing on 
acceptable terms and conditions in the future will be impacted by many factors, including the liquidity of the overall capital 
markets and the current state of the economy.  To preserve liquidity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company 
may invest a portion of its cash in highly-liquid investments with original maturities to the Company of three months or less 
that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash.  As of December 31, 2020, the Company held $75.0 million in these 
cash equivalents.  The Company also elected to defer the payment of $19.1 million in payroll taxes incurred through December 
31, 2020, as provided by the CARES Act, until 2021 and 2022.

Veritiv's management expects that the Company's primary future cash needs will be for working capital, capital 
expenditures, contractual commitments, share repurchases and strategic investments.  The Company estimates it will incur total 
restructuring charges of between $77 million and $101 million in connection with the 2020 Restructuring Plan.  In addition, 
Veritiv expects to incur approximately $4 million of inventory related costs to be reported in cost of products sold.  
Management expects that cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities and the available capacity under the ABL Facility 
will provide sufficient funds to operate the business and meet other liquidity needs. 

All of the cash held by Veritiv's non-U.S. subsidiaries is available for general corporate purposes.  Veritiv considers 
the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be permanently invested outside the U.S. on the basis of estimates that future 
domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and management's specific plans for 

40

 
  
reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings.  The table below summarizes the Company's cash and cash equivalent positions as of 
December 31, 2020 and 2019:

(in millions)

Cash and cash equivalents held in the U.S.

Cash held in foreign subsidiaries

Total Cash and cash equivalents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31,

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

101.0 

$ 

19.6 

120.6 

$ 

23.3 

14.7 

38.0 

Veritiv does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2020, other than leases that have not yet 

commenced and the letters of credit under the ABL Facility (see Note 3 and Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements, respectively, for additional information on these items).  The Company does not have any off-balance sheet 
arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, revenues or 
expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Overview of Contractual Obligations 

The table below summarizes the Company's contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020:

(in millions)
Finance lease obligations (1)
Operating lease obligations (2)
ABL Facility (3)
Deferred compensation (4)
MEPP withdrawal obligations (5)
Total

Payment Due by Period

2021

2022 – 2023

2024 – 2025

After 2025

Total

$ 

16.0  $ 

28.7  $ 

22.0  $ 

27.7  $ 

98.3 

15.0 

4.2 

1.8 

146.5 

30.0 

6.7 

3.5 

95.4 

540.6 

3.8 

3.5 

111.4 

— 

4.6 

22.1 

94.4 

451.6 

585.6 

19.3 

30.9 

$  135.3  $ 

215.4  $ 

665.3  $ 

165.8  $  1,181.8 

(1) Finance lease obligations include amounts classified as interest.
(2) Amounts shown exclude contractual sublease rental income as it is not significant.  In addition to the amounts shown in the table above, at December 31, 
2020, the Company had committed to future obligations of approximately $10.2 million for a real estate operating lease that had not yet commenced. 
(3) The ABL Facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate after April 9, 2025.  Interest payments included here were estimated using a
    simple interest method based on the year-end December 31, 2020 ABL Facility outstanding balance of $520.2 million and its corresponding year-end  
    weighted-average interest rate of 2.9%.  The 2025 payment amount shown above includes an estimated $520.2 million of principal balance.
(4) The deferred compensation obligation reflects gross cash payment amounts due for scheduled payments under the legacy Unisource plan and the Veritiv
     Deferred Compensation Savings Plan.
(5) The MEPP withdrawal obligations include final gross unpaid charges for four withdrawals where determinations have been issued.

The table above does not include future expected Company contributions to its pension plans nor does it include future 

expected payments related to the partial and subsequent full withdrawal from the Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and 
Employers Pension Fund MEPP.  Final charges for MEPP withdrawals are not known until the plans issue their respective 
determinations.  As a result, these estimates may increase or decrease depending upon the final determination.  As of December 
31, 2020,  the Company has not yet received the determination letters for the partial and subsequent full withdrawal from the 
Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund.  The Company expects that payments will occur over an 
approximate 20-year period, which could run consecutively.  See Note 9, for additional information regarding these 
transactions.  The table above also excludes the liability for uncertain tax positions, cash-based long-term incentive plans and 
unscheduled portions of the Veritiv Deferred Compensation Savings Plan, as the Company cannot predict with reasonable 
certainty the timing of future cash outflows associated with these liabilities. 

See Note 3, Note 6, and Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to 

these obligations.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to establish accounting 

policies and utilize estimates that affect both the amounts and timing of the recording of assets, liabilities, net sales and 

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
expenses.  Some of these estimates require judgment about matters that are inherently uncertain.  Different amounts would be 
reported under different operating conditions or under alternative assumptions.  

The Company has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying Consolidated 
Financial Statements and related Notes and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate.  Management believes that 
the accounting estimates discussed below are the most critical accounting policies whose application may have a significant 
effect on the reported results of operations and financial position of the Company and can require judgments by management 
that affect their application.  Although these estimates are based on management's knowledge of current events and actions it 
may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions, particularly in light of 
the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the domestic and global economies.  Estimates are revised as additional information 
becomes available.  See the "Use of Estimates" section of  Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
additional information regarding the Company's estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Veritiv applies the five-step model to assess its contracts with customers.  The Company's revenue is reported as net 

sales and is measured as the determinable transaction price, net of any variable consideration (e.g., sales incentives and rights to 
return product) and any taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities.  When the Company enters 
into a sales arrangement with a customer, it believes it is probable that it will collect substantially all of the consideration to 
which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer.  When management 
cannot conclude collectability is probable for shipments to a particular customer, revenue associated with that customer is not 
recognized until cash is collected or management is otherwise able to establish that collectability is probable.  The Company 
has established credit and collection processes whereby collection assessments are performed and expected credit losses are 
recognized.  As a normal business practice, Veritiv does not enter into contracts that require more than one year to complete or 
that contain significant financing components.

Revenue generally consists of a single performance obligation to transfer a promised good or service and is short-term 
in nature.  Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to Veritiv's customers and in 
an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services.  Sales 
transactions with customers are designated free on board destination and revenue is recorded at the point in time when the 
product is delivered to the customer's designated location or when the customer has otherwise obtained the benefit of the goods, 
when title and risk of loss are transferred.  Revenues from Veritiv's transportation services are recognized upon completion of 
the related delivery services and revenues from warehousing services are recognized over time as the storage services are 
provided.  The Company considers handling and delivery as activities to fulfill its performance obligations.  Billings for third-
party freight are accounted for as net sales and handling and delivery costs are accounted for as distribution expenses.  

Certain revenues are derived from shipments which are made directly from a manufacturer to a Veritiv customer.  The 

Company is considered to be a principal to these transactions because, among other factors, it maintains control of the goods 
after they leave the supplier and before they are received at the customer's location, in most cases it selects the supplier and sets 
the price to the customer, and it bears the risk of the customer defaulting on payment or rejecting the goods.  Revenues from 
these sales are reported on a gross basis on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and have historically represented 
approximately 35% of Veritiv's total net sales.  

Additionally, Veritiv enters into incentive programs with certain of its customers, which are generally based on sales to 

those same customers.  Veritiv follows the expected value method when estimating its retrospective incentives and records the 
estimated amount as a reduction to gross sales when revenue is recognized.  Estimates of the variable consideration are based 
primarily on contract terms, current customer forecasts as well as historical experience.  

Customer product returns are estimated based on historical experience and the identification of specific events 
necessitating an adjustment.  The estimated return value is recognized as a reduction of gross sales and related cost of products 
sold.  The estimated inventory returns value is recognized as part of inventories, while the estimated customer refund liability is 
recognized as part of other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

A customer contract liability will arise when Veritiv has received payment for goods and services, but has not yet 

transferred the items to a customer and satisfied its performance obligations.  Veritiv records a customer contract liability for 
performance obligations outstanding related to payments received in advance for customer deposits on equipment sales and 
other sale arrangements requiring prepayment.  Veritiv expects to satisfy these remaining performance obligations and 

42

recognize the related revenues upon delivery of the goods and services to the customer's designated location within 12 months 
following receipt of the payment.  Most equipment sales deposits are held for approximately 90 days and other sale 
arrangements requiring prepayment initially cover a 60-90 day period, but can be renewed by the customer.

See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's 

revenues.

Integration and Acquisition Expenses

The Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations include a line item titled, "Integration and acquisition 
expenses".  Integration and acquisition expenses is not a defined term in U.S. GAAP, thus management must use judgment in 
determining whether a particular expense should be classified as an integration and acquisition expense.  Management believes 
its accounting policy for integration and acquisition expenses is critical because these costs have been significant, generally 
involve cash expenditures, are not defined in U.S. GAAP, are excluded in determining compliance with the ABL Facility and 
are excluded in determining management compensation.  

Integration and acquisition expenses include internally dedicated integration management resources, retention 

compensation, information technology conversion costs, professional services and other costs to integrate its businesses.  See 
Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a breakdown of these expenses.  Integration and acquisition 
expenses are differentiated from restructuring charges as restructuring charges primarily relate to contract termination costs, 
involuntary termination benefits and other direct costs associated with consolidating facilities and reorganizing functions.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company's allowance for credit losses reflects the best estimate of expected losses to the Company's accounts 

receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts 
and specific allowances for known troubled accounts.  In addition to leveraging the internally developed risk ratings and 
historical experience, the expected credit loss estimates are developed using quantitative analyses, where meaningful, and 
qualitative analyses to forecast the impact that external factors and economic indicators may have on the amount that the 
Company expects to collect.  The allowances contain uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make 
assumptions and apply judgment regarding the customer's credit worthiness.  Veritiv performs ongoing evaluations of its 
customers' financial condition and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer's current credit worthiness 
as determined by its review of their current financial information.  The Company continuously monitors collections from its 
customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon the customers' financial condition, collection 
experience and any other relevant customer specific information.  Veritiv's assessment of this and other information forms the 
basis of its allowances.

If the financial condition of Veritiv's customers deteriorates, resulting in an inability to make required payments to the 

Company, or if economic conditions deteriorate, additional allowances may be deemed appropriate or required.  If the 
allowance for doubtful accounts changed by 0.1% of gross billed receivables, reflecting either an increase or decrease in 
expected future write-offs, the impact to consolidated pre-tax income would have been approximately $0.9 million.

See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's 

credit losses.

Income Taxes

The Company’s determination of the provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and 

the interpretation and application of complex tax laws.  The provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of 
income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as foreign, jurisdictions.  Tax law changes, increases or 
decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation 
allowances, and the change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.  The 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may change the mix of earnings by jurisdiction and has increased the risk that operating 
losses may occur within certain jurisdictions that could lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred 
tax assets in the future, if these losses are prolonged beyond current expectations.  This would negatively impact Veritiv’s 

43

income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Employee Benefit Plans

Veritiv sponsors defined benefit plans and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans in the U.S. and Canada.  These 
plans were frozen prior to the Merger with the exception of employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.  
See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these plans.  

Management is required to make certain critical estimates related to actuarial assumptions used to determine the 

Company's pension expense and related obligation.  The Company believes the most critical assumptions are related to (i) the 
discount rate used to determine the present value of the liabilities and (ii) the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.  
All of the actuarial assumptions are reviewed annually, or more frequently when changes in circumstances warrant a 
reassessment.  Changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the measurement of pension expense and the 
related obligation.

At each measurement date, management determines the discount rate by reference to rates of high-quality, long-term 

corporate bonds that mature in a pattern similar to the future payments anticipated to be made under the plans.  As of December 
31, 2020, the weighted-average discount rates used to compute the benefit obligations were 2.15% and 2.50% for the U.S. and 
Canadian plans, respectively.  

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based upon the long-term outlook of the investment strategy as 
well as historical returns and volatilities for each asset class.  Veritiv also reviews current levels of interest rates and inflation to 
assess the reasonableness of the long-term rates.  The Company's pension plan investment objective is to ensure all of its plans 
have sufficient funds to meet their benefit obligations when they become due.  As a result, the Company periodically revises 
asset allocations, where appropriate, to improve returns and manage risk.  The weighted-average expected long-term rates of 
return used to calculate the pension expense for the year ended 2020 were 7.15% and 5.25% for the U.S. and Canadian plans, 
respectively.

The following illustrates the effects of a 1% change in the discount rate or return on plan assets on the 2020 net 

periodic pension cost and projected benefit obligation (in millions):

Assumption

Discount rate

Return on plan assets

Change

1% increase

1% decrease

1% increase

1% decrease

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Projected Benefit 
Obligation

$ 

0.4  $ 

0.5 

(1.3) 

1.2 

(20.6) 

25.9 

N/A

N/A

See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a comprehensive discussion of Veritiv's pension and 

postretirement benefit expense, including a discussion of the actuarial assumptions, the policy for recognizing the associated 
gains and losses and the method used to estimate service and interest cost components.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at lease inception and reviews lease arrangements for finance or 

operating lease classification at their commencement date.  Operating leases are reported as part of other non-current assets, 
other accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Finance leases are reported as part 
of property and equipment and debt obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company does not include leases 
with a term of twelve months or less on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In order to value the right-of-use ("ROU") assets and 
related liabilities, the Company makes certain estimates and assumptions related to establishing the lease term, discount rates 
and variable lease payments (e.g., rent escalations tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index).  The exercise of any lease 
renewal or asset purchase option is at the Company's sole discretion.  The lease term for all of the Company's leases includes 
the noncancelable period of the lease and any periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain to 
exercise.  Certain leases include rent escalations pre-set in the agreements, which are factored into the lease payment stream.  
Similar to a variable lease payment, certain delivery equipment leases include a provision for an amount the Company may be 
required to pay at the end of the lease for any residual value deficiency incurred by the lessor upon resale of the underlying 

44

 
 
 
 
asset.  The Company uses the implicit rate of interest when it is available; however, as most of the Company's leases do not 
provide an implicit rate of interest, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the lease 
commencement date in determining the discounted value of the lease payments.  Lease expense and depreciation expense are 
recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, or for a finance lease, over the shorter of the life of the underlying asset 
or the lease term.

The Company’s decisions to cease operations in certain warehouse facilities and retail locations leads to different 

accounting treatment depending upon whether the leased properties are considered abandoned versus properties that the 
Company has the intent and ability to sublease.  Abandoned ROU assets are assessed for impairment based on estimates of 
undiscounted operating cash flows until the anticipated cease-use date and any remaining lease expense is accelerated through 
the anticipated cease-use date.  Leases for which the Company has the intent and ability to sublease are assessed for impairment 
and any remaining ROU assets are amortized over the shorter of the remaining useful lives of the assets or lease term.  The 
intent and practical ability to sublease and estimates of future cash flows attributable to the sublease are assessed considering 
the terms of the lease agreement, certain market conditions, remaining lease terms and the time required to sublease the facility, 
and other factors.

See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's 

leases.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

A long-lived asset is potentially impaired when the asset's carrying amount exceeds its expected future undiscounted 

cash flows.  When this situation occurs, the Company must estimate the fair value of the long-lived asset and reduce the 
carrying amount to the fair value if it is less than the carrying amount.  A goodwill impairment exists when the carrying amount 
of goodwill exceeds its fair value.  Assessments of possible impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill are made annually in 
the fourth quarter, and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be 
recoverable through future operations.  The amount and timing of any impairment charges based on these assessments require 
the estimation of future cash flows and the fair market value of the related assets based on management's best estimates of 
certain key factors.  These key factors include future selling prices and volumes, operating, inventory, energy and freight costs 
and various other projected operating economic factors.  The calculation of lease impairment charges requires significant 
judgments and estimates, including estimated sublease rentals, discount rates and future cash flows based on the Company's 
experience and knowledge of the market in which the property is located, previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and an 
assessment of current market conditions.  As these key factors change in future periods, the Company will update its 
impairment analyses to reflect the latest estimates and projections.

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment on a reporting unit basis.  The testing of goodwill for possible impairment is 

performed by completing a Step 0 test or electing to by-pass the Step 0 test and comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with 
its carrying value, including goodwill.  The Step 0 test utilizes qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not 
that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value.  Qualitative factors include: macroeconomic conditions; 
industry and market considerations; overall financial performance and cost factors to determine whether a reporting unit is at 
risk for goodwill impairment.  In the event a reporting unit fails the Step 0 goodwill impairment test, it is necessary to move 
forward with a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill.  If the fair value 
exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not considered to be impaired.  If the fair value of a reporting unit is below the carrying 
value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's 
fair value; however, any loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.  In 
calculating the estimated fair value of its reporting units, Veritiv uses an income approach that utilizes discounted cash flows 
and requires management to make significant assumptions and estimates related to the forecasts of future revenues, profit 
margins and discount rates.  Subsequent changes in economic and operating conditions can affect these assumptions and could 
result in additional interim testing and goodwill impairment charges in future periods.  Upon completion, the resulting 
estimated fair values are then analyzed for reasonableness by comparing them to earnings multiples for historic industry 
business transactions and by comparing the sum of the reporting unit fair values to the fair value of the Company as a whole.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value.  The Company's intangible assets may 
include customer relationships, trademarks and trade names and non-compete agreements.  Intangible assets with finite useful 
lives are subsequently amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

45

See Note 1 and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the 

Company's long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting 

standards.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Veritiv is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, primarily related to the 

Canadian dollar, and fuel price changes.  The Company's objective is to identify and understand these risks and implement 
strategies to manage them.  When evaluating potential strategies, Veritiv evaluates the fundamentals of each market and the 
underlying accounting and business implications.  To implement these strategies, the Company may enter into various hedging 
or similar transactions.  The sensitivity analyses presented below do not consider the effect of possible adverse changes in the 
general economy, nor do they consider additional actions the Company may take from time to time in the future to mitigate the 
exposure to these or other market risks.  There can be no assurance that Veritiv will manage or continue to manage any risks in 
the future or that any of its efforts will be successful.

Derivative Instrument

Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest at a variable rate, based on LIBOR or the prime rate, in either case 

plus an applicable margin.  From time to time, Veritiv may use interest rate cap agreements to manage the variable interest rate 
characteristics on a portion of the outstanding debt.  The Company evaluates its outstanding indebtedness, market conditions, 
and the covenants contained in the ABL Facility in order to determine its tolerance for potential increases in interest expense 
that could result from changes in variable interest rates.

Effective September 13, 2019, the Company entered into a new interest rate cap agreement with an expiration date of 
September 13, 2022.  The interest rate cap effectively limits the floating LIBOR-based portion of the interest rate.  The interest 
rate cap covers $350.0 million of the Company's floating-rate debt at 2.75% plus the applicable credit spread.  The Company 
paid $0.6 million for the interest rate cap.  As of December 31, 2020, the interest rate cap had a fair value that was not 
significant.  The fair value was estimated using observable market-based inputs including interest rate curves and implied 
volatilities (Level 2).  The amount expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") into 
earnings within the following 12 months is not significant.  For the year ended December 31, 2020, the amount reclassified 
from AOCL into earnings was not significant.  The Company designated the new interest rate cap as a cash flow hedge of 
exposure to changes in cash flows due to changes in the LIBOR-based portion of the interest rate above 2.75%.  

The Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk for nonperformance and, in the event of nonperformance, to 

market risk for changes in the interest rate.  The Company attempts to manage exposure to counterparty credit risk primarily by 
selecting only counterparties that meet certain credit and other financial standards.  The Company believes there has not been a 
material change in the creditworthiness of its counterparty and believes the risk of nonperformance by such party is minimal.  
For additional information regarding Veritiv's debt arrangements, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Rate Risk

Veritiv's exposure to fluctuations in interest rates results primarily from its borrowings under the ABL Facility.  Under 

the terms of the ABL Facility, interest rates are based upon LIBOR or the prime rate plus a margin rate, or in the case of 
Canada, a banker's acceptance rate or base rate plus a margin rate.  LIBOR based loans can be set for durations of one week, or 
for periods of one to nine months.  The margin rate amount can be adjusted upward or downward based upon usage under the 
line in two increments of 25 basis points.  Veritiv's interest rate exposure under the ABL Facility results from changes in 
LIBOR, bankers' acceptance rates, the prime/base interest rates and actual borrowings.  The weighted-average borrowing 
interest rate at December 31, 2020 was 2.9%.  Based on the average borrowings under the ABL Facility during the year ended 
December 31, 2020, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the interest rate would result in approximately $5.7 million of 
additional interest expense.  

