Paper, Packaging Distributors Join Forces

Two major paper distributors are merging. Unisource Worldwide and xpedx will join forces and create a new publicly traded company. The definitive agreement was signed by xpedx parent International Paper and by UWW Holdings, the holding company of Unisource and owned indirectly by an affiliate of Bain Capital and by Georgia-Pacific. Norcross, Ga.-based Unisource is one of the country’s largest privately held companies; it provides product packaging and fulfillment, paper and print management, general supply chain, logistics and facility supplies solutions.

When the merger is completed midyear, the new company will have more than 170 distribution centers in North America and projected annual revenues of $9-$10 billion.