<PAGE>
 
                                                      Registration No.
                       --------------------------------

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                              ------------------

                                   FORM S-8
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                       Under The Securities Act of 1933

                              ------------------

                           ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION
              (exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

          OHIO                                           23-0334400
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
                                 P.O. BOX 834
                       VALLEY FORGE, PENNSYLVANIA  19482
              (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

                         ---------------------------

                           ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION
                               STOCK AWARD PLAN
                           (Full title of the Plan)
                        ------------------------------

                               J. Kenneth Croney
                      Vice President - Law and Secretary

                           Alco Standard Corporation
                                    Box 834
                       Valley Forge, Pennsylvania  19482
                    (Name and address of agent for service)

                                (610) 296-8000

         (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                         -----------------------------

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                   Proposed       Proposed
                                   maximum        maximum
  Title of         Amount          offering       aggregate        Amount of
securities to      to be           price          offering         registration
be registered      registered      per unit*      price*               fee  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>  
Interests in
the Plan   
- --------

Common Stock       200,000         $60.56         $12,112,000      $ 4,176
without
par value
                                                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
*Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant 
 to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h).  
 The prospectus referenced herein also relates to the registration statement on 
 Form S-8, Registration Statement No.33-48376.
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART I
                                    ------

Item 1. Plan Information
- ------------------------

        A prospectus setting forth the information required by Part I of Form 
S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1).

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

        The documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this 
Form S-8 are incorporated by reference in the Section 10(a) prospectus relating
to this registration statement. The foregoing documents and all other documents
required to be delivered to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) are available
without charge, upon written or oral request, to Alco Standard Corporation, P.O.
Box 834, Valley Forge, PA 19482, Attn: Corporate Communications Department
(telephone number: (610) 296-8000).


                                    PART II
                                    -------

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
- -----------------------------------------------

        The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference by the Registrant and the Plan
in this registration statement:

        (a)     The Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
September 30, 1993 (as amended by its Form 10-K/A dated May 5, 1994);

        (b)     The Registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended December 31, 1993 (as amended by its Form 10-Q/A dated May 5, 1994);

        (c)     The Registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 1994;

        (d)     The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 1994;

        (e)     The Registrant's registration statement on Form 8-A, relating 
to the Registrant's preferred share purchase rights; and

        (f)     Description of the Registrant's common stock contained in a 
registration statement filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such 
description.

        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment indicating that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement
and to be part thereof from the date of filing of such documents.
<PAGE>
 
Item 4. Description of Securities
- ---------------------------------

        Not Applicable.


Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
- ----------------------------------------------

        Not Applicable.


Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
- -------------------------------------------------

        The Ohio General Corporation Law (the Ohio Law"), under which the 
Registrant is organized, provides that the Registrant may indemnify persons who
incur certain liabilities or expenses by reason of such persons being or having
been directors, officers or employees of the Registrant or serving or having
served in such capacities or similar capacities at the Registrant's request for
other corporations or entities. Pursuant to the Ohio Law, the Registrant has
adopted, as part of its Code of Regulations, provisions whereby the Registrant
shall indemnify such persons against such liabilities and expenses resulting
from suits or other proceedings brought by third persons and against expenses
resulting from suits or other proceedings brought in the right of the
Registrant. No indemnification against expenses is to be made, however, in
respect of claims brought in the right of the Registrant where: i) such person
is finally adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance
of a duty to the Registrant, unless specific court approval for such
indemnification is obtained; or ii) the only liability asserted against a
director is pursuant to Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Law (relating to unlawful
loans, dividends or distributions of assets).

        As permitted by law, the Registrant has purchased liability insurance 
policies covering its directors and officers to provide protection where the law
does not allow the Registrant to indemnify a director or officer. The policies
also provide coverage for indemnifiable expenses, including expenses related to
claims arising under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act against a
director or officer based upon an alleged breach of fiduciary duty or other
wrongful act with respect to an employee benefit plan.


Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
- -------------------------------------------

        Not applicable.


Item 8. Exhibits
- ----------------

        (4)     Alco Standard Corporation Stock Award Plan.