46

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Veritiv conducts business in various foreign currencies and is exposed to earnings and cash flow volatility associated 

with changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  This exposure is primarily related to international assets and liabilities, whose 
value could change materially in reference to the U.S. dollar reporting currency. 

Veritiv's most significant foreign currency exposure primarily relates to fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate 

between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar.  Net sales from Veritiv's Canadian operations for the year ended December 31, 
2020 represented approximately 10% of Veritiv's total net sales.  Veritiv has not used foreign exchange currency options or 
futures agreements to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates.

Fuel Price Risk

Due to the nature of Veritiv's distribution business, the Company is exposed to potential volatility in fuel prices.  The 

cost of fuel affects the price paid for products as well as the costs incurred to deliver products to the Company's customers. The 
price and availability of diesel fuel fluctuates due to changes in production, seasonality and other market factors generally 
outside of the Company's control.  Increased fuel costs may have a negative impact on the Company's results of operations and 
financial condition.  In times of higher fuel prices, Veritiv may have the ability to pass a portion of the increased costs on to 
customers; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so.  Based on Veritiv's 2020 fuel 
consumption, a 10% increase in the average annual price per gallon of diesel fuel would result in a potential increase of 
approximately $1.7 million in annual transportation fuel costs (excluding any amounts recovered from customers).  Veritiv does 
not use derivatives to manage its exposure to fuel prices. 

47

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

49

51

52

53

54

55

56

48

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and Board of Directors of Veritiv Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Veritiv Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as 
of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), 
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes 
(collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material 
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in 
Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission and our report dated March 3, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over 
financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting 
Standards Update 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)", using the modified retrospective approach.

Basis for Opinion 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion 
on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and 
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due 
to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included 
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also 
included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that 
was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that 
are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The 
communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, 
and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or 
on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Goodwill — Refer to Notes 1, 5, and 10 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of the Packaging reporting 
unit to its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of the Packaging reporting unit using an income approach 
that utilizes discounted cash flows and requires management to make significant assumptions and estimates related to the 

49

forecasts of future revenues, profit margins and discount rates. Changes to the assumptions and estimates may result in a 
significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit, which could result in a different assessment of the 
recoverability of goodwill. The goodwill balance was $99.6 million as of December 31, 2020. The fair value of the reporting 
unit exceeded its carrying value as of the measurement date, and therefore, no impairment was recognized.

We identified goodwill for the Packaging reporting unit as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgments made 
by management to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an 
increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and 
assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues and profit margins.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenues and profit margins included the following, among others: 

• We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over the 
determination of the fair value of the Packaging reporting unit, such as controls related to management’s forecasts.
• We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast by comparing actual results to management’s historical 

forecasts. 

• We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to (1) historical revenues 
and profit margins, (2) internal communications to management and the Board of Directors, and (3) forecasted 
industry information included in industry reports relevant to the reporting unit. 

• We considered the impact of changes in the industry on management’s forecasts.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
March 3, 2021

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2013.

50

VERITIV CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)

Net sales (including sales to related party of $19.7, $23.4 and $28.0, 
respectively)

Cost of products sold (including purchases from related party of 
$55.6, $85.2 and $146.5, respectively) (exclusive of depreciation and 
amortization shown separately below)

Distribution expenses

Selling and administrative expenses

Depreciation and amortization

Integration and acquisition expenses

Restructuring charges, net
Operating income (loss)

Interest expense, net

Other (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit)
Net income (loss)

Earnings (loss) per share:

Basic earnings (loss) per share
Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

$ 

6,345.6  $ 

7,659.4  $ 

8,696.2 

5,040.2 

6,206.2 

7,155.7 

429.8 

717.9 

57.7 

— 

52.2 

47.8 

25.1 

(20.3)   

43.0 

8.8 

509.2 

823.3 

53.5 

17.5 

28.8 

20.9 

38.1 

11.6 

(28.8)   

0.7 

34.2  $ 

(29.5)  $ 

550.5 

867.6 

53.5 

31.8 

21.3 

15.8 

42.3 

(16.3) 

(10.2) 

5.5 

(15.7) 

2.14  $ 
2.08  $ 

(1.84)  $ 
(1.84)  $ 

(0.99) 
(0.99) 

15.96 

16.48 

16.06 

16.06 

15.82 

15.82 

$ 

$ 
$ 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VERITIV CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency translation adjustments
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax (1)
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax (1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

$ 

34.2  $ 

(29.5)  $ 

(15.7) 

2.4 

0.1 

(2.9)   

(0.4)   

3.7 

0.0 

3.9 

7.6 

(6.8) 

0.5 

(0.1) 

(6.4) 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

$ 

33.8  $ 

(21.9)  $ 

(22.1) 

(1) Amounts shown are net of tax impacts, which were not significant for the periods presented.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VERITIV CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except par value)

December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $41.6 and $43.8, respectively
Related party receivable
Inventories
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of 
$375.9 and $342.6, respectively)
Goodwill
Other intangibles, net
Deferred income tax assets
Other non-current assets
Total assets

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Related party payable
Accrued payroll and benefits
Other accrued liabilities
Current portion of debt
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current portion
Defined benefit pension obligations
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' equity:

$ 

$ 

$ 

120.6  $ 
849.5 
— 
465.4 
119.5 
1,555.0 

194.7 
99.6 
47.4 
60.0 
378.3 
2,335.0  $ 

471.9  $ 
— 
80.6 
182.2 
14.7 
749.4 
589.1 
18.2 
395.2 
1,751.9 

38.0 
910.8 
2.8 
552.9 
126.1 
1,630.6 

216.9 
99.6 
52.2 
57.0 
454.8 
2,511.1 

476.9 
4.3 
53.9 
183.8 
12.6 
731.5 
742.4 
15.7 
485.3 
1,974.9 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10.0 million shares authorized, none issued  

— 

— 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100.0 million shares authorized; shares 
issued - 16.6 million and 16.4 million, respectively; shares outstanding - 
15.9 million and 16.1 million, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated earnings (deficit)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Treasury stock at cost - 0.7 million shares in 2020 and 0.3 million shares in 
2019

Total shareholders' equity

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 

0.2 
634.9 

(1.4)   
(33.5)   

(17.1)   
583.1 
2,335.0  $ 

0.2 
618.0 
(35.3) 
(33.1) 

(13.6) 
536.2 
2,511.1 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VERITIV CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in millions)

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2018

2020

Operating activities

Net income (loss)
Depreciation and amortization

Amortization and write-off of deferred financing fees

Net losses (gains) on dispositions of property and equipment

Long-lived asset impairment charges
Provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts, respectively
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

Stock-based compensation

Other non-cash items, net

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Accounts receivable and related party receivable
Inventories
Other current assets
Accounts payable and related party payable

Accrued payroll and benefits

Other accrued liabilities
Other

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

Investing activities

Property and equipment additions

Proceeds from asset sales

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

Financing activities

Change in book overdrafts

Borrowings of long-term debt

Repayments of long-term debt

Payments under right-of-use finance leases and capital leases, respectively

Payments under financing obligations (including obligations to related party of 
$0.0, $0.0 and $8.6, respectively)

Deferred financing fees
Purchase of treasury stock
Payments under Tax Receivable Agreement

Payments under other contingent consideration

Other

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Supplemental cash flow information

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

Cash paid for interest

Non-cash investing and financing activities

$ 

34.2  $ 
57.7 

(29.5)  $ 
53.5 

2.1 

(8.2) 

0.5 
12.4 
(1.8) 

17.7 

(12.4) 

56.5 
89.7 
(3.2) 
5.5 

17.1 

(1.0) 
22.4 

289.2 

(23.6) 

18.3 

(5.3) 

2.6 

0.6 

— 
14.9 
(2.7) 

14.6 

11.9 

252.3 
139.7 
37.1 
(199.7) 

(2.9) 

(22.4) 
11.0 

281.0 

(34.1) 

0.5 

(33.6) 

(15.7) 
53.5 

2.6 

(18.5) 

0.4 
27.1 
2.0 

18.1 

(8.3) 

(43.9) 
26.4 
(23.2) 
(15.9) 

(16.6) 

17.2 
9.8 

15.0 

(45.4) 

23.7 

(21.7) 

(16.6) 

5,566.0 

26.2 

6,746.5 

(16.2) 

5,805.3 

(5,719.2) 

(7,007.0) 

(5,767.3) 

(13.0) 

— 

(3.4) 
(3.5) 
(12.3) 

— 

(0.6) 

(202.6) 

1.3 

82.6 

38.0 

(9.1) 

— 

— 
— 
(7.8) 

(20.0) 

(2.7) 

(273.9) 

0.2 

(26.3) 

64.3 

$ 

$ 

120.6  $ 

38.0  $ 

7.8  $ 

4.8  $ 

22.0 

34.7 

(6.7) 

(9.3) 

— 
— 
(9.9) 

(2.5) 

(2.1) 

(8.7) 

(0.6) 

(16.0) 

80.3 

64.3 

2.4 

38.9 

31.5 

— 

Non-cash additions to property and equipment for right-of-use finance leases and 
capital leases, respectively

$ 

14.8  $ 

22.3  $ 

Non-cash additions to other non-current assets for right-of-use operating leases

20.1 

129.3 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VERITIV CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
(in millions)

Common Stock 
Issued

Shares Amount

Additional 
Paid-in 
Capital

Accumulated 
Earnings 
(Deficit)

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Loss

Treasury Stock

Shares Amount

Total

Balance at December 31, 
2017
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive 
income (loss)
Stock-based 
compensation

Issuance of common 
stock, net of stock 
received for minimum tax 
withholdings

Tax impact of adoption of 
Accounting Standards 
Update 2018-02
Balance at December 31, 
2018
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive 
income (loss)
Stock-based 
compensation
Issuance of common 
stock, net of stock 
received for minimum tax 
withholdings

Adoption impact - 
Accounting Standards 
Update 2016-02
Balance at December 31, 
2019
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive 
income (loss)
Stock-based 
compensation
Issuance of common 
stock, net of stock 
received for minimum tax 
withholdings
Adoption impact - 
Accounting Standards 
Update 2016-13

Treasury stock
Balance at December 31, 
2020

  16.0  $ 

0.2  $ 

590.2  $ 

6.4  $ 

(33.5) 

(0.3)  $ 

(13.6)  $ 

(15.7) 

(6.4) 

18.1 

0.2   

0.0 

(2.6) 

0.8 

(0.8) 

  16.2  $ 

0.2  $ 

605.7  $ 

(8.5)  $ 
(29.5) 

(40.7) 

(0.3)  $ 

(13.6)  $ 

7.6 

14.6 

0.2   

0.0 

(2.3) 

  16.4  $ 

0.2  $ 

618.0  $ 

17.7 

0.2   

0.0 

(0.8) 

2.7 

(35.3)  $ 
34.2 

(33.1) 

(0.3)  $ 

(13.6)  $ 

(0.4) 

(0.3) 

(0.4)   

(3.5) 

549.7 
(15.7) 

(6.4) 

18.1 

(2.6) 

0.0 

543.1 
(29.5) 

7.6 

14.6 

(2.3) 

2.7 

536.2 
34.2 

(0.4) 

17.7 

(0.8) 

(0.3) 

(3.5) 

  16.6  $ 

0.2  $ 

634.9  $ 

(1.4)  $ 

(33.5) 

(0.7)  $ 

(17.1)  $ 

583.1 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VERITIV CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Description of Business

Veritiv Corporation ("Veritiv" or the "Company") is a North American business-to-business full-service provider of 

value-added packaging products and services, as well as facility solutions, print and publishing products and services.  
Additionally, Veritiv provides logistics and supply chain management solutions to its customers.  Veritiv was established on 
July 1, 2014 (the "Distribution Date"), following the merger (the "Merger") of International Paper Company's ("International 
Paper") xpedx distribution solutions business ("xpedx") and UWW Holdings, Inc. ("UWWH"), the parent company of 
Unisource Worldwide, Inc. ("Unisource").  On July 2, 2014, Veritiv's common stock began regular-way trading on the New 
York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "VRTV".  Veritiv operates from 125 distribution centers primarily throughout 
the United States ("U.S."), Canada and Mexico.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles 

generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and include all of the Company's subsidiaries.  All 
significant intercompany transactions between Veritiv's businesses have been eliminated.  As a result of adopting Accounting 
Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) on January 1, 2020, using the required 
modified retrospective basis, the accounting for credit losses for periods prior to 2020 has not been revised and results are 
reported in accordance with prior U.S. GAAP.  See the adoption impact in the Recently Issued Accounting Standards section 
of this note.  As a result of adopting ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) on January 1, 2019, applying the additional transition 
approach, which is a prospective approach, the accounting for operating leases for periods prior to 2019 has not been revised 
and results are reported in accordance with prior U.S. GAAP.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and 

assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses and certain financial statement 
disclosures.  Estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition, right-of-use ("ROU") asset and 
liability valuations, accounts and notes receivable valuations, inventory valuation, employee benefit plans, income tax 
contingency accruals and valuation allowances, multi-employer pension plan ("MEPP") withdrawal liabilities, contingency 
accruals and goodwill and other intangible asset valuations.  Although these estimates are based on management's knowledge 
of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and 
assumptions.

Primarily beginning in April 2020, unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact 

on the Company's financial results, including decreased sales activity across all segments.  As a result of the COVID-19 
pandemic, the Company could continue to experience impacts including, but not limited to, charges from potential 
adjustments of the carrying amount of accounts and notes receivables and inventory, asset impairment charges, including 
goodwill, and deferred tax valuation allowances.  The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company's 
business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity and financial condition will depend on future developments.  
These developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, include, but are not limited to, the duration, spread 
and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's employees, customers, 
suppliers and vendors and the remedial actions and stimulus measures adopted by local and federal governments, the 
availability, adoption and effectiveness of a vaccine and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can 
resume and be sustained.  Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, the Company may experience an impact to its 
business as a result of any economic recession, downturn, or volatility that has occurred or may occur in the future.  Estimates 
are revised as additional information becomes available.

56

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

Veritiv applies the five step model to assess its contracts with customers.  The Company's revenue is reported as net 
sales and is measured as the determinable transaction price, net of any variable consideration (e.g., sales incentives and rights 
to return product) and any taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities.  When the Company 
enters into a sales arrangement with a customer, it believes it is probable that it will collect substantially all of the 
consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer.  When 
management cannot conclude collectability is probable for shipments to a particular customer, revenue associated with that 
customer is not recognized until cash is collected or management is otherwise able to establish that collectability is probable.  
As a normal business practice, Veritiv does not enter into contracts that require more than one year to complete or that 
contain significant financing components.  See Note 2, Revenue Recognition, for additional information regarding the 
Company's revenue recognition practices.

Purchase Incentives

Veritiv enters into agreements with suppliers that entitle Veritiv to receive rebates, allowances and other discounts 
based on the attainment of specified purchasing levels or sales to certain customers.  Purchase incentives are recorded as a 
reduction to inventory and recognized in cost of products sold when the sale occurs.  During the year ended December 31, 
2020, approximately 30% of the Company's purchases were made from ten suppliers.

Distribution Expenses

Distribution expenses consist of storage, handling and delivery costs including freight to the Company's customers' 

destinations.  Handling and delivery costs were $273.6 million, $346.9 million and $398.0 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Integration and Acquisition Expenses

Integration and acquisition expenses are expensed as incurred.  Integration and acquisition expenses include 

internally dedicated integration management resources, retention compensation, information technology conversion costs, 
professional services and other costs to integrate its businesses.  See Note 4, Restructuring, Integration and Acquisition 
Charges, for additional information regarding the Company's integration and acquisition activities. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid, unrestricted investments with original maturities to the Company of three 
months or less to be cash equivalents, including investments in money market funds with no restrictions on withdrawals.  As 
of December 31, 2020, the Company's cash and cash equivalents included a $75.0 million investment in a money market fund 
that is highly liquid and qualifies as a cash equivalent.

Trade Accounts Receivable, Notes Receivable and Related Allowances

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) on January 1, 2020, using 

the required modified retrospective approach. Accordingly, prior periods have not been adjusted to conform to the new 
guidance.  Upon adoption, the Company recorded a $0.3 million decrease to retained earnings as the cumulative effect 
adjustment from applying the standard.

Under Topic 326  

The Company performs an assessment of its financial assets which consist primarily of accounts receivable and 

identifies pools (i.e., groups of similar assets within the accounts receivable portfolio) based on the Company’s internal risk 
ratings, geographical locations and historical loss information.  The Company’s pools are classified by reportable segment, 
risk level and the geographical location of the Company’s customers.  The risk characteristics of each segment are 
determined by the impact of economic and structural fluctuations that are specific to the industry sectors served by the 
Company, competition from other suppliers and the nature of the products and services provided to the Company’s 

57

customers.  The Print and Publishing segments are faced with industry-wide decreases in demand for products and services 
due to the increasing use of e-commerce and other on-line product substitutions.  The risk characteristics of the Facility 
Solutions segment include revenue declines and delinquency rates attributable to changes in the travel industry and back-to-
school activities.  The risk characteristics of the Packaging segment include changes in customer buying habits and product 
preferences.  The Company considered the Packaging and Facility Solutions segments to be a single pool as they share 
similar risk characteristics.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses reflects the best estimate of expected losses to the Company's accounts 

receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts 
and specific allowances for known troubled accounts.  In developing the allowance for credit losses, the Company utilizes 
internal risk ratings that are determined based on a number of factors including a periodic evaluation of each customer’s 
financial condition where possible.  In addition to leveraging the internally developed risk ratings and historical experience, 
the expected credit loss estimates are developed using quantitative analyses, where meaningful, and qualitative analyses to 
forecast the impact that external factors and economic indicators may have on the amount that the Company expects to 
collect.

Under prior guidance

Accounts receivable are recognized net of allowances.  The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the best 

estimate of losses inherent in the Company's accounts receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, 
specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other available evidence.  

Additional accounts and notes receivable information:

The components of the accounts receivable allowances were as follows:

(in millions)

Allowance for credit losses and doubtful accounts, respectively
Other allowances (1)
Total accounts receivable allowances
(1)

 Includes amounts reserved for credit memos, customer discounts, customer short pays and other miscellaneous items.

As of December 31,

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

31.4  $ 

10.2 

41.6  $ 

30.4 

13.4 

43.8 

Below is a rollforward of the Company's accounts receivable allowances for the years ended December 31, 2020, 

2019 and 2018.  Accounts receivable are written-off when management determines they are uncollectible.

(in millions)

Balance at January 1,

Add / (Deduct):

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

$ 

43.8  $ 

62.0  $ 

44.0 

Provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts, 
respectively

7.3 

13.8 

26.5 

Net write-offs and recoveries
Other adjustments(1)
Balance at December 31,
(1)  Other adjustments represent amounts reserved for returns and discounts, foreign currency translation adjustments and reserves for certain customer
     accounts where revenue is not recognized because collectability is not probable, and may include accounts receivable allowances recorded in connection
     with acquisitions.  The 2020 amount includes the impact of the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020.

41.6  $ 

43.8  $ 

(29.5)   

(6.5)   

(3.0)   

(2.5)   

62.0 

$ 

(6.3) 

(2.2) 

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below is a rollforward of the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Packaging and 

Facility Solutions Print - High Risk

Print - Medium/
Low Risk

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Publish
ing(1)

Rest of 
world

Corporate 
& Other(1)

Total

$  13.3  $  1.0  $  11.9  $  0.4  $  0.9  $  0.1  $  1.3  $  0.6  $ 

0.9  $  30.4 

1.0

2.8

(0.3)

(0.2)

0.1

2.3

0.0

0.3

0.1

0.1

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.0

1.3

(3.0)

(0.3)

(2.4)

0.0

(0.1)

— (0.9)

0.3

—

—

0.0

0.0

(1.4)

0.0

0.0

0.0

1.2

—

0.0

0.0

—

—

0.4

—

—

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.4

7.3

(0.1)

(6.8)

0.0

0.3

— (0.2)

$  14.4  $  0.5  $  10.2  $  0.7  $  2.2  $  0.0  $  1.6  $  1.0  $ 

0.8  $  31.4 

(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 
2019
Add / (Deduct):

Adoption impact - ASU 
2016-13
Provision for expected 
credit losses
Write-offs charged 
against the allowance

Recoveries of amounts 
previously written off
Other adjustments(2)
Balance at December 31, 
2020
 (1)

Publishing and Corporate & Other have only U.S. Operations.

