Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is advising International Paper in the combination of its xpedx distribution solutions business with Unisource in a “Reverse Morris Trust” transaction. The transaction will result in the creation of a new publicly traded company, 51% of which will be owned by International Paper’s shareholders and 49% of which will be owned by UWW Holdings, LLC, the holding company that owns Unisource and is owned by an affiliate of Bain Capital and by Georgia-Pacific, as well as certain of their affiliates.

International Paper is a global leader in packaging and paper with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers. Cincinnati, Ohio-based xpedx is one of the largest business-to-business distribution companies in North America.

The Debevoise team is led by partners Michael A. Diz and Jeffrey J. Rosen and includes partners David H. Schnabel, Peter J. Loughran, Jonathan F. Lewis, Pierre Maugüé and Jeffrey P. Cunard and associates Elizabeth W. Whiston, Andrew G. Jamieson and Michael Bolotin.