        (4.1)   Form of Certificate for Shares of Common Stock (incorporated 
        herein by reference to Form S-3 of the registrant, Registration
        Statement No. 33-62460, Exhibit (4.2).

        (4.2)   Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1988 between 
        Alco Standard Corporation and National City Bank (incorporated
        herein by reference to Form 8-A of the registrant, Exhibit 1, 
        filed on February 11, 1988).

        (23)    Consent of Independent Auditors.

        (24)    Powers of Attorney.

        (24)(a) Certified resolution regarding Powers of Attorney.
<PAGE>
 
Item 9. Undertakings
- --------------------

        (a)     The Registrant hereby undertakes:

                (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                        (i)    To include any prospectus required by Section 
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                        (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;

                        (iii)   To include any material information with 
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;

        Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not 
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

                (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability 
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                (3)     To remove from registration by means of a 
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering.

        (b)     The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of 
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressly
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

        The Registrant.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on the 28th day of July 1994.



                                             ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION



Date:  July 28, 1994                         By: /s/Michael J. Dillon
                                             ------------------------------
                                                 (Michael J. Dillon)
                                                 (Principal Accounting Officer)


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



            Signature                    Title                         Date    
            ---------                    -----                         ----


        *RAY B. MUNDT                 Chairman                     July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Ray B. Mundt)


        *JOHN E. STUART               President, Chief Executive   July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------      Officer and Director
        (John E. Stuart)                     


        *KURT E. DINKELACKER          Chief Financial Officer      July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Kurt E. Dinkelacker


       /s/Michael J. Dillon           Controller                   July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------      (Principal Accounting 
        (Michael J. Dillon)            Officer)         


        *J. MAHLON BUCK, JR.          Director                     July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (J. Mahlon Buck, Jr.)
<PAGE>
 
            Signature                    Title                         Date
            ---------                    -----                         ----

        *PAUL J. DARLING, II             Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Paul J. Darling, II)


        *WILLIAM F. DRAKE, JR.           Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (William F. Drake, Jr.)


        *JAMES J. FORESE                 Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (James J. Forese)


        *FREDERICK S. HAMMER             Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Frederick S. Hammer) 
        

   *BARBARA BARNES HAUPTFUHRER           Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
   (Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer)    
        

        *DANA G. MEAD                    Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Dana G. Mead)

        *PAUL C. O'NEILL                 Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Paul C. O'Neill)    
        

        *ROGELIO G. SADA                 Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Rogelio G. Sada)    
        

        *JAMES W. STRATTON               Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (James W. Stratton)  
        



        *By his signature set forth below, Hugh G. Moulton, pursuant to duly 
executed Powers of Attorney duly filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, has signed this report on behalf of the persons whose signatures are
printed above, in the capacities set forth opposite their respective names.


      /s/Hugh G. Moulton                                           July 28, 1994
 -------------------------------
      (Hugh G. Moulton)
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


        The Plan.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 
the Alco Standard Corporation Stock Award Plan has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on the 28th day of July, 1994.




                                                Alco Standard Corporation
                                                     Stock Award Plan



                                                     /s/Maryanne Messenger
                                                  ---------------------------  
                                                      (Maryanne Messenger)
                                                       Plan Administrator
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibits                                                                  Page
- --------                                                                  ----

(4.0)  Stock Award Plan

(4.1)  Form of Certificate for Shares of Common Stock (incorporated
       herein by reference to Form S-3 of the registrant, Registration 
       Statement No. 33-62460, EXhibit (4.2).

(4.2)  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1988 between
       Alco Standard Corporation and National City Bank (incorporated
       herein by reference to Form 8-A of the registrant, Exhibit 1,
       filed on February 11, 1988).

(23)   Consent of Ernst & Young, Independent Auditors.

(24)   Powers of Attorney.