(2)

Other adjustments represent amounts reserved for foreign currency translation adjustments and reserves for certain customer accounts where revenue is 
not recognized because collectability is not probable, and may include accounts receivable allowances recorded in connection with acquisitions.

The Company has, under certain circumstances, entered into a note receivable agreement with a customer.  Expected 

credit losses are recognized when collectability is uncertain; these losses are included in selling and administrative expenses 
on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company 
recognized $5.1 million, $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in the provision for credit losses related to these notes 
receivable.  At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company held $2.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, in notes 
receivable within other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Inventories 

The Company's inventories are primarily comprised of finished goods and predominantly valued at cost as 

determined by the last-in first-out ("LIFO") method.  Such valuations are not in excess of market.  Elements of cost in 
inventories include the purchase price invoiced by a supplier, plus inbound freight and related costs and reduced by estimated 
volume-based discounts and early pay discounts available from certain suppliers.  Approximately 76% and 81% of 
inventories were valued using the LIFO method as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  If the first-in, first-out 
method had been used, total inventory balances would be increased by approximately $93.2 million and $93.8 million at 
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company reduces the value of obsolete inventory based on the difference between the LIFO cost of the 

inventory and the estimated market value using assumptions of future demand and market conditions.  To estimate the net 
realizable value, the Company considers factors such as the age of the inventory, the nature of the products, the quantity of 
items on-hand relative to sales trends, current market prices and trends in pricing, its ability to use excess supply in another 
channel, historical write-offs and expected residual values or other recoveries.

Veritiv maintains some of its inventory on a consignment basis in which the inventory is physically located at the 

customer's premises or a third-party distribution center.  Veritiv had $20.5 million and $30.7 million of consigned inventory 
as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, valued on a LIFO basis, net of reserves. 

59

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Expenditures for 

replacements and major improvements are capitalized, whereas repair and maintenance costs that do not improve service 
potential or extend economic life are expensed as incurred.  The Company capitalizes certain computer software and 
development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use.  Costs related to the 
development of internal use software, other than those incurred during the application development stage, are expensed as 
incurred.

The components of property and equipment were as follows: 

(in millions)

Land, buildings and improvements

Machinery and equipment

Finance leases

Internal use software

Construction-in-progress

As of December 31,

2020

2019

$ 

100.7  $ 

164.9 

111.8 

188.6 

4.6 

(375.9)   

194.7  $ 

96.4 

167.9 

99.5 

178.5 

17.2 

(342.6) 

216.9 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization)

$ 

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Land is not 
depreciated, and construction-in-progress ("CIP") is not depreciated until ready for service.  Leased property and leasehold 
improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term or useful life of the asset, whichever is less. 

Depreciation and amortization for property and equipment, other than land, finance leases and CIP, is based upon 

the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings

Leasehold improvements

Machinery and equipment

Internal use software

40 years

to 20 years

to 15 years

to

5

years

1

3

3

Additional property and equipment information is as follows:

(in millions)
Depreciation expense (1)
Amortization expense - internal use software
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and 
equipment

$ 

$ 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

36.8  $ 

16.1 

33.5  $ 

15.0 

52.9  $ 

48.5  $ 

33.2 

13.4 

46.6 

(1) Includes depreciation expense for finance leases, capital leases and assets related to financing obligations (including financing obligations with related 
party).

(in millions)
Unamortized internal use software costs, including amounts 
recorded in CIP

As of December 31,

2020

2019

$ 

24.6  $ 

32.6 

Upon retirement or other disposal of property and equipment, the cost and related amount of accumulated 

depreciation or accumulated amortization are eliminated from the asset and accumulated depreciation or accumulated 
amortization accounts, respectively.  The difference, if any, between the net asset value and the proceeds is included in net 
income (loss) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at lease inception and reviews lease arrangements for finance 

or operating lease classification at their commencement date.  Operating leases are reported as part of other non-current 
assets, other accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Finance leases are 
reported as part of property and equipment and debt obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company does not 
include leases with a term of twelve months or less on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In order to value the  assets and 
related liabilities, the Company makes certain estimates and assumptions related to establishing the lease term, discount rates 
and variable lease payments (e.g., rent escalations tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI")).  The exercise of any 
lease renewal or asset purchase option is at the Company's sole discretion.  The lease term for all of the Company's leases 
includes the noncancelable period of the lease and any periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably 
certain to exercise.  Certain leases include rent escalations pre-set in the agreements, which are factored into the lease 
payment stream.  Similar to a variable lease payment, certain delivery equipment leases include a provision for an amount the 
Company may be required to pay at the end of the lease for any residual value deficiency incurred by the lessor upon resale 
of the underlying asset.  The Company uses the implicit rate of interest when it is available; however, as most of the 
Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate of interest, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on 
information available at the lease commencement date in determining the discounted value of the lease payments.  Lease 
expense and depreciation expense are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, or for a finance lease, over the 
shorter of the life of the underlying asset or the lease term.  The Company’s decisions to cease operations in certain 
warehouse facilities and retail locations leads to different accounting treatment depending upon whether the leased properties 
are considered abandoned versus properties that the Company has the intent and ability to sublease.  See Note 3, Leases, for 
additional information related to the Company's leases.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill relating to a single business reporting unit is included as an asset of the applicable segment.  Goodwill 
arising from major acquisitions that involve multiple reportable segments is allocated to the reporting units based on the 
relative fair value of the reporting unit.  Goodwill is reviewed by Veritiv for impairment on a reporting unit basis annually on 
October 1st or more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist.  The 
testing of goodwill for possible impairment is performed by completing a Step 0 test or electing to by-pass the Step 0 test and 
comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill.  The Step 0 test utilizes qualitative 
factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value.  
Qualitative factors include: macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; overall financial performance 
and cost factors to determine whether a reporting unit is at risk for goodwill impairment.  In the event a reporting unit fails 
the Step 0 goodwill impairment test, it is necessary to move forward with a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit 
with its carrying value, including goodwill.  If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not considered to be 
impaired.  If the fair value of a reporting unit is below the carrying value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the 
amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, any loss recognized will not exceed 
the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value.  The Company's intangible assets 

may include customer relationships, trademarks and trade names and non-compete agreements.  Intangible assets with finite 
useful lives are subsequently amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  See the 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets section below for the accounting policy related to the periodic review of long-lived 
intangible assets for impairment.  

See Note 5, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for additional information related to the Company's goodwill and 

other intangible assets. 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including finite lived intangible assets, are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable.  The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived 
assets based on the undiscounted future cash flow the assets are expected to generate and recognizes an impairment loss when 
the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from 
disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset.  When an impairment is identified, the Company 

61

reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when 
available and appropriate, to comparable market values.  The calculation of lease impairment charges requires significant 
judgments and estimates, including estimated sublease rentals, discount rates and future cash flows based on the Company's 
experience and knowledge of the market in which the property is located, previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and an 
assessment of current market conditions. 

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors and/or contributes to defined contribution plans, defined benefit pension plans and MEPPs 
in the U.S.  Except for certain union employees who continue to accrue benefits under the U.S. defined benefit pension plan 
in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements, as discussed below, the defined benefit pension plans are frozen.  
In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries have various pension plans and other forms of retirement arrangements outside 
the U.S.  See Note 9, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional information related to these plans and arrangements.

The determination of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan obligations and their associated costs requires 

the use of actuarial computations to estimate participant plan benefits to which the employees will be entitled.  The 
Company's significant assumptions in this regard include discount rates, rate of future compensation increases, expected 
long-term rates of return on plan assets, mortality rates and other factors.  Each assumption is developed using relevant 
company experience in conjunction with market-related data in the U.S. and Canada.  All actuarial assumptions are reviewed 
annually with third-party consultants and adjusted as necessary.

For the recognition of net periodic postretirement cost, the calculation of the expected long-term rate of return on 

plan assets is derived using the fair value of plan assets at the measurement date.  Actual results that differ from the 
Company's assumptions are accumulated and amortized on a straight-line basis only to the extent they exceed 10% of the 
higher of the fair value of plan assets or the projected benefit obligation, over the estimated remaining service period of active 
participants.  The fair value of plan assets is determined based on market prices or estimated fair value at the measurement 
date.

The Company also makes contributions to MEPPs for its union employees covered by such plans.  For these plans, 
the Company recognizes a liability only for any required contributions to the plans or surcharges imposed by the plans that 
are accrued and unpaid at the balance sheet date.  The Company does not record an asset or liability to recognize the funded 
status of the plans.  The Company records an estimated undiscounted charge when it becomes probable that it has incurred a 
withdrawal liability, as the final amount and timing is not assured.  When a final determination of the withdrawal liability is 
received from the plan, the estimated charge is adjusted to the final amount determined by the plan.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans

The Company measures and records compensation expense for all long-term incentive compensation awards based 

on the grant date fair values over the vesting periods of the awards.  Forfeitures are recognized when they occur.  See Note 
14, Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans, for additional information.

Income Taxes

Veritiv's income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect 

management's best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid.  Veritiv records its global tax provision based 
on the respective tax rules and regulations for the jurisdictions in which it operates.  Where treatment of a position is 
uncertain, liabilities are recorded based upon an evaluation of the more likely than not outcome considering technical merits 
of the position.  Changes to recorded liabilities are made only when an identifiable event occurs that alters the likely outcome, 
such as settlement with the relevant tax authority or the expiration of statutes of limitation for the subject tax year.  
Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act") was signed into law on December 22, 2017 and makes broad 

and complex changes to the U.S. tax code.  Veritiv recognized provisional estimates of the impact of the Tax Act in the year 
ended December 31, 2017 and as of the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded additional tax expense.  
Although the Company considers these items complete, the determination of the Tax Act's income tax effects may change 
following future legislation or further interpretation of the Tax Act based on the publication of U.S. Treasury regulations and 

62

      
guidance from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and state tax authorities.  Additionally, the Company has concluded the 
applicable accounting policy election associated with Global Intangible Low Tax Income ("GILTI") will be treated as a 
period cost.  See Note 7, Income Taxes, for additional details regarding the Tax Act.

Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will 

not be realized.  Significant judgment is required in evaluating the need for and amount of valuation allowances against 
deferred tax assets.  The realization of these assets is dependent on generating sufficient future taxable income.

While Veritiv believes that these judgments and estimates are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, 

actual resolution of these matters may differ from recorded estimated amounts.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting 
inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable.

Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Observable market-based inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the 

asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability reflecting the reporting entity's own assumptions or external inputs 

from inactive markets.

See Note 10, Fair Value Measurements, for further details.

Foreign Currency

The assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated from their respective local currencies to the U.S. 

dollars at the appropriate spot rates as of the balance sheet date.  Changes in the carrying values of these assets and liabilities 
attributable to fluctuations in spot rates are recognized in foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of 
accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL").  See Note 13, Shareholders' Equity, for the impacts of foreign currency 
translation adjustments on AOCL.  The revenues and expenses of the foreign subsidiaries are translated using the monthly 
average exchange rates during the year.  The gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are included in other (income) 
expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Treasury Stock

Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at cost.  Costs incurred by the Company that are associated with 
the acquisition of treasury stock are treated in a manner similar to stock issue costs and are added to the cost of the treasury 
stock.  See Note 13, Shareholders' Equity, for additional information regarding the Company's treasury stock transactions.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments

The Company holds one interest rate cap agreement which is subject to Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 

815, Derivatives and Hedging.  For those instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, a company 
must designate the instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a cash flow hedge, a fair value hedge or a hedge of 
a net investment in a foreign operation.  A cash flow hedge refers to hedging the exposure to variability in expected future 
cash flows attributable to a particular risk.  For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, 
the gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are reported as a component of 
AOCL in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), 
until reclassified into the same Consolidated Statements of Operations line item in the same period the hedged transaction 
affects earnings.  The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  
See Note 6, Debt and Note 13, Shareholders' Equity, for additional information regarding the Company's derivative 
instrument.

63

                
Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326).  

The standard replaces the previously required incurred loss impairment methodology with guidance that reflects expected 
credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to be considered in 
making credit loss estimates.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 
2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The standard requires application on a modified retrospective basis; 
accordingly, prior periods have not been adjusted to conform to the new guidance.  Upon adoption, the Company recorded a 
$0.3 million decrease to retained earnings as the cumulative effect adjustment from applying the standard.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820).  The standard 

modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by removing certain disclosure requirements related to the 
fair value hierarchy, modifying existing disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty and adding new 
disclosure requirements.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal 
years, beginning after December 15, 2019.  The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and 
weighted-average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative 
description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period 
presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption.  All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods 
presented upon their effective date.  The adoption did not materially impact the Company's financial statement disclosures. 

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use 

Software (Subtopic 350-40).  The standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting 
arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or 
obtain internal-use software.  The amendments in this update also require companies to expense capitalized implementation 
costs over the term of the hosting arrangement, including periods covered by renewal options that are reasonably certain to be 
exercised.  The amendments also stipulate presentation requirements for the Statement of Operations, Balance Sheet and 
Statement of Cash Flows.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, 
and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The amendments in this update should be applied either retrospectively or 
prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption.  The Company adopted this ASU on a 
prospective basis.  Capitalized amounts are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as other non-current assets, pursuant 
to the standard which requires presentation in the same line item that a prepayment of the fees for the associated hosting 
arrangement would be presented.  The related periodic expense is reported as part of operating expenses on the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations and the corresponding cash flow impact is reported as part of operating activities on the 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.  The adoption did not materially impact the Consolidated Financial Statements.  The 
Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its future consolidated financial 
statements and related disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company will adopt ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740).  The standard removes 

certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income 
taxes in interim periods.  The update also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred 
taxes for goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group.  The amendments in this update are effective for 
fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020.  The amendments in this 
update related to separate financial statements of legal entities that are not subject to tax should be applied on a retrospective 
basis for all periods presented.  The amendments related to changes in ownership of foreign equity method investments or 
foreign subsidiaries should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained 
earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  The amendments related to franchise taxes that are partially based 
on income should be applied on either a retrospective basis for all periods presented or a modified retrospective basis through 
a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  All other amendments 
should be applied on a prospective basis.  The adoption will not have a material impact on future consolidated financial 
statements and related disclosures.

64

ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - This standard provides temporary optional expedients and 

exceptions to accounting guidance for certain contract modifications and hedging arrangements to ease financial reporting 
burdens as the market transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank reference rates to 
alternative reference rates.  The guidance is available for prospective application upon its issuance and can generally be 
applied to contract modifications and hedging relationships entered into March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022.  The 
Company has an interest rate cap arrangement and long-term debt as described in Note 6, Debt for which existing payments 
are based on LIBOR.  The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and the related impact on its consolidated 
financial statements.  Currently, the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its 
consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

2. REVENUE RECOGNITION 

Revenue Recognition

Veritiv applies the five-step model to assess its contracts with customers.  The Company's revenue is reported as net 
sales and is measured as the determinable transaction price, net of any variable consideration (e.g., sales incentives and rights 
to return product) and any taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities.  When the Company 
enters into a sales arrangement with a customer, it believes it is probable that it will collect substantially all of the 
consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer.  When 
management cannot conclude collectability is probable for shipments to a particular customer, revenue associated with that 
customer is not recognized until cash is collected or management is otherwise able to establish that collectability is probable.  
The Company has established credit and collection processes whereby collection assessments are performed and expected 
credit losses are recognized.  As a normal business practice, Veritiv does not enter into contracts that require more than one 
year to complete or that contain significant financing components.

Additionally, Veritiv enters into incentive programs with certain of its customers, which are generally based on sales 
to those same customers.  Veritiv follows the expected value method when estimating its retrospective incentives and records 
the estimated amount as a reduction to gross sales when revenue is recognized.  Estimates of the variable consideration are 
based primarily on contract terms, current customer forecasts as well as historical experience.

Customer product returns are estimated based on historical experience and the identification of specific events 

necessitating an adjustment.  The estimated return value is recognized as a reduction of gross sales and related cost of 
products sold.  The estimated inventory returns value is recognized as part of inventories, while the estimated customer 
refund liability is recognized as part of other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A customer contract liability will arise when Veritiv has received payment for goods and services, but has not yet 

transferred the items to a customer and satisfied its performance obligations.  Veritiv records a customer contract liability for 
performance obligations outstanding related to payments received in advance for customer deposits on equipment sales and 
other sale arrangements requiring prepayment.  Veritiv expects to satisfy these remaining performance obligations and 
recognize the related revenues upon delivery of the goods and services to the customer's designated location within 12 
months following receipt of the payment.  Most equipment sales deposits are held for approximately 90 days and other sale 
arrangements requiring prepayment initially cover a 60-90 day period, but can be renewed by the customer.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized estimated inventory returns of approximately $1.5 

million and $2.0 million, respectively, which are included in inventories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Additionally, 
the Company recognized customer contract liabilities related to its customer deposits for equipment sales and payments 
received for other sale arrangements requiring prepayment, which are included in accounts payable on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.

65

See the table below for a summary of the changes to the customer contract liabilities for the years ended December 

31, 2020 and 2019:

(in millions)

Balance at January 1,

    Payments received

    Revenue recognized from beginning balance

    Revenue recognized from current year receipts

Balance at December 31,

Revenue Composition

Customer Contract Liabilities

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

11.7  $ 

53.2 

(11.6)   

(41.1)   

12.2  $ 

17.7 

46.1 

(17.7) 

(34.4) 

11.7 

Veritiv's revenues are primarily derived from purchase orders and rate agreements associated with (i) the delivery of 

standard listed products with observable standalone sale prices or (ii) transportation and warehousing services.  Revenue 
generally consists of a single performance obligation to transfer a promised good or service and is short-term in nature.  
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to Veritiv's customers and in an 
amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services.  Sales 
transactions with customers are designated free on board destination and revenue is recorded at the point in time when the 
product is delivered to the customer's designated location or when the customer has otherwise obtained the benefit of the 
goods, when title and risk of loss are transferred.  Revenues from Veritiv's transportation services are recognized upon 
completion of the related delivery services and revenues from warehousing services are recognized over time as the storage 
services are provided.  The Company considers handling and delivery as activities to fulfill its performance obligations.  
Billings for third-party freight are accounted for as net sales and handling and delivery costs are accounted for as distribution 
expenses.  

Certain revenues are derived from shipments which are made directly from a manufacturer to a Veritiv customer.  
The Company is considered to be a principal to these transactions because, among other factors, it maintains control of the 
goods after they leave the supplier and before they are received at the customer's location, in most cases it selects the supplier 
and sets the price to the customer, and it bears the risk of the customer defaulting on payment or rejecting the goods.  
Revenues from these sales are reported on a gross basis on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and have historically 
represented approximately 35% of Veritiv's total net sales.

Veritiv evaluated the nature of the products and services provided to its customers as well as the nature of the 

customer and the geographical distribution of its customer base and determined that the best representative level of 
disaggregated revenue is the product category basis.  The Company is able to serve a wide variety of customers, from large 
national companies to small local customers, through its distribution network.  Historically, the Company's ten largest 
customers have generated approximately 10% of its consolidated annual net sales.  Veritiv's principal markets are 
concentrated primarily across North America with net sales in the U.S., Canada and Mexico of approximately 87%, 10% and 
2%, respectively.  

The following is a brief description of the Company's four reportable segments, organized by major product category:

•

•

Packaging – The Packaging segment provides custom and standard packaging solutions for customers based in 
North America and in key global markets.  This segment services customers with a full spectrum of packaging 
product materials within the fiber-based, flexible and rigid categories.  The business is strategically focused on 
higher growth industry sectors including manufacturing, food processing and service, fulfillment and internet retail, 
as well as niche sectors based on industry and product expertise.  This segment also provides supply chain solutions, 
structural and graphic packaging design and engineering, automation, workflow and equipment services and kitting.

Facility Solutions – The Facility Solutions segment sources and sells cleaning, break-room and other supplies such 
as towels, tissues, commercial cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment and safety supplies, wipers, can 
liners, soaps and sanitizers, dispensers, sanitary maintenance supplies and equipment, hazard supplies, and 
shampoos and amenities primarily in North America.  Additionally, the Company offers total cost of ownership 
solutions with re-merchandising, budgeting and compliance reporting, and inventory management.

66

 
 
 
 
•

•

Print – The Print segment sells and distributes commercial printing, writing, copying, digital, specialty products, 
graphics consumables and graphics equipment primarily in North America.  This segment also includes customized 
paper conversion services of commercial printing paper for distribution to document centers and form printers.  
Veritiv's broad geographic platform of operations coupled with the breadth of paper and graphics products, including 
exclusive private brand offerings, provides a foundation to service national, regional and local customers across 
North America.

