CHICAGO, November 5, 2008-Well-designed packaging can help companies profitably enter new markets, cut supply chain costs, and demonstrate environmental responsibility.

But to extract full return from their packaging investment, manufacturers must integrate complex issues such as design, structural engineering, automation, environmental science, distribution and transportation.  One place they look for guidance is xpedx, exhibiting at Pack Expo International in Chicago, November 9-13, 2008, booth E-8818.

xpedx, a top North American provider of packaging equipment and supplies, offers a spectrum of packaging-related services.  It has been helping customers, from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses, with some or all aspects of their packaging and delivery needs for years.  Today, xpedx has a greatly expanded package design offering and is spotlighting its full capabilities.

John Perrin, newly appointed vice president of marketing for manufacturing, says that while many suppliers specialize in functions from design to distribution, few can provide expertise in all of these disciplines like xpedx does.

"Manufacturers and marketers need packaging suppliers that can go beyond traditional boundaries," explains Perrin.  "They need suppliers that will provide deep expertise from sustainable package design to final delivery-all to help them better distinguish their product in the marketplace, grow sales and cut the total cost of getting products to the customer."

xpedx services include product or package design, line automation, sustainability, specification manufacturing, security packaging, contract packaging, kitting, fulfillment, supply chain management and distribution.

xpedx has a network of more than 550 packaging specialists, representatives and technicians at more than 100 locations across North America.  xpedx is a business of International Paper (NYSE: IP), one of the world's largest manufacturers of packaging products, allowing it to tap IP's global resources and expertise.

xpedx serves manufacturers across a wide variety of business-to-business and business-to- consumer markets.  Some of the strongest demand today for packaging design and product fulfillment/delivery solutions is from makers of biotech products, premium foods, computer hardware and software as well as contract packaging companies.

For information on the full range of xpedx capabilities, visit booth E-8818 during Pack Expo 2008 in Chicago or xpedx.com.