(24.1) Certified resolution regarding Powers of Attorney.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17946}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ALCO STANDARD CORP", "cik": "0000003370", "assigned-sic": "5110", "irs-number": "230334400", "state-of-incorporation": "OH", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "033-54781", "film-number": "94540530"}, "business-address": {"street1": "P O BOX 834", "city": "VALLEY FORGE", "state": "PA", "zip": "19482", "phone": "2152968000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "BOX 834", "city": "VALLEY FORGE", "state": "PA", "zip": "19482"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ALCO CHEMICAL CORP", "date-changed": "19680218"}}
Registration No.
                       --------------------------------

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                              ------------------

                                   FORM S-8
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                       Under The Securities Act of 1933

                              ------------------

                           ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION
              (exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

          OHIO                                           23-0334400
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
                                 P.O. BOX 834
                       VALLEY FORGE, PENNSYLVANIA  19482
              (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

                         ---------------------------

                           ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION
                               STOCK AWARD PLAN
                           (Full title of the Plan)
                        ------------------------------

                               J. Kenneth Croney
                      Vice President - Law and Secretary

                           Alco Standard Corporation
                                    Box 834
                       Valley Forge, Pennsylvania  19482
                    (Name and address of agent for service)

                                (610) 296-8000

         (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                         -----------------------------

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed       Proposed
                                   maximum        maximum
  Title of         Amount          offering       aggregate        Amount of
securities to      to be           price          offering         registration
be registered      registered      per unit*      price*               fee  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interests in
the Plan   
- --------

Common Stock       200,000         $60.56         $12,112,000      $ 4,176
without
par value
                                                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant 
 to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h).  
 The prospectus referenced herein also relates to the registration statement on 
 Form S-8, Registration Statement No.33-48376.
PART I
                                    ------

Item 1. Plan Information
- ------------------------

        A prospectus setting forth the information required by Part I of Form 
S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1).

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

        The documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this 
Form S-8 are incorporated by reference in the Section 10(a) prospectus relating
to this registration statement. The foregoing documents and all other documents
required to be delivered to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) are available
without charge, upon written or oral request, to Alco Standard Corporation, P.O.
Box 834, Valley Forge, PA 19482, Attn: Corporate Communications Department
(telephone number: (610) 296-8000).

                                    PART II
                                    -------

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
- -----------------------------------------------

        The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference by the Registrant and the Plan
in this registration statement:

        (a)     The Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
September 30, 1993 (as amended by its Form 10-K/A dated May 5, 1994);

        (b)     The Registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended December 31, 1993 (as amended by its Form 10-Q/A dated May 5, 1994);

        (c)     The Registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 1994;

        (d)     The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 1994;

        (e)     The Registrant's registration statement on Form 8-A, relating 
to the Registrant's preferred share purchase rights; and

        (f)     Description of the Registrant's common stock contained in a 
registration statement filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such 
description.

        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment indicating that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement
and to be part thereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities
- ---------------------------------

        Not Applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
- ----------------------------------------------

        Not Applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
- -------------------------------------------------

        The Ohio General Corporation Law (the Ohio Law"), under which the 
Registrant is organized, provides that the Registrant may indemnify persons who
incur certain liabilities or expenses by reason of such persons being or having
been directors, officers or employees of the Registrant or serving or having
served in such capacities or similar capacities at the Registrant's request for
other corporations or entities. Pursuant to the Ohio Law, the Registrant has
adopted, as part of its Code of Regulations, provisions whereby the Registrant
shall indemnify such persons against such liabilities and expenses resulting
from suits or other proceedings brought by third persons and against expenses
resulting from suits or other proceedings brought in the right of the
Registrant. No indemnification against expenses is to be made, however, in
respect of claims brought in the right of the Registrant where: i) such person
is finally adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance
of a duty to the Registrant, unless specific court approval for such
indemnification is obtained; or ii) the only liability asserted against a
director is pursuant to Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Law (relating to unlawful
loans, dividends or distributions of assets).

        As permitted by law, the Registrant has purchased liability insurance 
policies covering its directors and officers to provide protection where the law
does not allow the Registrant to indemnify a director or officer. The policies
also provide coverage for indemnifiable expenses, including expenses related to
claims arising under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act against a
director or officer based upon an alleged breach of fiduciary duty or other
wrongful act with respect to an employee benefit plan.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
- -------------------------------------------

        Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits
- ----------------

        (4)     Alco Standard Corporation Stock Award Plan.