Publishing – The Publishing segment sells and distributes coated and uncoated commercial printing papers to 
publishers, retailers, converters, printers and specialty businesses for use in magazines, catalogs, books, directories, 
gaming, couponing, retail inserts and direct mail primarily in the U.S.  This segment also provides print 
management, procurement and supply chain management solutions to simplify paper and print procurement 
processes for its customers. 

The Company's consolidated financial results also include a "Corporate & Other" category which includes certain 

assets and costs not primarily attributable to any of the reportable segments.  Corporate & Other also includes the Veritiv 
logistics solutions business which provides transportation and warehousing solutions. 

See Note 16, Segment and Other Information, for the disaggregation of revenue and other information related to the 

Company's reportable segments and Corporate & Other.

3. LEASES

The Company leases certain property and equipment used for operations to limit its exposure to risks related to 
ownership.  The major leased asset categories include: real estate, delivery equipment, material handling equipment and 
computer and office equipment.  As of December 31, 2020, the Company operated from 125 distribution centers of which 
approximately 117 were leased.  These facilities are strategically located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico in order to 
efficiently serve the customer base in the surrounding areas while also facilitating expedited delivery services for special 
orders.  The Company also leases various office spaces for corporate and sales functions.  

The Company's leased asset categories generally carry the following lease terms:

Real estate leases

Delivery equipment leases

Other non-real estate leases

3

3

3

to 10 years

to

to

8

5

years

years

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at lease inception and reviews lease arrangements for finance 

or operating lease classification at their commencement date.  The Company does not include short-term leases on the 
balance sheets and does not separate lease and non-lease components for its delivery equipment leases.  In order to value the 
ROU assets and related liabilities, the Company makes certain estimates and assumptions related to establishing the lease 
term, discount rates and variable lease payments (e.g., rent escalations tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index).  The 
exercise of any lease renewal or asset purchase option is at the Company's sole discretion.  The lease term for all of the 
Company's leases includes the noncancelable period of the lease and any periods covered by renewal options that the 
Company is reasonably certain to exercise.  Certain leases include rent escalations pre-set in the agreements, which are 
factored into the lease payment stream.  Similar to a variable lease payment, certain delivery equipment leases include a 
provision for an amount the Company may be required to pay at the end of the lease for any residual value deficiency 
incurred by the lessor upon resale of the underlying asset.  The Company uses the implicit rate of interest when it is available; 
however, as most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate of interest, the Company uses its incremental 
borrowing rate based on information available at the lease commencement date in determining the discounted value of the 
lease payments.  Lease expense and depreciation expense are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, or for a 
finance lease, over the shorter of the life of the underlying asset or the lease term.  

The Company’s decisions to cease operations in certain warehouse facilities and retail locations leads to different 

accounting treatment depending upon whether the leased properties are considered abandoned versus properties that the 
Company has the intent and ability to sublease.  Abandoned ROU assets are assessed for impairment based on estimates of 
undiscounted operating cash flows until the anticipated cease-use date and any remaining lease expense is accelerated 

67

through the anticipated cease-use date.  Leases for which the Company has the intent and ability to sublease are assessed for 
impairment and any remaining ROU assets are amortized over the shorter of the remaining useful lives of the assets or lease 
term.  The intent and practical ability to sublease and estimates of future cash flows attributable to the sublease are assessed 
considering the terms of the lease agreement, certain market conditions, remaining lease terms and the time required to 
sublease the facility and other factors. 

The components of lease expense were as follows: 

(in millions)
Lease Classification
Short-term lease expense(1)

Financial Statement Classification

Operating expenses

Operating lease expense(2)

Operating expenses

Finance lease expense:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Interest expense
Total finance lease expense

Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense, net

Year Ended December 31,
2019
2020

2.3  $ 

7.1 

111.8  $ 

113.9 

14.7  $ 
3.0 
17.7  $ 

10.8 
2.3 
13.1 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Total Lease Cost
(1) Short-term lease expense is comprised of expenses related to leases with a term of twelve months or less, which includes expenses related to month-to
    month leases.
(2) Sublease income and variable lease expense are not included in the above table as the amounts were not significant for the years ended December 31, 
2020 and 2019 .

131.8  $ 

$ 

134.1 

Supplemental balance sheets and other information were as follows:

(in millions, except weighted-average data)

Lease Classification

Operating Leases:

Financial Statement 
Classification

As of December 31,

2020

2019

Operating lease right-of-use assets

Other non-current assets

Operating lease obligations - current

Other accrued liabilities

Operating lease obligations - non-current
Total operating lease obligations

Other non-current liabilities

Weighted-average remaining lease term in years

Weighted-average discount rate

Finance Leases:

Finance lease right-of-use assets

Property and equipment

Finance lease obligations - current

Finance lease obligations - non-current

Total finance lease obligations

Current portion of debt
Long-term debt, net of current 
portion

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Weighted-average remaining lease term in years

Weighted-average discount rate

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

351.7 

81.9 

307.4 

389.3 

6.1

 4.7 %

76.6 

13.4 

68.9 

82.3 

7.1

 3.7 %

429.2 

90.5 

376.6 

467.1 

6.6

 4.6 %

76.6 

11.5 

69.2 

80.7 

7.8

 3.4 %

68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was as follows:

(in millions)
Lease Classification

Financial Statement Classification

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2020

Operating Leases:
Operating cash flows from operating leases Operating activities

Finance Leases:
Operating cash flows from finance leases
Financing cash flows from finance leases

Operating activities
Financing activities

Lease Commitments

Future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2020 were as follows:

$ 

$ 

111.1  $ 

109.5 

3.0  $ 
13.0 

2.3 
9.1 

(in millions)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total future minimum lease payments

   Amount representing interest

Total future minimum lease payments, net of interest

$ 

$ 

Finance Leases

Operating Leases(1)
98.3 

16.0  $ 

15.5 

13.2 

11.4 

10.6 

27.7 

94.4 

(12.1)   

82.3  $ 

83.4 

63.1 

53.0 

42.4 

111.4 

451.6 

(62.3) 

389.3 

(1) Future sublease income of $1.8 million is excluded from the operating leases amount in the table above.

Total future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2020 for finance and operating leases, including the amount 

representing interest, are comprised of $467.8 million for real estate leases and $78.2 million for non-real estate leases.

At December 31, 2020, the Company had committed to additional future obligations of approximately $10.2 million

for a real estate operating lease that has not yet commenced and therefore is not included in the table above.  This lease is 
expected to commence within the next three months with a lease term of three years.

Operating Leases - prior to the adoption of Topic 842

The Company recorded rent expense of $118.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

Other Lease Transactions

In connection with Bain Capital Fund VII, L.P.'s acquisition of its 60% interest in UWWH on November 27, 2002, 

Unisource transferred 40 of its U.S. distribution facilities (the "Properties") to Georgia-Pacific who then sold 38 of the 
Properties to an unrelated third party (the "Purchaser/Landlord").  Contemporaneously with the sale, Georgia-Pacific entered 
into lease agreements with the Purchaser/Landlord with respect to the individual 38 Properties and concurrently entered into 
sublease agreements with Unisource, which expired in June 2018.  As a result of certain forms of continuing involvement, 
these transactions did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting.  Accordingly, the leases were classified as financing 
transactions.  As of June 30, 2018, the financing obligations for all of the related party financed Properties were either 
terminated early or had expired in accordance with their terms.  Through formal termination or natural expiration of these 
agreements, the involvement of Georgia-Pacific ceased and the leases no longer qualified as failed sale-leaseback financing 
obligations.  Of the original 38 financing obligations to related party Properties, 27 were settled by the return of the Properties 
to the landlord.  See Note 4, Restructuring, Integration and Acquisition Charges, for additional information regarding the 
related party failed-sale leaseback agreements.

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In May 2017, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement under which Veritiv agreed to sell its Austin, 
Texas facility to an unrelated third party.  Upon the closing of the sale, Veritiv entered into a lease of the facility for an initial 
period of ten years with two optional five-year renewal terms.  The sale-leaseback transaction did not provide for any 
continuing involvement by the Company other than a normal lease for use of the property during the lease term.  The 
transaction resulted in net cash proceeds of $9.1 million and a related deferred gain of $5.4 million.  Prior to 2019, the 
Company recognized a portion of the gain on a straight-line basis over the initial ten-year lease period as a reduction to 
selling and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Upon the Company's adoption of ASU 
2016-02 on January 1, 2019, it recognized an increase to retained earnings of $2.7 million, primarily driven by the 
derecognition of the unamortized gain from the sale of this property.

4. RESTRUCTURING, INTEGRATION AND ACQUISITION CHARGES

2020 Restructuring Plan

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company initiated a restructuring plan in response to the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic on its business operations and the ongoing secular changes in its Print and Publishing segments.  
During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company expanded the initial plan to further align its cost structure with ongoing 
business needs as the Company executes on its stated corporate strategy.  The initial and expansion activities are collectively 
referred to as the "2020 Restructuring Plan."

The 2020 Restructuring Plan will result in (i) the reduction of the Company's U.S. salaried workforce by 
approximately 15% across all business segments and corporate functions, (ii) the closure of certain warehouse facilities and 
retail stores, (iii) adjustments to various compensation plans, (iv) repositioning of inventory to expand the Company's service 
radius and (v) other actions. 

The Company estimates it will now incur total restructuring charges of between $77 million and $101 million in 
connection with the 2020 Restructuring Plan.  These costs will consist of approximately (i) $52 million to $54 million in 
employee termination and other one-time compensation costs, (ii) $11 million to $29 million in real estate exit costs, (iii) 
$10 million in inventory related costs and (iv) $4 million to $8 million in other exit costs.  In addition, the Company expects 
to incur approximately $4 million of inventory related costs to be reported in cost of products sold.  The Company expects to 
substantially complete the 2020 Restructuring Plan by the end of 2021.  Initial charges were incurred and recorded in June 
2020.  

Other direct costs reported in the table below include facility closing costs and other incidental costs associated with 

the development, communication, administration and implementation of these initiatives. 

The following is a summary of the Company's 2020 Restructuring Plan liability activity for the year ended
December 31, 2020 (costs incurred exclude any non-cash portion of restructuring gains or losses on asset disposals):

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2019

Costs incurred

Payments

Balance at December 31, 2020

Severance and 
Related Costs

Other Direct 
Costs

Total

$ 

$ 

— 

$ 

— 

$ 

38.7 

(23.3) 

12.4 

(5.5) 

15.4 

$ 

6.9 

$ 

— 

51.1 

(28.8) 

22.3 

In addition to the costs incurred and payments shown in the table above, during the fourth quarter of 2020 the 
Company prepaid $8.1 million of Other Direct Costs, of which $1.1 million was expensed during the quarter and $7.0 million
remained as a component of other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020.  The Company 
is expected to make another payment of approximately $8.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2021, of which 
approximately $4.1 million will represent a prepayment.

Merger of xpedx and Unisource

As of December 31, 2019, the integration and restructuring plans related to the Merger were complete and no further 

costs or charges are expected.

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
Integration and Acquisition Expenses

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Veritiv incurred costs and charges related primarily to: 

internally dedicated integration management resources, retention compensation, information technology conversion costs, 
professional services and other costs to integrate its businesses.  The following table summarizes the components of 
integration and acquisition expenses:

(in millions)

Integration management

Retention compensation

Information technology conversion costs

Legal, consulting and other professional fees

Other

AAC integration and acquisition

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

$ 

10.4  $ 

1.0 

3.4 

— 

1.9 

0.8 

     Total integration and acquisition expenses

$ 

17.5  $ 

Veritiv Restructuring Plan: Merger Related

17.3 

0.5 

8.1 

0.3 

3.5 

2.1 

31.8 

As part of the Merger, the Company executed a multi-year restructuring program of its North American operations 

intended to integrate the legacy xpedx and Unisource operations, generate cost savings and capture synergies across the 
combined company.  The restructuring plan included initiatives to: (i) consolidate warehouse facilities in overlapping 
markets, (ii) improve efficiency of the delivery network, (iii) consolidate customer service centers, (iv) reorganize the field 
sales and operations functions and (v) restructure the corporate general and administrative functions.  As part of its 
restructuring efforts, the Company evaluated its operations outside of North America to identify additional cost saving 
opportunities. 

Costs related to exiting a branded re-distribution business were included in restructuring charges, net, on the 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, of which $5.4 
million was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2019.  For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company 
recognized a net loss of $0.4 million, and a net gain of $15.0 million, respectively, related to the sale or exit of certain 
facilities.  During the fourth quarter of 2018, three properties were sold as part of the Company's restructuring efforts.  The 
Company recognized a gain on the sale of these assets of approximately $12.9 million.  See additional information at Note 
10, Fair Value Measurements.

On June 30, 2018, the related party failed sale-leaseback agreements, originally entered into with Georgia-Pacific, 
expired in accordance with their terms.  The agreements contained provisions that required Veritiv to incur costs during the 
lease term related to general repairs and maintenance.  Certain termination and repair costs were incurred at or near the end of 
the agreements' expirations.  Costs related to the properties that were exited as part of the restructuring plan were classified 
within restructuring charges, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and totaled $11.2 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2018.  See Note 3, Leases, for additional information related to the related party failed-sale leaseback 
agreements.

Other direct costs reported in the tables below include facility closing costs, actual and estimated MEPP withdrawal 

charges and other incidental costs associated with the development, communication, administration and implementation of 
these initiatives. 

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents a summary of restructuring charges, net, related to restructuring initiatives that were 

incurred during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the cumulative recorded amounts since the initiative 
began:

(in millions)

2019

2018

Cumulative

Severance and 
Related Costs

Other Direct 
Costs

$ 

$ 

9.1 

3.3 

32.4 

20.3 

22.3 

90.5 

(Gain) Loss on 
Sale of Assets 
and Other (non-
cash portion)

$ 

(0.6)  $ 

(15.0) 

(38.0) 

Total

28.8 

10.6 

84.9 

The Company's Merger related restructuring liability as of December 31, 2020 was $24.0 million of which $20.0 

million was related to MEPP withdrawal obligations that will be paid-out over an approximate 20-year period.  The following 
is a summary of the Company's restructuring liability activity for the periods presented (costs incurred exclude any non-cash 
portion of restructuring gains or losses on asset disposals):

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2018

Costs incurred

Payments

Balance at December 31, 2019

Payments

Other non-cash items

Balance at December 31, 2020

Severance and 
Related Costs

Other Direct 
Costs

Total

$ 

$ 

4.7 
9.1 

(7.6) 

6.2 

(5.8) 

— 

0.4 

$ 

$ 

25.1 
20.3 

(14.8) 

30.6 

(6.9) 

(0.1) 

$ 

23.6 

$ 

29.8 
29.4 

(22.4) 

36.8 

(12.7) 

(0.1) 

24.0 

The Company has recorded undiscounted charges related to the complete or partial withdrawal from various MEPPs.  
Charges not related to the Company's restructuring efforts are recorded as distribution expenses.  Initial amounts are recorded 
as other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See the table below for a summary of the net withdrawal 
charges for the respective years ended December 31:

(in millions)

2019

2018

Year Ended December 31,

Restructuring 
charges, net

Distribution expenses

Total Net Charges

$ 

1.5  $ 

(2.8)   

6.6  $ 

11.2 

8.1 

8.4 

See Note 9, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional information regarding these MEPP transactions.

Veritiv Restructuring Plan: Print Segment 

To ensure that Veritiv will be appropriately positioned to respond to the secular decline in the paper industry, the 

Company restructured its Print segment and completed its efforts as of December 31, 2018.  The restructuring plan included 
initiatives within the Company's Print segment to improve the sustainability of the print business, better serve its customers' 
needs and work more effectively with suppliers by incorporating a more customer focused, collaborative, team-selling 
approach as well as better aligning its support functions.  As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $0.1 million of 
restructuring liabilities related to this plan, which was paid in 2020.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following is a summary of the Company's Print restructuring liability activity for the year ended December 31, 

2019:

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2018

Payments

Balance at December 31, 2019

Severance and Related 
Costs

$ 

$ 

2.0 

(1.9) 

0.1 

See Note 16, Segment and Other Information, for the impact these charges had on the Company's reportable 

segments. 

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

At December 31, 2020, the net goodwill balance was $99.6 million.  The following table sets forth the changes in 

the carrying amount of goodwill during 2020 and 2019: 

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2018:

Packaging

Facility 
Solutions

Print

Publishing

Corporate 
& Other

Total

   Goodwill

$ 

99.6  $ 

59.0  $ 

265.4  $ 

50.5  $ 

6.1  $ 

480.6 

   Accumulated impairment losses

      Net goodwill 2018

2019 Activity:

   Goodwill acquired

   Impairment of goodwill

Balance at December 31, 2019:

   Goodwill

   Accumulated impairment losses

      Net goodwill 2019

2020 Activity:

Goodwill acquired

Impairment of goodwill

Balance at December 31, 2020:

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

— 

99.6 

— 

— 

99.6 

— 

99.6 

— 

— 

99.6 

— 

(59.0)   

(265.4)   

(50.5)   

(6.1)   

(381.0) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

99.6 

— 

— 

59.0 

265.4 

50.5 

6.1 

480.6 

(59.0)   

(265.4)   

(50.5)   

(6.1)   

(381.0) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

99.6 

— 

— 

59.0 

265.4 

50.5 

6.1 

480.6 

(59.0)   

(265.4)   

(50.5)   

(6.1)   

(381.0) 

Net goodwill 2020

$ 

99.6  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

99.6 

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Intangible Assets

The components of the Company's other intangible assets were as follows:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

(in millions)
Customer relationships

Trademarks/Trade names

Total

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Net

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Net

$ 

$ 

67.7  $ 

20.3  $ 

47.4 

$ 

67.7  $ 

15.5  $ 

52.2 

3.8 

3.8 

— 

3.8 

3.8 

— 

71.5  $ 

24.1  $ 

47.4 

$ 

71.5  $ 

19.3  $ 

52.2 

Upon retirement or full impairment of the intangible assets, the cost and related amount of accumulated amortization 

are eliminated from the asset and accumulated amortization accounts, respectively. 

The Company recorded amortization expense of $4.8 million, $5.0 million and $6.9 million for the years ended 

December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows (in millions):

Year

Total

$ 

4.8 

4.8 

4.8 

4.8 

4.8 

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

See Note 10, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information related to impairment assessments for goodwill 

and other intangible assets.

6. DEBT

The Company's debt obligations were as follows:

(in millions)

Asset-Based Lending Facility (the "ABL Facility")

Commercial card program

Finance leases

Total debt

Less: current portion of debt

Long-term debt, net of current portion

ABL Facility

As of December 31,

2020

2019

520.2  $ 

1.3 

82.3 

603.8 

(14.7) 

589.1  $ 

673.2 

1.1 

80.7 

755.0 

(12.6) 

742.4 

$ 

$ 

On April 9, 2020, the Company amended its ABL Facility to extend the maturity date to April 9, 2025, reduced the 
aggregate commitments from $1.4 billion to $1.1 billion and adjusted the pricing grid for applicable interest rates.  All other 
significant terms remained substantially the same.   The ABL Facility is comprised of U.S. and Canadian sub-facilities of
$1.1 billion and $150 million, respectively.  The ABL Facility is available to be drawn in U.S. dollars, in the case of the U.S. 
sub-facility, and in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars, in the case of the Canadian sub-facility, or in other currencies that are 
mutually agreeable.  The ABL Facility provides for the right of the individual lenders to extend the maturity date of their 
respective commitments and loans upon the request of Veritiv and without the consent of any other lenders.  The ABL 
Facility may be prepaid at Veritiv's option at any time without premium or penalty and is subject to mandatory prepayment if 

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the amount outstanding under the ABL Facility exceeds either the aggregate commitments with respect thereto or the current 
borrowing base, in an amount equal to such excess.  The Company's accounts receivable and inventories in the U.S. and 
Canada are collateral under the ABL Facility.

The ABL Facility has a springing minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 on a trailing four-

quarter basis, which will be tested only when specified availability is less than the limits outlined under the ABL Facility.  At 
December 31, 2020, the above test was not applicable and based on information available as of the date of this report it is not 
expected to be applicable in the next 12 months.

