Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advised Univar Inc. (“Univar”) in its $885 million initial public offering (“IPO”) of 40,250,000 shares of common stock, priced to the public at $22 per share. The company offered 20,000,000 shares and certain selling stockholders offered 20,250,000 shares, including the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Univar’s common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “UNVR” on June 18.

Debevoise also advised Univar‎ in connection with its concurrent private placement of $350 million of shares to Dahlia Investments Pte. Ltd., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, and the purchase by Dahlia Investments of an additional 5,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock from certain selling stockholders of the company.

Univar is a global distributor of specialty and basic chemicals from more than 8,000 producers worldwide. Univar operates more than 700 distribution facilities throughout North America, Western Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America, supported by a global network of sales and technical professionals.

The Debevoise team on the IPO was led by partner Steven J. Slutzky and included partner Gary M. Friedman, counsel Stuart Hammer and Keith J. Slattery, and associates Rupa Rao, Kevin R. Grondahl, Meir D. Katz, Nicholas C.H. Roper, Daniel T. Rothberg and Cara Soffer. The Debevoise team on the private placement and secondary sale to Temasek was led by partner Paul S. Bird and included associates Danli Guo and Spencer Gilbert.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. The firm’s commercially savvy lawyers regularly lead strategic transactions and complex disputes for world-class clients.