xpedx and Antalis Enter Formal Alliance

Loveland, Ohio, USA, and Paris, France, 26 January 2007 -- /PRNewswire/ -- xpedx today said it has entered into a global sales and service alliance with Paris-based Antalis, which distributes paper and packaging supplies and equipment, as well as visual communication support materials and promotional products, in 37 countries across Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

The new alliance enables xpedx customers in North America to quickly access a wide offering of products and services at their overseas operations, with a single point of contact and with the priority service they receive in their home market.

In turn, Antalis customers in Europe, Asia, South America, and South Africa that have operations in North America can now get their paper, packaging, graphics, and facility supplies and equipment needs fulfilled by xpedx.

xpedx is North America's largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment, and a major provider of packaging and facility supplies and equipment. Antalis is the fourth largest paper and packaging merchant worldwide by sales.

The agreement between xpedx and Antalis took effect 01 January 2007. It is the first formal alliance that enables xpedx to serve its North American paper and packaging customers at their international operations.

"What's important about this alliance is that both xpedx and Antalis customers now have the ability to consolidate and fully leverage their global spending on paper and packaging products," said Art Douville, executive vice president of operations for xpedx. "Customers are also able to closely monitor their total product spending worldwide, and have a single point of contact for procurement."

These are critical needs today for companies with operations in multiple countries or continents. Companies can better manage their spending and realize greater returns on their consumables purchases if their suppliers have global product sourcing, global reach and a presence near their operating locations.

"We chose to align ourselves with Antalis because they offer a high level of service, a large breadth of product, strong environmental standards, many locations and employees on the ground in key global markets," Douville said. "They stand ready to serve xpedx customers that either have operations outside North America-or intend to have them in the future."

Global leadership on environmental issues is another reason the two companies have joined forces. Both Antalis and xpedx have earned the two main chain of custody certifications in their respective markets. Antalis has PEFC and FSC certification while xpedx has SFI and FSC certification. Having chain of custody certifications enable the two companies to serve the environmental reporting needs of all customers.

About xpedx

xpedx, an International Paper company (NYSE:IP), is North America's largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment. It is also a major distributor of packaging supplies and equipment and facility supplies and equipment. xpedx is the largest paper and packaging merchant in the world by revenue, which exceeded USD 6.8 billion in 2006. The company has more than 7000 employees in 250 locations in the United States and Mexico. Customers include commercial printers, publishers, manufacturers, retailers, facility managers, and companies across many industry segments.

xpedx is one of the largest providers of post-consumer waste content and recycled printing papers in North America. In January 2007, xpedx became the first North American paper merchant to have both Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certifications.

Other xpedx owned-and-operated businesses include publishing papers distributor Bulkley Dunton; xpedx Printing Technologies/Ryobi; the xpedx National Technology Center as well as a network of 135 retail paper stores. In Mexico, xpedx owns and operates 20 distribution centers and retail stores. xpedx operates xpedx.com, one of the largest business-to-business e-commerce sites in North America. For more information, visit xpedx.com.

About Antalis

Antalis is the largest European group in the distribution of communications support materials-packaging, printing and office papers, visual communication and promotional products. Ranking No. 4 worldwide with sales of EUR 2.3 billion in 2006, Antalis employs 6500 people to serve the needs of more than 180,000 printing companies and other corporations in 37 countries. As a leading international distributor of communications support materials, Antalis is committed to contributing to sustainable development through its businesses, operations, and people. Antalis is a fully owned subsidiary of Sequana Capital. For more information, visit antalis.com.

Web sites:
http://www.xpedx.com/
http://www.internationalpaper.com/
http://www.antalis.com/