Availability under the ABL Facility is determined based upon a monthly borrowing base calculation which includes 
eligible customer receivables and inventory, less outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and certain designated reserves.  As 
of December 31, 2020, the available additional borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility was approximately $341.9 
million.  As of December 31, 2020, the Company held $12.1 million in outstanding letters of credit.

Under the terms of the ABL Facility, interest rates are based upon LIBOR or the prime rate plus a margin rate, or in 
the case of Canada, a banker's acceptance rate or base rate plus a margin rate.  For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 
and 2018, the weighted-average borrowing interest rates were 2.9%, 3.4% and 4.6%, respectively.

In conjunction with the April 9, 2020 amendment to the ABL Facility, the Company recognized a one-time charge 

of $0.6 million to interest expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the write-off of a portion of the 
previously deferred financing costs associated with lenders in the ABL Facility that exited the amended ABL Facility.  In 
addition, the Company incurred and deferred $3.4 million of new financing costs associated with this transaction, reflected in 
other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, which will be amortized to interest expense on a straight-line 
basis over the amended term of the ABL Facility.  Interest expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations 
included $2.1 million, $2.6 million and $2.6 million of amortization and write-off charges related to deferred financing fees 
for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Finance and Capital Lease Obligations

See Note 3, Leases, for additional information regarding the Company's finance and capital leases.

Interest Rate Caps

The Company's indebtedness under the ABL Facility creates interest rate risk.  The Company actively monitors this 
risk with the objective to reduce, where it is deemed appropriate to do so, fluctuations in earnings and cash flows associated 
with changes in the interest rate.  In July 2015, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement which expired on 
July 1, 2019; all related impacts to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 
2019 and 2018 were not significant.

Effective September 13, 2019, the Company entered into a new interest rate cap agreement with an expiration date 

of September 13, 2022.  The interest rate cap effectively limits the floating LIBOR-based portion of the interest rate.  The 
interest rate cap covers $350.0 million of the Company's floating-rate debt at 2.75% plus the applicable credit spread.  The 
Company paid $0.6 million for the interest rate cap.  For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the amounts 
reclassified from AOCL into earnings were not significant.  As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the interest rate cap had a 
fair value that was not significant.  The interest rate cap is classified within other non-current assets on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.  The amount expected to be reclassified from AOCL into earnings within 
the following 12 months is not significant.  The fair value was estimated using observable market-based inputs including 
interest rate curves and implied volatilities (Level 2).  The Company designated the new interest rate cap as a cash flow hedge 
of exposure to changes in cash flows due to changes in the LIBOR-based portion of the interest rate above 2.75%.  The 
Company has determined that the interest rate cap hedging relationship is effective.

The Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk for nonperformance and, in the event of nonperformance, to 

market risk for changes in the interest rate.  The Company attempts to manage exposure to counterparty credit risk primarily 
by selecting only those counterparties that meet certain credit and other financial standards.  The Company believes there has 
not been a material change in the creditworthiness of its counterparty and believes the risk of nonperformance by such party 
is minimal.

75

Commercial Card Program

In May 2019, the Company entered into a commercial purchasing card agreement with a financial institution.  The 

commercial card is used for business purpose purchasing and must be paid in-full monthly.  The card currently carries a 
maximum credit limit of $37.5 million.  At December 31, 2020 and 2019, $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, was 
outstanding on the commercial card.  The net change in the outstanding balance is classified as a financing activity on the 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

7. INCOME TAXES

The Company is subject to federal, state and local income taxes in the U.S., as well as income taxes in Canada, 

Mexico and other foreign jurisdictions.  The domestic (U.S.) and foreign components of the Company's income (loss) before 
income taxes were as follows:

(in millions)
Domestic (U.S.)
Foreign
Income (loss) before income taxes

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2020

2018

$ 

$ 

30.8  $ 
12.2 
43.0  $ 

(50.5)  $ 
21.7 
(28.8)  $ 

(16.7) 
6.5 
(10.2) 

Income tax expense (benefit) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations consisted of the following:

(in millions)
Current Provision:
U.S. Federal
U.S. State
Foreign
Total current income tax expense

Deferred, net:
U.S. Federal
U.S. State
Foreign
Total deferred, net
Provision for income tax expense

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2020

2018

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

4.7  $ 
3.9 
2.0 
10.6  $ 

(2.6)  $ 
(0.4)   
1.2 
(1.8)  $ 
8.8  $ 

0.7  $ 
0.5 
2.2 
3.4  $ 

(4.8)  $ 
0.0 
2.1 
(2.7)  $ 
0.7  $ 

0.8 
1.2 
1.5 
3.5 

0.4 
0.6 
1.0 
2.0 
5.5 

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation between the federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate is as follows (see Note 8, Related Party 

Transactions, for additional information related to the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA")):

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2020

(in millions)
Income (loss) before income taxes
Statutory U.S. income tax rate
Tax expense (benefit) using statutory U.S. income tax rate
Foreign income tax rate differential
State tax (net of federal benefit)
Non-deductible expenses
Global Intangible Low Taxed Income
TRA
Tax credits
Impact of U.S. Tax Act (Federal and State)
Impact of CARES Act
Stock compensation vesting
Change in valuation allowance - U.S. Federal (1)
Change in valuation allowance - Foreign

Foreign taxes

Bad debt

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

43.0 
 21.0 %
9.0 
0.6 
2.6 
2.3 
(1.5) 
(3.7) 
(1.9) 
— 
(2.4) 
2.1 
— 
— 

1.6 

— 

(28.8) 

 21.0 %
(6.0) 
0.6 
0.3 
2.4 
2.8 
(0.1) 
(1.1) 
— 
— 
1.3 
— 
0.3 

0.9 

(0.9) 

0.2 
0.7 
 (2.4) %

$ 

$ 

$ 

2018

(10.2) 

 21.0 %
(2.1) 
0.7 
1.4 
2.7 
1.4 
(0.3) 
(1.0) 
1.3 
— 
1.7 
(0.1) 
(0.4) 

0.6 

— 

(0.4) 
5.5 
 (53.9) %

Other
Income tax provision
Effective income tax rate
(1)Increase in Section 382 limitation resulting from recognition of 2018 built-in gains.

$ 

0.1 
8.8 
 20.5 %

$ 

The Tax Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017.  The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the 

U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%, implementation 
of a territorial tax system and a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that is payable 
over eight years.  Veritiv recognized the tax effects of the Tax Act in the year ended December 31, 2017 and completed the 
accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act during the fourth quarter of 2018 in accordance with Staff 
Accounting Bulletin 118.  The total amount recorded related to the Tax Act includes $31.5 million in tax expense, of which 
$24.0 million related primarily to the remeasurement of the Company's deferred taxes to the 21.0% tax rate and $7.5 million 
related to the one-time transition tax.  Additionally, the Company has concluded the applicable accounting policy election 
associated with GILTI will be treated as a period cost. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") was signed into law on March 27, 

2020 and makes significant economic stimulus changes and additional changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited 
to, allowing the carryback of net operating losses ("NOLs" or "NOL") occurring in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the prior five 
years and eliminating the taxable income limitation, changing the interest expense limitation, including a technical correction 
for qualified improvement property depreciation and providing for additional employee retention credits.

Effective January 1, 2018, Veritiv elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive 

Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) which 
gives companies the option to reclassify to retained earnings tax effects resulting from the Tax Act related to items in AOCI 
that the FASB refers to as having been stranded in AOCI.  As a result of adopting this standard, the Company 
reclassified $0.8 million from Veritiv's AOCL to retained earnings.

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:  

(in millions)
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued compensation
Finance leases
    Lease obligations

Net operating losses and credit carryforwards
Allowance for credit losses and doubtful accounts, respectively
Other
Gross deferred income tax assets
Less valuation allowance

Total deferred tax asset

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment, net

    Lease assets

Inventory reserve
Other

Total deferred tax liability
Net deferred income tax asset

Deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is as follows:

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2018

   Additions

   Subtractions

   Currency translation adjustments

Balance at December 31, 2019

   Additions

   Subtractions

   Currency translation adjustments

Balance at December 31, 2020

As of December 31,

2020

2019

U.S.

Non-U.S.

U.S.

Non-U.S.

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

$ 

$ 

39.4  $ 
10.8 
90.2 
27.8 

12.3 
8.3 
188.8 

(1.3)   
187.5  $ 

3.6  $ 
9.9 
12.1 
4.6 

0.2 
1.0 
31.4 
(1.0)   
30.4  $ 

32.9  $ 
10.2 
108.4 
35.4 

11.4 
13.7 
212.0 

(2.4)   
209.6  $ 

(26.6)  $ 
(82.9)   
(17.9)   
(10.1)   
(137.5)  $ 
50.0  $ 

(8.8)  $ 
(11.6)   
— 
— 
(20.4)  $ 
10.0  $ 

(25.6)  $ 
(101.4)   
(28.7)   
(6.8)   
(162.5)  $ 
47.1  $ 

2.7 
9.0 
12.5 
7.7 

0.1 
0.6 
32.6 
(2.4) 
30.2 

(8.1) 
(12.2) 
— 
— 
(20.3) 
9.9 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Total

5.1  $ 

1.1 

(3.8)   

— 

2.4 

— 

(1.1)   

— 

1.3  $ 

3.3  $ 

0.4 

(1.2)   

(0.1)   

2.4 

— 

(1.6)   

0.2 

1.0  $ 

8.4 

1.5 

(5.0) 

(0.1) 

4.8 

— 

(2.7) 

0.2 

2.3 

The Merger resulted in a significant change in the ownership of the Company, which, pursuant to the Internal 

Revenue Code Section 382, imposes annual limits on the Company's ability to utilize its U.S. federal and state NOL 
carryforwards.  The Company's NOLs will continue to be available to offset taxable income (until such NOLs are either 
utilized or expire) subject to the Section 382 annual limitation.  If the annual limitation amount is not fully utilized in a 
particular tax year, then the unused portion from that particular tax year will be added to the annual limitation in subsequent 
years.  In accordance with Notice 2003-65, the Company was in a net unrealized built-in gain position at the time of the 
Merger.  During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's five-year recognition period to recognize built-in gain 
ended.  As such, the deferred tax asset and valuation allowance representing the book basis in excess of tax basis of various 
assets was written-off.

The Company evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets, and to the extent that the Company estimates that 

it is more likely than not that a benefit will not be realized, the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets is reduced with a 
valuation allowance.  This analysis is done quarterly for each jurisdiction.  As a part of this evaluation, the Company assesses 
all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected 

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations, to determine whether sufficient future taxable 
income will be generated to realize existing deferred tax assets.  In the U.S. jurisdiction, the Company had positive but near 
break-even cumulative income over the preceding 12 quarters ended December 31, 2020.  Thus, the analysis of whether a 
valuation allowance is needed required significant judgement.  The Company evaluated its historical core earnings for the 
past three years by adjusting for certain nonrecurring items to estimate future income.  On the basis of this assessment and 
after considering future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, the Company concluded that its net U.S. deferred 
tax assets of $50.0 million will more likely than not be realized, and recorded no valuation allowance.

In general, it is the practice and intention of Veritiv to reinvest the earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries in those 

operations.  As of December 31, 2020, Veritiv's tax basis exceeded its financial reporting basis in certain investments in non-
U.S. subsidiaries.  The Company does not believe these temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and, 
therefore, no deferred tax asset has been recognized with respect to these basis differences.  Additionally, no deferred tax 
liability has been recognized for income and withholding tax liabilities associated with investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries 
where book basis exceeds tax basis.  The amount of such temporary differences totaled approximately $18.7 million as of 
December 31, 2020.  The income and withholding tax liability associated with these temporary differences is not significant. 

Veritiv applies a "more likely than not" threshold to the recognition and de-recognition of uncertain tax positions.  A 

change in judgment related to prior years' uncertain tax positions is recognized in the period of such change. 

The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense.  Penalties, if 

incurred, are recognized as a component of income tax expense.  Total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 
2020, 2019 and 2018, as well as activity within each of the years, was not material.

In the U.S., Veritiv is generally subject to examination by the IRS for fiscal years 2016 and later and certain states 

for fiscal years 2016 and later; however, it may be subject to IRS and state tax authority adjustments for years prior to 2016 to 
the extent of losses or other tax attributes carrying forward from the earlier years.  Veritiv Canada remains subject to 
examination by the Canadian Revenue Agency and certain provinces for fiscal years 2012 and later.

As of December 31, 2020, Veritiv has federal, state and foreign income tax NOLs available to offset future taxable 

income of $109.0 million, $95.6 million and $18.1 million, respectively.  Federal NOLs begin expiring in 2024.  State and 
foreign NOLs will expire at various dates from 2021 through 2039, with the exception of certain foreign NOLs that do not 
expire, but have a full valuation allowance.

8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Agreements with the UWWH Stockholder

On the Distribution Date UWW Holdings, LLC (the "UWWH Stockholder"), the sole shareholder of UWWH, 

received 7.84 million shares of Veritiv common stock for all outstanding shares of UWWH common stock that it held in a 
private placement transaction.  Additionally, Veritiv and the UWWH Stockholder executed the following agreements:

•

Registration Rights Agreement: The Registration Rights Agreement provides the UWWH Stockholder with certain 
demand and piggyback registration rights.  Under this Agreement, the UWWH Stockholder is also entitled to transfer its 
Veritiv common stock to one or more of its affiliates or equity-holders and may exercise registration rights on behalf of 
such transferees if such transferees become a party to the Registration Rights Agreement.  The UWWH Stockholder, on 
behalf of the holders of shares of Veritiv's common stock that are party to the Registration Rights Agreement, under 
certain circumstances and provided certain thresholds described in the Registration Rights Agreement are met, may make 
a written request to the Company for the registration of the offer and sale of all or part of the shares subject to such 
registration rights.  If the Company registers the offer and sale of its common stock (other than pursuant to a demand 
registration or in connection with registration on Form S-4 and Form S-8 or any successor or similar forms, or relating 
solely to the sale of debt or convertible debt instruments) either on its behalf or on the behalf of other security holders, 
the holders of the registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement are entitled to include their shares in such 
registration.  The demand rights described commenced 180 days after the Distribution Date.  Veritiv is not required to 
effect more than one demand registration in any 150-day period or more than two demand registrations in any 365-day 
period.  If Veritiv believes that a registration or an offering would materially affect a significant transaction or would 
require it to disclose confidential information which it in good faith believes would be adverse to its interest, then Veritiv 
may delay a registration or filing for no more than 120 days in a 360-day period. 

79

•

Tax Receivable Agreement: The Tax Receivable Agreement set forth the terms by which Veritiv was generally 
obligated to pay the UWWH Stockholder an amount equal to 85% of the U.S. federal, state and Canadian income tax 
savings, if any, that Veritiv actually realized as a result of the utilization of Unisource's NOLs attributable to taxable 
periods prior to the date of the Merger.  In December 2020, the Company and the UWWH Stockholder agreed to settle
the TRA.  The Company paid the UWWH Stockholder a total of $12.0 million in settlement of all past and future 
liabilities that would have been owed under the TRA and the parties agreed to a mutual release of claims under the TRA.  
In January 2020, 2019 and 2018, Veritiv paid $0.3 million, $8.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively, in principal and 
interest, to the UWWH Stockholder for the utilization of pre-merger NOLs in its 2018, 2017 and 2016 federal and state 
tax returns, respectively.  See Note 10, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information regarding the TRA.

On November 19, 2020, the UWWH Stockholder sold 1.40 million shares of Veritiv common stock in an 
underwritten public offering.  The Company did not sell or repurchase any shares and did not receive any of the proceeds.  In 
conjunction with this transaction, Veritiv incurred approximately $0.2 million in transaction-related fees, which were 
included in selling and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  On September 25, 2018, the 
UWWH Stockholder sold 1.50 million shares of Veritiv common stock in a block trade.  The Company did not sell or 
repurchase any shares and did not receive any of the proceeds in this transaction.  In conjunction with this transaction, Veritiv 
incurred approximately $0.2 million in transaction-related fees, which were included in selling and administrative expenses 
on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

The UWWH Stockholder beneficially owned 8.7% of Veritiv's outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2020.  

The Company considers its stockholders that own more than 10.0% of its outstanding common stock to be related parties as 
defined within ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures.  As a result of the Merger and related private placement, Georgia-
Pacific, as joint owner of the UWWH Stockholder, qualified as a related party.  Effective with the November 19, 2020 sale of 
the Company's common stock by the UWWH Stockholder, Georgia-Pacific will no longer be treated as a related party.

Transactions with Georgia-Pacific

Veritiv purchases certain inventory items from, and sells certain inventory items to, Georgia-Pacific in the normal 

course of business.  The following table summarizes the financial impact of these related party transactions with Georgia-
Pacific - the net sales and cost of product sold amounts reflect transactions through November 19, 2020:

(in millions)

Sales to Georgia-Pacific, reflected in net sales
Purchases of inventory from Georgia-Pacific, recognized in cost of products 
sold

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

$ 

19.7 

$ 

23.4 

$ 

28.0 

55.6 

85.2 

146.5 

(in millions)
Inventories purchased from Georgia-Pacific that remained on Veritiv's 
balance sheets

$ 

Related party payable to Georgia-Pacific

Related party receivable from Georgia-Pacific

As of December 31,
2019
2020

$ 

— 

— 

— 

11.4 

4.3 

2.8 

See Note 3, Leases, for information on the Company's financing obligations to Georgia-Pacific.

9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Contribution Plans 

Veritiv sponsors qualified defined contribution plans covering its employees in the U.S. and Canada.  The defined

80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contribution plans allow eligible employees to contribute a portion of their eligible compensation (including salary and 
annual incentive plan bonus) to the plans and Veritiv makes matching contributions to participant accounts on a specified 
percentage of employee deferrals as determined by the provisions of each plan.  During the years ended December 31, 2020, 
2019 and 2018 Veritiv's contributions to these plans totaled $9.3 million, $19.9 million and $20.6 million, respectively.  As 
part of the Company's cost-saving actions taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's matching contributions for 
all salaried employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements were suspended effective May 1, 2020.

Deferred Compensation Savings Plans

In conjunction with the Merger, Veritiv assumed responsibility for Unisource's legacy deferred compensation plans.  
In general, the payout terms varied for each employee agreement and are paid in monthly or annual installments ranging up to 
15 years from the date of eligibility. 

Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted the Veritiv Deferred Compensation Savings Plan which provides 

for the deferral of salaries, commissions or bonuses of eligible non-union employees and the deferral of cash and equity 
retainers for non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors.  Under this plan, eligible employees may elect to 
defer up to 85% of their base salary, commissions and annual incentive bonus.  The amounts deferred are credited to notional 
investment accounts selected by participants.  At the time a deferral election is made, participants elect to receive payout of 
the deferred amounts upon termination of employment or termination of Board service in the form of a lump sum or equal 
annual installments ranging from two to ten years.  Currently, Veritiv does not make matching contributions to this plan.

The liabilities associated with these plans are summarized in the table below.

(in millions)

Other accrued liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Defined Benefit Plans

As of December 31,

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

4.1 

$ 

19.7 

23.8 

$ 

3.7 

21.1 

24.8 

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, Veritiv did not maintain any active defined benefit plans for its non-union 

employees.  Veritiv maintains a defined benefit pension plan in the U.S. for employees covered by certain collectively 
bargained agreements.  Veritiv also assumed responsibility for Unisource's defined benefit plans, which include frozen cash 
balance accounts for certain former Unisource employees. 