        (4.1)   Form of Certificate for Shares of Common Stock (incorporated 
        herein by reference to Form S-3 of the registrant, Registration
        Statement No. 33-62460, Exhibit (4.2).

        (4.2)   Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1988 between 
        Alco Standard Corporation and National City Bank (incorporated
        herein by reference to Form 8-A of the registrant, Exhibit 1, 
        filed on February 11, 1988).

        (23)    Consent of Independent Auditors.

        (24)    Powers of Attorney.

        (24)(a) Certified resolution regarding Powers of Attorney.
Item 9. Undertakings
- --------------------

        (a)     The Registrant hereby undertakes:

                (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                        (i)    To include any prospectus required by Section 
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                        (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;

                        (iii)   To include any material information with 
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;

        Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not 
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

                (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability 
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                (3)     To remove from registration by means of a 
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering.

        (b)     The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of 
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressly
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES

        The Registrant.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on the 28th day of July 1994.

                                             ALCO STANDARD CORPORATION

Date:  July 28, 1994                         By: /s/Michael J. Dillon
                                             ------------------------------
                                                 (Michael J. Dillon)
                                                 (Principal Accounting Officer)

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

            Signature                    Title                         Date    
            ---------                    -----                         ----

        *RAY B. MUNDT                 Chairman                     July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Ray B. Mundt)

        *JOHN E. STUART               President, Chief Executive   July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------      Officer and Director
        (John E. Stuart)                     

        *KURT E. DINKELACKER          Chief Financial Officer      July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Kurt E. Dinkelacker

       /s/Michael J. Dillon           Controller                   July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------      (Principal Accounting 
        (Michael J. Dillon)            Officer)         

        *J. MAHLON BUCK, JR.          Director                     July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (J. Mahlon Buck, Jr.)
Signature                    Title                         Date
            ---------                    -----                         ----

        *PAUL J. DARLING, II             Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Paul J. Darling, II)

        *WILLIAM F. DRAKE, JR.           Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (William F. Drake, Jr.)

        *JAMES J. FORESE                 Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (James J. Forese)

        *FREDERICK S. HAMMER             Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Frederick S. Hammer) 
        

   *BARBARA BARNES HAUPTFUHRER           Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
   (Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer)    
        

        *DANA G. MEAD                    Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Dana G. Mead)

        *PAUL C. O'NEILL                 Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Paul C. O'Neill)    
        

        *ROGELIO G. SADA                 Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (Rogelio G. Sada)    
        

        *JAMES W. STRATTON               Director                  July 28, 1994
- --------------------------------
        (James W. Stratton)  
        

        *By his signature set forth below, Hugh G. Moulton, pursuant to duly 
executed Powers of Attorney duly filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, has signed this report on behalf of the persons whose signatures are
printed above, in the capacities set forth opposite their respective names.

      /s/Hugh G. Moulton                                           July 28, 1994
 -------------------------------
      (Hugh G. Moulton)
SIGNATURES

        The Plan.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 
the Alco Standard Corporation Stock Award Plan has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on the 28th day of July, 1994.

                                                Alco Standard Corporation
                                                     Stock Award Plan

                                                     /s/Maryanne Messenger
                                                  ---------------------------  
                                                      (Maryanne Messenger)
                                                       Plan Administrator
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibits                                                                  Page
- --------                                                                  ----

(4.0)  Stock Award Plan

(4.1)  Form of Certificate for Shares of Common Stock (incorporated
       herein by reference to Form S-3 of the registrant, Registration 
       Statement No. 33-62460, EXhibit (4.2).

(4.2)  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1988 between
       Alco Standard Corporation and National City Bank (incorporated
       herein by reference to Form 8-A of the registrant, Exhibit 1,
       filed on February 11, 1988).

(23)   Consent of Ernst & Young, Independent Auditors.

(24)   Powers of Attorney.

(24.1) Certified resolution regarding Powers of Attorney.