UPM and xpedx Sign Exclusive, Multi-Year Agreement
02 September 2009 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
WESTMONT, Ill., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UPM, the world's
leading producer of graphic papers, has signed an exclusive,
multi-year agreement with xpedx, the largest supplier of paper to
commercial printers in the United States. The agreement makes xpedx
the exclusive merchant supplier of UPM coated freesheet sheet fed
(SF0), coated freesheet web (HSWO) and other UPM coated papers to
commercial printers in the U.S. and Canada. "xpedx customers in the
United States and Canada will immediately benefit from improved
access to all UPM chain-of-custody certified coated papers," said
Rob Watson, Director of Marketing-Printing Papers, xpedx. "We know
that strong demand exists for these high quality UPM products, and
that all customers -- particularly customers with multiple
locations across the country -- will appreciate increased
availability through hundreds of xpedx locations." "The agreement
with xpedx will significantly strengthen UPM's position in the
North American paper market and contributes to our continuing role
as a vital player in this region," said Ruud van den Berg, Senior
Vice President Sales and Marketing for UPM's Paper Business Group.
"We are pleased to be associated with xpedx, a company that shares
UPM's dedication to quality products, an efficient and reliable
supply chain and superior customer service. Customers of xpedx will
benefit from accessibility to certified and sustainable UPM paper
products." The paper stock being supplied to xpedx will be
available immediately through the xpedx multi-channel distribution
network that includes more than 230 distribution centers and
stores, xpedx.com and corporate, national and global account
platforms. The origin of all UPM paper will be ensured with the
internationally-recognized standards of PEFC or FSC. These
standards ensure that 100% of fibre used for UPM's pulp and paper
products is from forests that are managed sustainably. The
chain-of-custody model used by UPM and xpedx meets the requirements
of both FSC and PEFC. All UPM paper imported from Europe will also
carry the European Union's Eco-label, the official EU mark awarded
to greener products. Certifications and EU Eco-Label: -- Chain of
Custody (CoC) verifies that the wood used in a product originates
from certified forests that are responsibly and sustainably
managed. -- PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification Schemes): http://www.pefc.org/ -- FSC (Forest
Stewardship Council): http://www.fsc.org/ -- EU Eco-Label:
http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel and http://www.eco-label.com/ About
UPM UPM's vision is to be the front-runner of the new forest
industry. Our competitiveness is based on cost leadership, change
readiness and leading innovation. Our products are made of
renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three
Business Groups: Energy and Pulp; Paper; and Engineered Materials.
The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production
facilities in 14 countries. In 2008, UPM's sales amounted to EUR
9.5 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock
exchange. http://www.upm-kymmene.com/ About xpedx Cincinnati,
Ohio-based xpedx, a business of International Paper (NYSE: IP), is
one of the largest business-to-business distribution companies in
North America. xpedx distributes a wide variety of printing paper,
graphics, packaging and janitorial-sanitary supplies and equipment
from manufacturers worldwide. Customers include printers and
publishers, manufacturers, retailers, governments and facility
managers. xpedx also does business with the majority of Fortune
1000 companies. xpedx has more than 230 locations across the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico. Other xpedx businesses include publishing
industry suppliers Bulkley Dunton Publishing Group and Strategic
Paper Group; Tampa, Florida-based xpedx Supply Chain Services, a
global provider of third-party logistics services; and
Cincinnati-based Saalfeld Redistribution. xpedx also operates a
network of more than 150 paper and graphics stores, as well as a
new retail e-commerce site at xpedxstores.com. xpedx is one of the
largest providers of post-consumer waste content and recycled
printing papers in North America and has chain-of-custody
certification from FSC, SFI and PEFC at all of its U.S. and
Canadian distribution centers. For more information about xpedx,
visit xpedx.com DATASOURCE: UPM CONTACT: Sharon Pond,
Communications Manager of UPM North America, cell, +1-630-386-2681,
; or Lisa Jonas of xpedx Business Communications, cell,
+1-513-504-9352, Web Site: http://www.xpedx.com/
http://www.upm-kymmene.com/
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