During October 2018, the Company settled its pension obligation related to participants currently in receipt of 
benefits (i.e., retirees) in the U.S. by purchasing a group annuity insurance contract.  By purchasing an insurance contract, the 
Company eliminated its obligation related to paying and managing these participants and passed the full obligation to the 
selected insurer, which reduced Veritiv's projected benefit obligation and plan assets by approximately $21.6 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2018.  The Company recorded a settlement loss of approximately $0.9 million related to this 
transaction, which was included in other (income) expense, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

81

 
 
Benefit Obligations and Funded Status 

The following table provides information about Veritiv's U.S. and Canadian defined benefit pension plans and 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERP"):

(in millions)

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year

$ 

68.6  $ 

89.0 

$ 

65.4  $ 

81.9 

Change in projected benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation, beginning of year
Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial (gain) loss

Benefits paid

Settlements

Foreign exchange adjustments

Projected benefit obligation, end of year

Change in plan assets:

Plan assets, beginning of year
Employer contributions

Investment returns

Benefits paid

Administrative expenses paid

Settlements

Foreign exchange adjustments

Plan assets, end of year

Underfunded status, end of year

Balance Sheet Positions

$ 

65.4  $ 

87.6 

$ 

64.1  $ 

75.3 

1.3 

1.6 

4.3 

(0.4)   

(3.6)   

— 
68.6  $ 

0.4 

2.4 

7.4 

(4.6) 

— 

2.1 
95.3 

$ 

1.1 

2.1 

1.3 

(3.2)   

— 

— 
65.4  $ 

59.2  $ 

77.8 

$ 

52.1  $ 

$ 

$ 

0.1 

8.9 

(0.4)   

(0.8)   

(3.6)   

— 

0.4 

6.7 

(4.6) 

— 

— 

1.7 

$ 

$ 

63.4  $ 

(5.2)  $ 

82.0 

$ 

(13.3)  $ 

— 

11.1 

(3.2)   

(0.8)   

— 

— 

59.2  $ 

(6.2)  $ 

0.3 

2.9 

8.8 

(3.7) 

— 

4.0 
87.6 

65.9 

1.0 

11.2 

(3.7) 

— 

— 

3.4 

77.8 

(9.8) 

As of December 31,

2020

2019

(in millions)

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist 
of:
Other accrued liabilities

Defined benefit pension obligations 

Net liability recognized

$ 

$ 

0.1  $ 

0.2 

$ 

0.1  $ 

5.1 

5.2  $ 

13.1 

13.3 

6.1 

$ 

6.2  $ 

0.2 

9.6 

9.8 

(in millions)

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost and 
included in AOCL consist of:

Net loss, net of tax

$ 

0.2 

$ 

8.9 

$ 

0.7  $ 

5.5 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Periodic Cost

Total net periodic benefit cost (credit) associated with the defined benefit pension and SERP plans is summarized 

below:

(in millions)

2020

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2018

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit):
Service cost

$ 

2.1  $ 

0.4  $ 

1.9  $ 

0.3  $ 

2.0  $ 

0.3 

Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Settlement loss
Amortization of net loss

Total other components

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

Changes to funded status recognized in other 
comprehensive (income) loss:
Net loss (gain) during year, net of tax

$ 

$ 
$ 

1.6  $ 
(3.9) 
0.0 
0.0 
(2.3)  $ 
(0.2)  $ 

2.4  $ 
(3.9) 
0.1 
0.2 
(1.2)  $ 
(0.8)  $ 

2.1  $ 
(3.4)   
— 
— 
(1.3)  $ 
0.6  $ 

2.9  $ 
(3.7)   
— 
0.2 
(0.6)  $ 
(0.3)  $ 

2.5  $ 
(5.2)   
1.1 
— 
(1.6)  $ 
0.4  $ 

2.7 
(3.9) 
0.1 
0.3 
(0.8) 
(0.5) 

$ 

(0.5)  $ 

3.4  $ 

(4.7)  $ 

0.8  $ 

2.2  $ 

(1.4) 

 The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than the service cost component are included in other 
(income) expense, net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Amounts are generally amortized from 
AOCL over the expected future working lifetime of active plan participants.  

Fair Value of Plan Assets

U.S. and Canada pension plan assets are primarily invested in broad-based mutual funds and pooled funds 
comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. equities, U.S. and non-U.S. high-quality and high-yield fixed income securities, hedge fund-
of-funds and short-term interest bearing securities or deposits.

The underlying Level 1 investments of the U.S. plan assets are valued using quoted prices in active markets.  The 

Level 2 investments are primarily valued by each fund’s third-party administrator based upon the valuation of the underlying 
securities and instruments and primarily by applying a valuation methodology based on observable market data as appropriate 
depending on the specific type of security or instrument held.  The underlying investments of the Canada plan assets in equity 
and fixed income securities are measured at fair value using the Net Asset Value ("NAV") provided by the administrator of 
the fund and the Company has the ability to redeem such assets at the measurement date or within the near term without 
redemption restrictions.  In accordance with ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), investments that are 
measured at fair value using the NAV per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.  The 
following tables present Veritiv's plan assets using the fair value hierarchy which is reconciled to the amounts presented for 
the total pension benefit plan assets as of December 31:

As of December 31, 2020

(in millions)

Investments – U.S.:
Equity securities

Fixed income securities

Hedge Fund-of-Funds

Cash and short-term securities

Total

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$ 

$ 

35.2  $ 

35.2  $ 

—  $ 

23.8 

3.8 

0.6 

23.8 

— 

0.6 

— 

3.8 

— 

63.4  $ 

59.6  $ 

3.8  $ 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2020

(in millions)

Investments – Canada:

Cash and short-term securities

Investments measured at NAV:

   Equity securities

   Fixed income securities

Total

As of December 31, 2019

(in millions)

Investments – U.S.:
Equity securities

Fixed income securities

Cash and short-term securities

Total

As of December 31, 2019

(in millions)

Investments – Canada:

Cash and short-term securities

Investments measured at NAV:

   Equity securities

   Fixed income securities

Total

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

1.1  $ 

1.1  $ 

—  $ 

— 

53.9 

27.0 

82.0  $ 

1.1  $ 

—  $ 

— 

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

36.0  $ 

36.0  $ 

23.1 

0.1 

23.1 

0.1 

59.2  $ 

59.2  $ 

—  $ 

— 

— 

—  $ 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

0.6  $ 

0.6  $ 

—  $ 

— 

52.1 

25.1 

77.8  $ 

0.6  $ 

—  $ 

— 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

The classification of fair value measurements within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is 

significant to the measurement.  Valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:

* Equity Securities:  Commingled funds are valued at the net asset value of units held at year end, as determined by 
a pricing vendor or the fund family.  Mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares held at year end, as determined 
by the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded, or a pricing vendor or the 
fund family if an active market is not available. 

* Fixed Income Securities:  Mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares held at year end, as determined 

by the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded, or a pricing vendor or the 
fund family if an active market is not available. 

* Hedge Fund-of-Funds:  These investments represent limited partnership interests in private equity and hedge 

funds.  The partnership interests are valued by the general partners based on the underlying assets in each fund.

* Cash and Short-term Securities:  Cash and cash equivalents consist of U.S. and foreign currencies.  Foreign 
currencies are reported in U.S. dollars based on currency exchange rates readily available in active markets.  Short-term 
securities are valued at the net asset value of units held at year end.

84

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The weighted-average asset allocations of invested assets within Veritiv's defined benefit pension plans were as 

follows:

As of December 31, 2020

(in millions)

Equity securities

Fixed income securities

Hedge Fund-of-Funds

   Cash and short-term securities

Total

As of December 31, 2019

(in millions)

Equity securities

Fixed income securities

Cash and short-term securities

Total

Asset Allocation Range

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

$ 

35.2  $ 

23.8 

3.8 

0.6 

53.9 

27.0 

— 

1.1 

45% - 60%

50% - 70%

30% - 50%

30% - 50%

0% - 10% —% - —%

0% -

5%

0% -

5%

$ 

63.4  $ 

82.0 

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

Asset Allocation Range

$ 

36.0  $ 

23.1 

0.1 

$ 

59.2  $ 

52.1 

25.1 

0.6 

77.8 

55% - 75%

50% - 70%

20% - 40%

30% - 50%

0% - 10%

0% -

5%

Veritiv's investment objectives include maximizing long-term returns at acceptable risk levels, diversifying among 

asset classes, as applicable, and among investment managers as well as establishing certain risk parameters within asset 
classes.  Veritiv's pension investment strategy is to reduce the effects of future volatility on the fair value of pension assets 
relative to pension obligations by increasing the allocation to high quality, longer-term fixed income securities and reducing 
the allocation to equity investments as the funded status improves.  Investment performance is evaluated at least quarterly.  
Total returns are compared to the weighted-average return of a benchmark mix of investments.  Individual fund investments 
are compared to historical three year, five year and ten year returns achieved by funds with similar investment objectives.

Assumptions

The determination of Veritiv's defined benefit obligations and pension expense is based on various assumptions, 

such as discount rates, expected long-term rates of return, rate of compensation increases, employee retirement patterns and 
payment selections, inflation, and mortality rates.

Veritiv's weighted-average discount rates for its U.S. plans were determined by using cash flow matching techniques 

whereby the rates of yield curves, developed from U.S. corporate yield curves, were applied to the benefit obligations to 
determine the appropriate discount rate.  Veritiv's weighted-average discount rates for its Canadian plans were determined by 
using spot rates from yield curves, developed from high-quality bonds (rated AA or higher) by established rating agencies, 
matching the duration of the future expected benefit obligations. 

Veritiv's weighted-average expected rate of return was developed based on several factors, including projected and 

historical rates of returns, investment allocations of pension plan assets and inflation expectations.  Veritiv evaluates the 
expected rate of return assumptions on an annual basis.

The following table presents significant weighted-average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations:

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increases

As of December 31,

2020

2019

2018

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

 2.15 %

N/A

 2.50 %

 3.00 %

 2.98 %

N/A

 3.10 %

 3.00 %

 4.01 %

N/A

 3.90 %

 3.00 %

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents significant weighted-average assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost 

(credit):

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increases

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

Interest crediting rate

Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

U.S.

Canada

 2.98 %  3.10 %

 4.01 %

N/A

 3.00 %

N/A

 7.15 %  5.25 %

 2.73 % N/A

 7.15 %

 5.00 %

 3.90 %

 3.00 %

 5.50 %

N/A

 3.47 %

N/A

 7.15 %

 5.00 %

 3.40 %

 3.00 %

 5.50 %

N/A

Veritiv expects to contribute $0.1 million and $0.4 million to its U.S. and Canadian defined benefit pension and 

SERP plans, respectively, during 2021.  Future benefit payments under the defined benefit pension and SERP plans are 
estimated as follows:

(in millions)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026 – 2030

MEPPs

U.S.

Canada

$ 

5.1  $ 

4.1 

4.0 

3.9 

4.0 

18.6 

2.9 

3.1 

3.3 

3.5 

3.7 

20.8 

Veritiv's contributions to MEPPs, excluding the payment of any withdrawal liabilities, were $2.0 million, $2.4 

million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  It is reasonably possible that 
changes to Veritiv employees covered under these plans might result in additional contribution obligations.  Any such 
obligations would be governed by the specific agreement between Veritiv and any such plan.  Veritiv's contributions did not 
represent more than 5% of total contributions to any MEPPs for the plan years in which Forms 5500 were available.  At the 
date these Consolidated Financial Statements were issued, Forms 5500 were not available for the plan year ended in 2020.

The risks of participating in these MEPPs are different from a single employer plan in the following aspects:
• Assets contributed to the MEPPs by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other 

•

•

participating employers,  
If a participating employer ceases contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be inherited 
by the remaining participating employers, and
If the Company stops participating in any of the MEPPs, the Company may be required to pay those plans an 
amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.  

The Company has recorded undiscounted charges related to the complete or partial withdrawal from various MEPPs.  
Charges not related to the Company's restructuring efforts are recorded as distribution expenses.  Initial amounts are recorded 
as other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See the table below for a summary of the net withdrawal 
charges and the year-end balance sheet liability positions for the respective years ended December 31:

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)

2020

2019

2018

(in millions)

2020

2019

Year Ended December 31,

Restructuring 
charges, net

Distribution expenses

Total Net Charges

—  $ 

1.5 

(2.8)   

7.2  $ 

6.6 

11.2 

7.2 

8.1 

8.4 

As of December 31,

Other accrued 
liabilities

Other non-current 
liabilities

1.8  $ 

1.9 

42.7 

37.4 

$ 

$ 

During the first quarter of 2020, Veritiv negotiated the complete withdrawal from the Western Pennsylvania 

Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund (the "Western Pennsylvania Fund") related to the second bargaining unit at its 
Warrendale, Pennsylvania location and recognized an estimated complete withdrawal liability of $7.1 million in distribution 
expenses, as it was not related to a restructuring activity.

During the second quarter of 2019, in the course of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement, Veritiv 

negotiated a partial withdrawal from the Western Pennsylvania Fund and recognized an estimated partial withdrawal liability 
of $6.5 million in distribution expenses, as it was not related to a restructuring activity.  Also during the second quarter of 
2019, Veritiv recognized an estimated complete withdrawal liability of $1.8 million in restructuring charges, net related to the 
closing of its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania location for those employees who participated in the Warehouse Employees Local 
Union 169 and Employer's Joint Pension Trust MEPP ("Local 169 MEPP").  In the fourth quarter of 2019, Veritiv received 
the estimated determination letter from the Local 169 MEPP assessing a complete withdrawal liability of $1.8 million, which 
was equal to the amount recognized during the second quarter of 2019, and is payable in 80 quarterly installments beginning 
in December 2019.

Included in the restructuring charges, net amounts shown in the table above for 2018, is a MEPP withdrawal 
reduction of $2.7 million related to the Central States MEPP.  During the third quarter of 2018, based on an estimate provided 
by the MEPP and an actuarial review change, Veritiv recognized a reduction of $2.7 million in the estimated partial 
withdrawal liability for the three locations which exited from the Central States MEPP in 2017 and 2016.  During the fourth 
quarter of 2018, Veritiv negotiated a withdrawal from the Central States MEPP for its Rogers, Minnesota location and 
recognized an estimated complete withdrawal liability of an additional $12.0 million in distribution expenses, as it was not 
related to a restructuring activity.  In the second quarter of 2019, Veritiv received the final determination letters for the partial 
and the complete withdrawals.  The determinations were in the amount of $7.7 million for the partial and $12.0 million for 
the complete, both payable in 240 equal monthly installments beginning in April 2019.  This was a reduction of $0.4 million
from what had previously been recorded.

The Company records an estimated undiscounted charge when it becomes probable that it has incurred a withdrawal 

liability.  Final charges for MEPP withdrawals are not known until the plans issue their respective determinations.  As a 
result, these estimates may increase or decrease depending upon the final determination.  As of December 31, 2020, the 
Company has received determination letters resulting from six complete or partial withdrawals.  Of those, the liabilities for 
two withdrawals were settled with lump sum payments, one withdrawal was settled with payments over a nine month period, 
and three withdrawals are expected to occur over an approximate 20-year period.  The Company has not yet received the 
determination letters for the partial and subsequent full withdrawal from the Western Pennsylvania Fund.  The Company 
expects that payments will occur over an approximate 20-year period, which could run consecutively.

Veritiv's participation in the MEPPs for the year ended December 31, 2020, is outlined in the table below.  The 

"EIN/Pension Plan Number" column provides the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number, if 
applicable.  The Pension Protection Act zone listed below is based on the latest information Veritiv received from the plan 
and is certified by the plan's actuary.  Plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are 
less than 80% funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded.  There were no changes in the status of any zones 

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
based on the information provided to Veritiv during 2020.  The "FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented" column indicates 
plans for which a financial improvement plan or a rehabilitation plan is either pending or has been implemented.  The last 
column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreement(s).  Contributions in the table below, for the years 
ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, exclude $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, related to 
payments made for accrued withdrawal liabilities.

EIN/Pension 
Plan No.

Pension 
Protection 
Act Zone 
Status

FIP/RP 
Status 
Pending/   
Implemented

Veritiv's 
Contributions

2020

2019

2018

Surcharge 
Imposed

916145047/001

Green

No

$  1.1  $  1.3  $  1.6 

No

366044243/001

Red

Implemented

  — 

  — 

  0.2 

231511735/001

Yellow

Implemented

  0.4 

  0.4 

  0.4 

Yes

Yes

256029946/001

Red

Implemented

  0.1 

  0.2 

  0.3 

Yes

Expiration 
Date(s) of 
Collective 
Bargaining 
Agreement(s)

9/30/2021 - 
10/31/2023

Exited during 
2018

7/31/2021

Partial exit 
during 2019; 
complete exit 
during 2020

  1.6 

  1.9 

  2.5 

  0.4 

  0.5 

  0.5 

$  2.0  $  2.4  $  3.0 

Pension Fund

Western Conference of 
Teamsters Pension Trust 
Fund (1)

Central States, Southeast & 
Southwest Areas Pension 
Fund

Teamsters Pension Plan of 
Philadelphia & Vicinity

Western Pennsylvania 
Teamsters and Employers 
Pension Plan

Contributions for 
individually significant plans

Contributions to other multi-
employer plans

Total contributions

(1)  As of December 31, 2020, there were eight collective bargaining units participating in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust.  As of
     December 31, 2020, none were then in negotiations.

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, other 

components of other current assets and other accrued liabilities, and the short-term debt associated with the commercial card 
program approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these items.  Cash and cash equivalents include highly-
liquid investments with original maturities to the Company of three months or less that are readily convertible into known 
amounts of cash.

Debt and Other Obligations

Borrowings under the ABL Facility are at variable market interest rates, and accordingly, the carrying amount 

approximates fair value.  The fair value of the debt-related interest rate cap was derived from a discounted cash flow analysis 
based on the terms of the agreement and Level 2 data for the forward interest rate curve adjusted for the Company's credit 
risk.  See Note 6, Debt, for additional information regarding the Company's ABL Facility and other obligations. 

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The fair value analyses used for the determination of goodwill and intangible asset impairments, as described in 

Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 5, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, relied 
upon both Level 2 data (publicly observable data such as market interest rates, the Company's stock price, the stock prices of 
peer companies and the capital structures of peer companies) and Level 3 data (internal data such as the Company's operating 
and cash flow projections).

88

At December 31, 2020, the Company's Packaging reportable segment held a goodwill balance of $99.6 million.  

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment on a reporting unit basis annually as of October 1st or more frequently when indicators 
are present or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.  The Company 
performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2020, which requires a determination of 
whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value.  The determination of the reporting unit's fair value 
was based on an income approach that utilized discounted cash flows and required management to make significant 
assumptions and estimates related to the forecasts of future revenues, profit margins and discount rates.  The principal 
assumptions utilized, all of which are considered Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy, are subject to various risks and 
uncertainties.  As a result of the quantitative goodwill impairment test, no goodwill impairment was indicated or recorded.  
The continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on estimated future cash flows is uncertain and will largely depend on the 
outcome of future events.  The Company will perform additional goodwill impairment testing when indicators are present or 
changes in circumstances suggest the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable and a triggering event has 
occurred.

Other Assets

At  December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company held for sale $0.4 million and $10.1 million, respectively, in assets 
related to its restructuring plans.  These assets are included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the 
lower of their carrying value or fair value at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  During the third and fourth quarters 
of 2020, the Company sold two properties and recognized gains totaling approximately $8.3 million related to the exit and 
sale of those facilities.  The gains included approximately $1.1 million related to exiting a land lease associated with a 
facility, which was not included in the above noted assets-held-for-sale amount at December 31, 2019.  The gains on the 
dispositions of these properties are included in selling and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations. 

The Company has on occasion recognized minor impairments when warranted as part of its normal review of long-

lived assets.  Based on the underlying nature of each item, these impairment charges may be reported as restructuring 
charges, net or selling and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Total long-lived asset 
impairments for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $0.5 million, none and $0.4 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the pension plan assets were primarily comprised of mutual funds and pooled 

funds.  The underlying investments of these funds were valued using either quoted prices in active markets or valued as of the 
most recent trade date.  See Note 9, Employee Benefits Plans, for further detail.

TRA Contingent Liability

At the time of the Merger, the Company recorded a $59.4 million contingent liability associated with the TRA at fair 

value using a discounted cash flow model that reflected management's expectations about probability of payment.  The fair 
value of the TRA was a Level 3 measurement which relied upon both Level 2 data (publicly observable data such as market 
interest rates and historical foreign exchange rates) and Level 3 data (internal data such as the Company's projected income 
(loss) before income taxes, taxable income and assumptions about the utilization of Unisource's NOLs, attributable to taxable 
periods prior to the Merger, by the Company).  The contingent liability was remeasured at fair value at each reporting period-
end with the change in fair value recognized in other (income) expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  In 
December 2020, the Company and the UWWH Stockholder agreed to settle the TRA.  The Company paid the UWWH 
Stockholder a total of $12.0 million in settlement of all past and future liabilities that would have been owed under the TRA 
and the parties agreed to a mutual release of claims under the TRA.  As a result of the settlement, the Company recognized a 
favorable fair value adjustment of $20.1 million in other (income) expense, net in the fourth quarter of 2020.  See Note 8, 
Related Party Transactions, for additional information regarding the TRA.

