Unisource Worldwide Explained

Unisource Worldwide, Inc.
Type:Subsidiary
Owner:Bain Capital (60%; from 2002)

Unisource Worldwide, Inc. is a subsidiary of Veritiv and is a distributor of printing paper, packaging equipment and supplies, and facility maintenance equipment and supplies. It also provides logistics services to other companies through its truck fleet and warehouses.

History and ownership

Unisource was formed in 1996 when it split off from Alco Standard Corporation. After acquiring several local and regional distributors, Unisource was itself acquired by Georgia-Pacific LLC in 1999.[1] In 2002, Bain Capital purchased a 60 percent ownership in Unisource Worldwide. Georgia-Pacific retains 40 percent ownership.[2]

In 2004, the CEO, Chuck Tufano, was succeeded by Allan Dragone.[3]

In 2005, the company donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund in response to the 2005 earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia.[4]

In 2014, the company became a subsidiary of Veritiv, following the spin-off of International Paper's xpedx.[5]

Sustainable business initiatives

Unisource was the first national paper distributor in the United States to attain certification from all three major chain-of-custody certification organizations: the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®),[6] the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®),[7] and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).[8]

In 2010, Unisource began requesting supplies to fill out a Sustainability Scorecard "to ensure that environmental responsibility is being practiced and assessed according to standard industry procedures."[9]

Unisource is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.[10]

Unisource is a U.S. Green Building Council member.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Georgia-Pacific and Unisource Worldwide to Merge. https://archive.today/20130124225142/http://www.gp.com/newsroom/newsarticle.asp?newsid=61. dead. January 24, 2013. 18 June 2012. May 25, 1999.
  2. News: Georgia-Pacific and Bain Capital Complete Unisource Transaction. 18 June 2012. December 2, 2002.
  3. News: Unisource Worldwide CEO steps down. 18 June 2012. Atlanta Business Chronicle. February 27, 2004.
  4. News: Unisource Worldwide, Inc. Donates to Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts. 18 June 2012. Business Wire. January 13, 2005.
  5. Web site: About Veritiv Corporation. 16 September 2019. Veritiv Corporation.
  6. FSC certificate (http://www.unisourceworldwide.com/Products/Paper/Documents/UWW%20FSC%20Certificate%20-%20Issue%206.pdf)
  7. SFI certificate (http://www.unisourceworldwide.com/Products/Paper/Documents/UWW%20SFI%20Certificate%20-%20Issue%206.pdf)
  8. PEFC certificate (http://www.unisourceworldwide.com/Products/Paper/Documents/UWW%20PEFC%20Certificate%20-%20Issue%207.pdf)
  9. News: Mohan. Anne Marie. Unisource Worldwide asks suppliers to complete Sustainability Scorecard. 18 June 2012. Greener Package. August 31, 2010.
  10. Sustainable Packaging Coalition (http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/membership/list/)
  11. U.S. Green Building Council (http://www.usgbc.org/myUSGBC/Members/MemberDetails.aspx?CID=10080548)