89

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the TRA contingent liability 

for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: 

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2018

   Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other (income) expense, net

   Principal payment

Balance at December 31, 2019

   Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other (income) expense, net

   Principal payment

Balance at December 31, 2020

AAC Contingent Consideration

TRA Contingent Liability

$ 

$ 

38.9 

0.3 

(7.8) 

31.4 

(19.1) 

(12.3) 

— 

On August 31, 2017 (the "Acquisition Date"), Veritiv completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in 

various AAC entities.  The purchase price allocation for the acquisition of AAC included $22.2 million for the estimated fair 
value of contingent consideration.  The maximum amount payable for the contingent consideration was $50.0 million, with 
up to $25.0 million payable at each of the first and second anniversaries of the Acquisition Date.  The Company paid $2.5 
million on December 26, 2018 and $20.0 million on December 11, 2019 for contingent consideration earned as of the first 
and second anniversaries of the Acquisition Date, respectively.  During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recognized an 
additional charge of $1.0 million and on March 19, 2020, the Company paid $3.5 million to the sellers of AAC in full 
satisfaction of the contingent liability.  This matter is now resolved and there will be no future adjustments to the AAC 
contingent liability.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the AAC contingent liability 

for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

(in millions)

Balance at December 31, 2018

   Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other (income) expense, net

   Contingent liability payment

Balance at December 31, 2019

   Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other (income) expense, net

   Contingent liability payment

Balance at December 31, 2020

11. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION

Other Current Assets 

The components of other current assets as of December 31 were as follows:

(in millions)
Rebates receivable

Prepaid expenses

Value Added Tax receivable

Vendor Deposits

Other

Other current assets

AAC Contingent Liability

$ 

$ 

2020

2019

$ 

44.5  $ 

46.9 

11.1 

5.3 
11.7 

9.4 

13.1 

(20.0) 

2.5 

1.0 

(3.5) 

— 

51.1 

32.9 

13.7 

5.7 
22.7 

$ 

119.5  $ 

126.1 

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Non-Current Assets 

The components of other non-current assets as of December 31 were as follows:

(in millions)

Operating lease right-of-use assets

Deferred financing costs

Investments in real estate joint ventures

Other

Other non-current assets

Accrued Payroll and Benefits

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

351.7  $ 

5.4 

7.3 

13.9 

378.3  $ 

The components of accrued payroll and benefits as of December 31 were as follows:

(in millions)

Accrued incentive plans

Accrued commissions

Accrued payroll and related taxes

Other

Accrued payroll and benefits

Other Accrued Liabilities

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

43.9  $ 

17.1 

16.6 

3.0 

80.6  $ 

The components of other accrued liabilities as of December 31 were as follows:

(in millions)

Operating lease obligations - current

Accrued customer incentives

Accrued freight

Accrued taxes

AAC contingent liability

TRA contingent liability

Escheat audit accrual

Accrued professional fees

Other

Other accrued liabilities

Other Non-Current Liabilities

2020

2019

$ 

81.9  $ 

20.0 

7.8 

18.8 

— 

— 

— 

1.6 

52.1 

$ 

182.2  $ 

The components of other non-current liabilities as of December 31 were as follows:

(in millions)

Operating lease obligations - non-current

MEPP withdrawals

TRA contingent liability

Deferred compensation

Other

Other non-current liabilities

2020

2019

$ 

307.4  $ 

42.7 

— 

19.7 

25.4 

$ 

395.2  $ 

91

429.2 

4.1 

7.1 

14.4 

454.8 

24.7 

17.0 

8.8 

3.4 

53.9 

90.5 

21.1 

9.0 

9.0 

2.5 

0.3 

0.4 

3.4 

47.6 

183.8 

376.6 

37.4 

31.1 

21.1 

19.1 

485.3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic earnings (loss) per share for Veritiv common stock is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the 
weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the respective periods.  Diluted earnings per share is 
similarly calculated, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would 
have been outstanding during those periods if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued, using the treasury stock 
method, except where the inclusion of such common shares would have an antidilutive impact.  See Note 14, Long-Term 
Incentive Compensation Plans, for additional information regarding shares issued under incentive plans.

A summary of the numerators and denominators used in the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share calculations 

is as follows:

(in millions, except per share data)

Numerator:

Net income (loss)

Denominator:

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2020

2018

$ 

34.2  $ 

(29.5)  $ 

(15.7) 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

15.96 

16.48 

16.06 

16.06 

15.82 

15.82 

Earnings (loss) per share:

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$ 

$ 

2.14  $ 

(1.84)  $ 

2.08  $ 

(1.84)  $ 

(0.99) 

(0.99) 

Antidilutive stock-based awards excluded from computation of diluted earnings 
per share 

0.28 

1.17 

1.32 

Performance stock-based awards excluded from computation of diluted earnings 
per share because performance conditions had not been met

0.08 

0.33 

0.26 

In accordance with the Company's 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of March 8, 2017, 

shares of the Company's common stock were issued to plan participants whose Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") and/or 
Performance Condition Share Units ("PSUs") vested during those periods.  The net share issuance is included on the 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

See the table below for information related to these transactions: 

(in millions)

Shares issued

Shares recovered for minimum tax withholding

Net shares issued

13. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common Stock

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

0.3 

(0.1)   

0.2 

0.3 

(0.1)   

0.2 

0.3 

(0.1) 

0.2 

Shares Outstanding: On November 19, 2020, the UWWH Stockholder sold 1.40 million shares of Veritiv common 

stock in an underwritten public offering.  On September 25, 2018, the same stockholder sold 1.50 million shares of Veritiv 
common stock in a block trade.  The Company did not sell or repurchase any shares and did not receive any of the proceeds 
in either of these transactions.

92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends: Each holder of common stock shall be entitled to participate equally in all dividends payable with 

respect to the common stock.

Voting Rights: The holders of the Company's common stock are entitled to vote only in the circumstances set forth 
in Veritiv's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.  Each holder of common stock shall be entitled to one vote 
for each share of common stock held of record by such holder upon all matters to be voted on by the holders of the common 
stock.

Other Rights: Each holder of common stock shall be entitled to share equally, subject to any rights and preferences 

of the preferred stock (as fixed by resolutions, if any, of the Board of Directors), in the assets of the Company available for 
distribution, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Veritiv, or 
upon any distribution of the assets of the Company.

Preferred Stock 

Subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of 

Veritiv is authorized to provide for the issuance of up to 10.0 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series.  The 
Board of Directors may fix the number of shares constituting any series and determine the designation of the series, the 
dividend rates, rights of priority of dividend payment, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of the series, and the 
preferences and relative participating, optional and other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions, 
applicable to the shares of such series.  No preferred stock was issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020.

Treasury Stock

On March 16, 2020, Veritiv announced that its Board of Directors authorized a $25 million share repurchase 

program (the "2020 Share Repurchase Program").  Under this program the Company may purchase shares of its common 
stock through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, forward, derivative, or accelerated repurchase 
transactions, tender offers or otherwise, in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations.  During the first 
quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased 383,972 shares of its common stock at a cost of $3.5 million under its 2020 Share 
Repurchase Program, which has been suspended since March 27, 2020.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL)

Comprehensive income (loss) is reported on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and 

consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders' equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded 
from net income (loss).  

The following table provides the components of AOCL at December 31, 2020 and 2019 (amounts are shown net of 

their related income tax effect, if any):

(in millions)

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
adjustments

Retirement 
liabilities

Interest 
rate cap

AOCL

Balance at December 31, 2018

$ 

(30.3)  $ 

(10.1)  $ 

(0.3)  $ 

(40.7) 

     Unrealized net gains (losses) arising during the period

     Amounts reclassified from AOCL

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

Balance at December 31, 2019

     Unrealized net gains (losses) arising during the period

     Amounts reclassified from AOCL

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

4.7 

(1.0) 

3.7 

(26.6) 

2.1 

0.3 

2.4 

5.2 

(1.3) 

3.9 

(6.2) 

(3.9) 

1.0 

(2.9) 

(0.4) 

0.4 

0.0 

(0.3) 

(0.1) 

0.2 

0.1 

9.5 

(1.9) 

7.6 

(33.1) 

(1.9) 

1.5 

(0.4) 

Balance at December 31, 2020

$ 

(24.2)  $ 

(9.1)  $ 

(0.2)  $ 

(33.5) 

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS

Veritiv Omnibus Incentive Plan

The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of stock, Deferred Share Units ("DSUs"), RSUs, PSUs, Market Condition 

Performance Share Units ("MCPSUs") and cash-based Performance-Based Units ("PBUs"), among other awards.  A total of 
3.08 million shares of Veritiv common stock may be issued under the 2014 Plan subject to certain adjustment provisions.  As 
of December 31, 2020, there were approximately 1.00 million shares available to be granted to any employee, director or 
consultant of Veritiv or a subsidiary of Veritiv.  Grants are made at the discretion of the Compensation and Leadership 
Development Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.  Effective for awards with grant dates beginning January 1, 
2020, the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee approved cash-based grants in lieu of equity-based PSU 
and MCPSU grants. 

Stock

The Company made grants of common stock in 2020, 2019 and 2018 to its non-employee directors.  The stock 

grants were fully vested and non-forfeitable as of the grant dates.  The non-employee directors were eligible to defer receipt 
of the awards under the Veritiv Deferred Compensation Savings Plan, a nonqualified plan.  The Company recognized 
$1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.1 million in expense related to these grants for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 
and 2018, respectively.  

Deferred Share Units

The Company granted DSUs in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to its non-employee directors.  Each DSU is the economical 

equivalent of one share of Veritiv's common stock.  The DSUs were fully vested and non-forfeitable as of the grant date and 
are payable following the individual's separation of service as a Veritiv director.  The DSUs granted in 2014 and 2015 are 
payable in cash and the DSUs granted in 2016 are settled in stock.  The cash-settled DSUs are classified as a non-current 
liability and are remeasured at each reporting date, with a corresponding adjustment to compensation expense.  At December 
31, 2020 there were approximately 34,600 DSUs outstanding with a fair value of $1.0 million.  At December 31, 2019, there 
were approximately 51,900 DSUs outstanding with a fair value of $1.4 million.  All selling and administrative expenses 
related to these grants in the Company's Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 
were not significant. 

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs are awarded to key employees annually.  RSUs granted prior to 2020 typically cliff vest at the end of three 

years, subject to continued service.  RSUs granted in 2020 vest over four years, with 25% vesting on each of the first, second, 
third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to continued service.  The fair value of the RSU awards is based 
typically on either the closing price of Veritiv common stock on the grant date or the closing price on the trading date 
immediately prior to the grant date if the grant date is not a trading date.  Compensation expense for RSUs granted prior to 
2020 is recognized ratably from the grant date to the vesting date.  Compensation expense for RSUs granted in 2020 is 
recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is four years.  The total fair value of RSUs 
that vested during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $4.3 million, $3.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

94

A summary of activity related to non-vested RSUs is presented below:

(units in thousands)

Non-vested at December 31, 2017

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2018

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2019

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2020

Performance Share Units

Number of 
RSUs

Weighted-
Average Grant 
Date Fair Value 
Per Share

249  $ 

228  $ 

(65)  $ 

(14)  $ 

398  $ 

160  $ 

(102)  $ 

(87)  $ 

369  $ 

352  $ 

(99)  $ 

(66)  $ 

556  $ 

45.43 

29.69 

50.03 

39.01 

35.88 

24.70 

37.53 

29.96 

32.00 

18.59 

43.48 

22.69 

22.59 

PSUs granted prior to 2020 were awarded to key employees annually and cliff vest at the end of three years, subject 
to continued service and the attainment of performance conditions.  The PSU award represents the contingent right to receive 
a number of shares equal to a portion, all or a multiple (not to exceed 200%) of the target number of PSUs.  The PSUs are 
divided into three tranches, and each tranche is earned based on the achievement of an annual Adjusted EBITDA target which 
is set at the beginning of each of the three years in the vesting period.  The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings 
before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, net, integration and acquisition expenses 
and other similar charges including any severance costs, costs associated with warehouse and office openings or closings, 
consolidation, and relocation and other business optimization expenses, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the 
LIFO reserve, non-restructuring asset impairment charges, non-restructuring severance charges, non-restructuring pension 
charges, net, fair value adjustments related to contingent liabilities assumed in mergers and acquisitions and certain other 
adjustments.  Compensation expense for each tranche is recognized ratably from the date the fair value is measured to the 
vesting date for the number of awards expected to vest.  The total fair value of PSUs that vested during 2020, 2019 and 2018 
was $3.6 million, $6.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively.  Cash-based PBUs were granted in 2020 in lieu of equity-based 
PSUs.

95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A summary of activity related to non-vested PSUs is presented below:

(units in thousands)

Non-vested at December 31, 2017

Granted

Shares gained based on actual performance

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2018

Granted

Shares lost based on actual performance

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2019

Shares gained based on actual performance

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2020
(1) Represents weighted-average grant date fair value for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 tranches.
(2) Represents weighted-average grant date fair value for the 2019 and 2020 tranches.
(3) Represents weighted-average grant date fair value for the 2020 tranches.

Market Condition Performance Share Units

Number of 
PSUs

Weighted-
Average Grant 
Date Fair Value 
Per Share

454  $ 

323  $ 

7  $ 

(122)  $ 

(35)  $ 

627  $ 

392  $ 

(112)  $ 

(174)  $ 

(88)  $ 

645  $ 

183  $ 

(102)  $ 

(139)  $ 

587  $ 

40.87 
24.62  (1)
24.62 

47.37 

34.57 

32.59 
21.39  (2)
21.39 

38.36 

25.30 

25.10 
19.67  (3)
35.70 

28.26 

23.06 

MCPSUs granted prior to 2020 were awarded to key employees annually and cliff vest at the end of three years, 
subject to continued service and the attainment of performance conditions.  The MCPSU award represents the contingent 
right to receive a number of shares equal to a portion, all or a multiple (not to exceed 200%) of the target number of 
MCPSUs.  The MCPSUs are divided into three tranches and each tranche is earned based on the achievement of a total 
shareholder return ("TSR") target relative to the TSR of an applicable peer group over the one-, two- and three-year 
cumulative periods in the vesting period.  The weighted-average grant date fair value of the MCPSUs is determined using a 
Monte Carlo simulation model.  Assumptions used in the 2019 and 2018 models included an expected volatility rate of 53.6%
and 45.5%, respectively, and a risk-free interest rate of 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively; no MCPSUs were granted in 2020.  The 
expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility over the most recent period equal to the vesting period.  The risk-
free interest rate is based on the yield on U.S. Treasury securities matching the vesting period.  Compensation expense is 
recognized ratably from the grant date to the vesting date.  The total fair value of MCPSUs that vested during 2019 and 2018 
was $2.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.  None of the 2017 MCPSUs vested in 2020, due to the cumulative TSR 
performance resulting in a 0% of target final payout.  Cash-based PBUs were granted in 2020 in lieu of equity-based 
MCPSUs.

96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A summary of activity related to non-vested MCPSUs is presented below:

(units in thousands)

Non-vested at December 31, 2017

Granted

Shares lost based on actual performance

Vested

Forfeited/cancelled

Non-vested at December 31, 2018

Granted

Shares lost based on actual performance

Vested

Forfeited/cancelled

Non-vested at December 31, 2019

Shares lost based on actual performance

Vested

Forfeited/cancelled

Non-vested at December 31, 2020

Performance-Based Units (cash-based)

Number of 
MCPSUs

Weighted-
Average Grant 
Date Fair Value 
Per Share

193  $ 

194  $ 

(35)  $ 

(23)  $ 

(21)  $ 

308  $ 

235  $ 

(153)  $ 

(64)  $ 

(52)  $ 

274  $ 

(110)  $ 

—  $ 

(144)  $ 

20  $ 

56.23 

37.76 

37.76 

62.53 

49.66 

46.74 

31.41 

31.41 

42.12 

40.93 

40.81 

34.35 

— 

58.89 

34.35 

In 2020, PBUs valued at $1.00 per unit and payable in cash, were awarded to key employees and cliff vest at the end 
of three years, subject to continued service and the attainment of performance conditions.  The PBUs represent the contingent 
right to receive a cash payment of performance units equal to a portion, all or a multiple (not to exceed 200%) of the target 
value.  Fifty percent of the PBUs vest based on the achievement of Packaging Gross Profit Dollar Growth targets, which were 
set at the beginning of 2020.  Packaging Gross Profit Dollar Growth is defined as: net sales for the Packaging reportable 
segment less the cost of product sold, excluding the impact of LIFO inventory accounting and certain other adjustments.  The 
remaining 50% of the PBUs vest based on the achievement of Return on Invested Capital targets, which were set at the 
beginning of 2020.  Return on Invested Capital is defined as: (Net Operating Profit) divided by (the sum of net working 
capital and property and equipment).  Net Operating Profit is defined as: (Adjusted EBITDA less depreciation and 
amortization) times (1 minus the standard tax rate).  The standard tax rate used in 2020 was 26%.  The maximum PBU payout 
based on the achievement of Packaging Gross Profit Dollar Growth and Return on Invested Capital targets is 180% of the 
target values.  The PBUs are then subject to an adjustment of 20 percentage points (increase or decrease) based on the 
Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of an applicable peer group.  The maximum total payout that can be earned, including 
the 20% relative TSR modifier, is 200% of the target value.   The PBUs are classified as a non-current liability and are 
remeasured at each reporting date. Compensation expense is recognized ratably from the grant date to the vesting date for the 
number of awards expected to vest.

A summary of activity related to non-vested PBUs is presented below:

(units in thousands)

Non-vested at December 31, 2019

Granted

PBUs gained based on actual performance 

Vested

Forfeited/cancelled

Non-vested at December 31, 2020

Number of PBUs

Grant Date Fair 
Value Per Share

—  $ 

11,863  $ 

1,056  $ 

—  $ 

(1,306)  $ 

11,613  $ 

— 

1.00 

1.00 

— 

1.00 

1.00 

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized $17.7 million, $14.6 million and 

$18.1 million, respectively, in expense related to the aforementioned stock-based long-term incentive awards.  For the year 
ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $6.5 million in expense related to the aforementioned cash-based long-
term incentive awards.  The income tax benefit recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018 related to the stock-based long-term 
incentive compensation expense was $4.6 million, $3.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively.  The income tax benefit 
recognized in 2020 related to the cash-based long-term incentive compensation expense was $1.7 million.  As of December 
31, 2020, total unrecognized long-term incentive compensation expense was $16.1 million and is expected to be recognized 
over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.0 years.  Unrecognized compensation expense for the 2021 tranche of the 
PSU awards is estimated based on the Company's closing stock price at December 31, 2020.  Dividends are not paid or 
accrued on unvested stock units.  The grant date fair values are not reduced for dividends as none are expected to be paid 
during the vesting period.

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is involved in various lawsuits, claims and regulatory and administrative 

proceedings arising out of its business relating to general commercial and contractual matters, governmental regulations, 
intellectual property rights, labor and employment matters, tax and other actions.

Although the ultimate outcome of any legal proceeding or investigation cannot be predicted with certainty, based on 
present information, including the Company's assessment of the merits of the particular claim, the Company does not expect 
that any asserted or unasserted legal claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse 
effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund

During the second quarter of 2019, in the course of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement, Veritiv 
negotiated a partial withdrawal from the Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund (the "Western 
Pennsylvania Fund"), a MEPP related to its Warrendale, Pennsylvania location, and recognized an estimated partial 
withdrawal liability of $6.5 million, which was unchanged as of December 31, 2020.  The withdrawal charge was recorded in 
distribution expenses as it was not related to a restructuring activity. 

During the first quarter of 2020, Veritiv negotiated the complete withdrawal from the Western Pennsylvania Fund 

related to the second bargaining unit at its Warrendale, Pennsylvania location and recognized an estimated complete 
withdrawal liability of $7.1 million, which was unchanged as of December 31, 2020.  The withdrawal charge was recorded in 
distribution expenses as it was not related to a restructuring activity. 

The Company records an estimated undiscounted charge when it becomes probable that it has incurred a withdrawal 

liability.  Final charges for MEPP withdrawals are not known until the plans issue their respective determinations.  As a 
result, these estimates may increase or decrease depending upon the final determinations.  As of December 31, 2020, the 
Company has not yet received the determination letters for the partial and subsequent full withdrawal from the Western 
Pennsylvania Fund. The Company expects that payments will occur over an approximate 20-year period, which could run 
consecutively.

98

16. SEGMENT AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following tables present net sales, Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and 

amortization, restructuring charges, net, integration and acquisition expenses and other similar charges including any 
severance costs, costs associated with warehouse and office openings or closings, consolidation, and relocation and other 
business optimization expenses, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the LIFO reserve, non-restructuring asset 
impairment charges, non-restructuring severance charges, non-restructuring pension charges, net, fair value adjustments 
related to contingent liabilities assumed in mergers and acquisitions and certain other adjustments), which is the metric 
management uses to assess operating performance of the segments, and certain other measures for each of the reportable 
segments and Corporate & Other for the periods presented:

(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 
2020

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and 
amortization

Restructuring charges, net

Year Ended December 31, 
2019

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and 
amortization

Restructuring charges, net

Year Ended December 31, 
2018

Net sales

Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and 
amortization

Restructuring charges, net

Packaging

Facility 
Solutions

Print

Publishing

Total 
Reportable 
Segments

Corporate 
& Other

Total

$  3,316.7  $ 

922.3  $  1,458.2  $ 

543.5  $ 

6,240.7  $ 

104.9  $  6,345.6 

300.0 

41.6 

22.5 

16.0 

7.9 

5.1 

33.7 

7.6 

23.8 

12.8 

388.1 

(200.5) 

0.2 

0.0 

38.2 

44.9 

19.5 

7.3 

57.7 

52.2 

3,446.3 

1,181.8 

2,104.6 

243.5 

18.9 

10.3 

33.1 

7.0 

14.7 

43.1 

8.4 

7.2 

798.0 

21.4 

7,530.7 

341.1 

0.5 

(9.1)   

34.8 

23.1 

128.7 

  7,659.4 

(185.2) 

18.7 

5.7 

53.5 

28.8 

3,547.1 

1,311.7 

2,676.7 

1,019.2 

246.7 

29.0 

19.2 

4.7 

6.8 

3.4 

64.0 

8.8 

12.1 

24.6 

0.8 

0.7 

8,554.7 

364.3 

35.6 

20.9 

141.5 

  8,696.2 

(178.9) 

17.9 

0.4 

53.5 

21.3 

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) as reflected on the Consolidated Statements of 

Operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments:

$ 

(in millions)
Net income (loss)
Interest expense, net
Income tax expense (benefit)
Depreciation and amortization
Restructuring charges, net
Facility closure charges, including (gain) loss from asset disposition
Stock-based compensation
LIFO reserve (decrease) increase
Non-restructuring asset impairment charges
Non-restructuring severance charges
Non-restructuring pension charges, net
Integration and acquisition expenses
Fair value adjustment on TRA contingent liability
Fair value adjustment on contingent consideration liability
Escheat audit contingent liability
Other
Adjustment for Corporate & Other

Adjusted EBITDA for reportable segments

$ 

Year Ended December 31,
2019

2018

2020

34.2  $ 
25.1 
8.8 
57.7 
52.2 
(3.7)   
17.7 
(1.5)   
— 
4.1 
7.2 
— 
(19.1)   
1.0 
(0.2)   
4.1 
200.5 

388.1  $ 

(29.5)  $ 
38.1 
0.7 
53.5 
28.8 
— 
14.6 
(3.7)   
— 
8.4 
6.6 
17.5 
0.3 
13.1 
3.7 
3.8 
185.2 

341.1  $ 

(15.7) 
42.3 
5.5 
53.5 
21.3 
— 
18.1 
19.9 
0.4 
4.9 
11.3 
31.8 
(1.2) 
(12.3) 
2.5 
3.1 
178.9 

364.3 

The table below summarizes total assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019: 

(in millions)

Packaging

Facility Solutions

Print

Publishing

Corporate & Other

Total assets   

2020

2019

1,332.9 

$ 

1,290.2 

314.7 

424.2 

104.7 

158.5 

324.4 

610.3 

123.9 

162.3 

2,335.0 

$ 

2,511.1 

$ 

$ 

The following table presents net sales as well as property and equipment and operating lease ROU assets, which are 

shown net of accumulated depreciation and or accumulated amortization, by geographic area:

Net Sales
Year Ended December 31,

Property and 
Equipment
As of December 31,

Operating Lease 
ROU Assets
As of December 31,

(in millions)

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

2020

2019

U.S.

Canada

Rest of world

$ 

5,521.8  $ 

6,779.6  $ 

7,800.9 

$ 

149.4  $ 

174.3 

$ 

311.8  $ 

383.4 

650.9 

172.9 

699.4 

180.4 

712.7 

182.6 

42.3 

3.0 

39.1 

3.5 

30.6 

9.3 

34.9 

10.9 

Total

$ 

6,345.6  $ 

7,659.4  $ 

8,696.2 

$ 

194.7  $ 

216.9 

$ 

351.7  $ 

429.2 

No single customer accounted for more than 5% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.  

During the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 30% of our purchases were made from ten suppliers.

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,262.4 

21.1 

15.89

16.21

1,642.3 

1,311.4 

32.0 

15.89

16.80

17. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

The unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2020 and 2019 are summarized below:

2020

Three Months Ended

(in millions, except per share data)

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Net sales

Cost of products sold

Net income (loss)

$ 

1,707.3  $ 
1,359.6 

1,106.8 

1,404.8  $ 

1,591.2  $ 

(0.4)   

(18.5)   

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

16.16

16.16

15.91

15.91

Earnings (loss) per share (1):

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$ 

(0.02)  $ 

(1.16)  $ 

1.33  $ 

2.01 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

1.90 
(1) See Note 12, Earning (Loss) Per Share, for discussion about the shares of common stock utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) 
per share for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(1.16)  $ 

(0.02)  $ 

1.30  $ 

$ 

2019

Three Months Ended

(in millions, except per share data)

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Net sales

Cost of products sold

Net income (loss)

$ 

1,941.5  $ 

1,958.2  $ 

1,924.5  $ 

1,591.4 

1,584.3 

(26.7)   

(11.3)   

1,550.8 

5.1 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

15.94

15.94

16.09

16.09

16.10

16.24

1,835.2 

1,479.7 

3.4 

16.10

16.40

Earnings (loss) per share (1):
Basic earnings (loss) per share

$ 

(1.68)  $ 

(0.70)  $ 

0.32  $ 

0.21 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

0.21 
(1) See Note 12, Earnings (Loss) Per Share, for discussion about the shares of common stock utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) 
per share for the year ended December 31, 2019.

(1.68)  $ 

(0.70)  $ 

0.31  $ 

$ 

See the table below for the quarterly breakdown of restructuring charges, net and integration expenses:

(in millions)

Restructuring charges, net

(in millions)

Restructuring charges, net

Integration expenses

March 31

March 31

$ 

$ 

2020
Three Months Ended
June 30

September 30

December 31

—  $ 

32.5  $ 

7.9  $ 

11.8 

2019
Three Months Ended
June 30

September 30

December 31

2.4  $ 

4.3 

6.9  $ 

4.5 

7.6  $ 

4.5 

11.9 

4.2 

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On March 3, 2021, Veritiv announced that its Board of Directors authorized a $50 million share repurchase program.  

Under this program the Company may purchase shares of its common stock through open market transactions, privately 
negotiated transactions, forward, derivative, or accelerated repurchase transactions, tender offers or otherwise, in accordance 
with all applicable securities laws and regulations.  This authorization replaces the $25 million share repurchase authorization 
previously approved by the Board of Directors in March 2020 and may be suspended, terminated, increased or decreased by 
the Board at any time.

102

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of 

the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), designed to ensure that information required to be 
disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.  The Company's management, with the participation of the 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls 
and procedures as of December 31, 2020.  Based on that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.

Management necessarily applies its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, 
which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives. The Company's 
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure 
controls and procedures can prevent all possible errors or fraud.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and 
operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that 
all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  Judgments in decision-making can 
be faulty and breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the 
individual acts of one or more persons.  The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about 
the likelihood of future events, and while our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to be effective under 
circumstances where they should reasonably be expected to operate effectively, there can be no assurance that any design will 
succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Because of the inherent limitations in any control 
system, misstatements due to possible errors or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2020 that 

have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting. 

Management's Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements

The management of Veritiv Corporation is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The financial statements were prepared in conformity 
with U.S. GAAP appropriate in the circumstances and, accordingly, include certain amounts based on our best judgments and 
estimates.  Financial information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is consistent with that in the financial statements.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of our Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over 
financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.  Our internal control over 
financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Our internal control over financial reporting is supported by a program 
of internal audits and appropriate reviews by management, written policies and guidelines, careful selection and training of 
qualified personnel and a written code of conduct adopted by our Board of Directors that is applicable to all officers and 
employees of our Company and subsidiaries, as well as a code of conduct that is applicable to all of our directors.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements 

and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement 

103

preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.

Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of 

our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020.  The scope of management's assessment of the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting includes all of the Company's businesses.  In making this assessment 
on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, management used the criteria 
set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in  Internal Control — 
Integrated Framework (2013 Framework).  Based on our assessment, management has concluded that internal controls over 
financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2020.

Our independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, are appointed 

by the Audit and Finance Committee of our Board of Directors.  Deloitte & Touche LLP has audited and reported on the 
Consolidated Financial Statements of Veritiv Corporation, and has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our 
internal control over financial reporting.  The report of the independent registered public accounting firm is contained in this 
Annual Report.

Audit and Finance Committee Responsibility

The Audit and Finance Committee of our Board of Directors, composed solely of directors who are independent in 
accordance with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange listing standards, the Exchange Act and our Corporate 
Governance Guidelines, meets with the independent auditors, management and internal auditors periodically to discuss 
internal control over financial reporting and auditing and financial reporting matters.  The Audit and Finance Committee 
reviews with the independent auditors the scope and results of the audit effort.  The Audit and Finance Committee also meets 
periodically with the independent auditors and the chief internal auditor without management present to ensure that the 
independent auditors and the chief internal auditor have free access to the Audit and Finance Committee.  Our Audit and 
Finance Committee's Report can be found in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 
28, 2021, which will be filed on or about March 17, 2021.  

104

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and Board of Directors of Veritiv Corporation

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Veritiv Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of 
December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in 
all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of the Company and our 
report dated March 3, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion  

The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its 
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's 
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's 
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and 
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in 
all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the 
risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on 
the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our 
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures 
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the 
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or 
disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
March 3, 2021

105

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable. 

106

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

(a)  Directors of the Company.

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the heading "Proposal 1 – Election of Directors." 

(b)  Executive Officers of the Company.

This information can be found under "Information About Our Executive Officers" in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

(c)  Audit Committee Financial Experts.

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the heading "Corporate Governance—Board 
Committees."

(d)  Identification and Composition of the Audit and Finance Committee.

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the heading "Corporate Governance—Board 
Committees."

(e)  Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.

Not applicable.

(f)  Code of Ethics.

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the heading "Corporate Governance—Corporate 
Governance Principles."

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the headings "Executive Compensation" and "Corporate 
Governance—Director Compensation."

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the headings "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
Owners and Management" and "Executive Compensation—Equity Compensation Plans."

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR 
INDEPENDENCE

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the headings "Corporate Governance—Related Person 
Transaction Policy" and "Corporate Governance—Director Independence."

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

This information is incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed subsequent to the filing of this report under the heading "Principal Accountant Fees and Services."

107

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)  The following documents are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K:

1.  Financial Statements:

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

2.  Financial Statement Schedules:

All schedules have been omitted as the required information is included in the footnotes or not applicable.

Exhibit No. Description
2.1+

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 28, 2014, by and among International Paper 
Company, Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a/ xpedx Holding Company), xpedx Intermediate, LLC, xpedx, LLC, 
UWW Holdings, LLC, UWW Holdings, Inc. and Unisource Worldwide, Inc., incorporated by reference 
from Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-193950) filed on 
April 4, 2014.

2.2

2.3

2.4+

2.5

3.1

3.2

3.3

4.1

10.1

Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 28, 2014, by and among 
International Paper Company, Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a xpedx Holding Company), xpedx Intermediate, 
LLC, xpedx, LLC, UWW Holdings, LLC, UWW Holdings, Inc. and Unisource Worldwide, Inc., 
incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File 
No. 333-193950) filed on June 5, 2014.

Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 4, 2014, by and among 
International Paper Company, Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a) xpedx Holding Company), xpedx Intermediate, 
LLC, xpedx, LLC, UWW Holdings, LLC, UWW Holdings, Inc. and Unisource Worldwide, Inc., 
incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File 
No. 333-193950) filed on June 5, 2014.

Contribution and Distribution Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2014, by and among International 
Paper Company, Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a/ xpedx Holding Company), UWW Holdings, Inc. and UWW 
Holdings, LLC, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on 
Form S-1 (File No. 333-193950) filed on April 4, 2014.

Amendment No. 1 to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, dated May 28, 2014, by and among 
International Paper Company, Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a xpedx Holding Company), UWW Holdings, Inc. 
and UWW Holdings, LLC, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant’s Registration 
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-193950) filed on June 5, 2014.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Veritiv Corporation, incorporated by reference 
from Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2014.

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Veritiv Corporation, 
incorporate by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 
13, 2016.

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Veritiv Corporation, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the 
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2018

Description of the Registrant's Securities, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2020.

Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, as amended as of August 11, 
2016 and as amended and restated as of April 9, 2020, by and among Veritiv Corporation, Veritiv 
Operating Company (f/k/a Unisource Worldwide, Inc.) and the other borrowers from time to time parties 
thereto, the several lenders and financial institutions from time to time parties thereto, Bank of America, 
N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders party thereto, and the other parties 
thereto, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on April 14, 2020.

108

Exhibit No. Description
10.2

U.S. Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, made by xpedx Intermediate, LLC, 
xpedx, LLC, the Subsidiary Borrowers and the U.S. Guarantors parties thereto and Veritiv Corporation, 
in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as 
defined therein), together with the Assumption and Supplemental Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, 
made by Veritiv Corporation, Alco Realty, Inc., Graph Comm Holdings International, Inc., Graphic 
Communications Holdings, Inc., Paper Corporation of North America, Unisource International Holdings, 
Inc., Unisource International Holdings Poland, Inc., and Unisource Worldwide, Inc., in favor of Bank of 
America, N.A., as collateral agent and as administrative agent, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2014.

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6†

10.7†

10.8†

10.9†

10.10†

10.11†

10.12†

10.13†

10.14†

10.15†

10.16†

10.17†

10.18†

Canadian Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, made by Unisource Canada, Inc. 
and the Canadian Guarantors parties thereto, in favour of Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent 
and collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined therein), incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2014.

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, between UWW Holdings, LLC and Veritiv 
Corporation, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed on July 3, 2014.

Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2014, by and among International Paper Company, 
Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a/ xpedx Holding Company) and UWW Holdings, Inc., incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 
333-193950) filed on February 14, 2014.

Employment Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2017, between Veritiv Corporation and Mary A. 
Laschinger, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed on January 5, 2018.

Offer Letter, dated as of February 13, 2014, between Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a xpedx Holding Company) 
and Stephen J. Smith, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q filed 
on August 14, 2014.

Offer Letter, dated as of September 16, 2016, between Veritiv Operating Company and Tracy L. Pearson 
incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant's Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2018.

Addendum to Offer Letter, dated November 15, 2016, between Veritiv Operating Company and Tracy L. 
Pearson incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant's Form 10-K filed on March 1, 
2018.

Offer Letter, dated as of February 15, 2018, between Veritiv Operating Company and Salvatore Abbate, 
incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant's Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2019. 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between Veritiv Corporation (f/k/a xpedx Holding Company) and 
each of its directors, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration 
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-193950) filed on June 11, 2014.

Veritiv Corporation 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, effective March 8, 2017, 
incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A 
filed on April 13, 2017.

Veritiv Corporation Deferred Compensation Savings Plan, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.20 
to the Registrant's Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2014.

Form of Director Deferred Share Unit Award Agreement, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.21 
to the Registrant's Form 10-K filed on March 24, 2015.

Form of Director Deferred Share Unit Award Agreement (Stock-Settled Award), incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2016.

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.22 to the 
Registrant's Form 10-K filed on March 24, 2015.

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (Adjusted EBITDA Performance Shares), incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant's Form 10-K filed on March 24, 2015.

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (Relative TSR Performance Shares), incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's Form 10-K filed on March 24, 2015.

109

Exhibit No. Description

10.19†

10.20†

10.21†

10.22†

10.23†

10.24†

21.1*

23.1*

31.1*

31.2*

32.1*

32.2*

2015 Veritiv Corporation Annual Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, effective March 8, 2017 
incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A 
filed on April 13, 2017.

Separation Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2019, by and between Veritiv Corporation and Thomas 
S. Lazzaro, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed on December 9, 2019.

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (2020 revision), incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
10.24 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2020.

Form of Performance-Based Unit Award Agreement (ROIC, Packaging Gross Profit Dollar Growth & 
Relative TSR Modifier), incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant's Annual Report 
on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2020.

Separation Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2020 by and between Veritiv Corporation and Mary A. 
Laschinger, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed on September 21, 2020.

Veritiv Corporation Executive Severance Plan, as amended and restated, effective September 30, 2020, 
incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
September 21, 2020.

List of Subsidiaries.

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because 
its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

+ Omitted schedules will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request

† Management contract or compensatory plans or arrangements

* Filed herewith

110

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

111

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused 
this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 3, 2021.

SIGNATURES

VERITIV CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By: /s/ Salvatore A. Abbate

Name: Salvatore A. Abbate

Title: Chief Executive Officer and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on 
behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 3, 2021.

(i)

Principal executive officer:

/s/ Salvatore A. Abbate
Salvatore A. Abbate

(ii)

Principal financial officer:

/s/ Stephen J. Smith
Stephen J. Smith

(iii) Principal accounting officer:

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Andrew E. Magley
Andrew E. Magley

Chief Accounting Officer

(iv) Directors:

/s/ Stephen E. Macadam
Stephen E. Macadam

/s/ Shantella E. Cooper
Shantella E. Cooper

/s/ David E. Flitman
David E. Flitman

/s/ Daniel T. Henry
Daniel T. Henry

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Director

Director

Director

/s/ Tracy A. Leinbach

Director

Tracy A. Leinbach

/s/ Michael P. Muldowney
Michael P. Muldowney

/s/ Charles G. Ward, III
Charles G. Ward, III

Director

Director

112

Keisha Grigsby
Accounting Specialist
Houston, Texas

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

TRANSFER AGENT  
& REGISTRAR

INVESTOR
CONTACT

Computershare
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233-5000
computershare.com/investor
866.276.9370

Scott Palfreeman
Director, Finance and  
Investor Relations 

investor@veritivcorp.com  
844.845.2136

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED 
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 
FOR 2020

Deloitte & Touche LLP 
Atlanta, GA

ANNUAL REPORT &  
FORM 10-K COPIES

Copies of the Annual Report  
and Form 10-K are available 
and may be obtained by 
contacting:

ANNUAL MEETING

The Veritiv Corporation 
Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders will be held 
on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 

Veritiv Corporation
c/o Investor Relations
1000 Abernathy Rd. NE
Building 400, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30328

844.845.2136
ir.veritivcorp.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this report regarding the 
Company’s future operating results, performance, business 
plans, prospects, guidance and any other statements not 
constituting historical fact are “forward-looking statements” 
subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities 
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements 
reflect only the Company’s current beliefs and assumptions 
with respect to future operating results, performance, 
business plans, prospects, guidance and other matters, and 
are based on information currently available to the Company. 
Accordingly, the statements are subject to significant risks, 
uncertainties and contingencies, which could cause the 
Company’s actual operating results, performance or business 
plans or prospects to differ materially from those expressed 
in, or implied by, these statements. For a detailed discussion 
of specific risks and uncertainties that could cause actual 
results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking 
statements, see the information under the heading “Risk 
Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2020, which is included in this report, 
and in other filings we make with the SEC. The Company 
undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-
looking statements, whether as a result of new information, 
future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In 
addition, historical information should not be considered as 
an indicator of future performance.

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1000 Abernathy Rd. NE

Building 400, Suite 1700

Atlanta, GA 30328

veritivcorp.com

LinkedIn.com/company/ Veritiv

Facebook.com/ VeritivCorp

Twitter.com/ Veritiv 

Twitter.com/ VeritivIR

Printed on Endurance® Silk Cover & 80 lb. Text.

© 2021 Veritiv Corporation. All rights reserved. Veritiv, the Veritiv logo and 
Endurance are trademarks of Veritiv Corporation or its affiliates.

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