| Corporate Express, a Buhrmann Company, History and Major Milestones |
November 2003:
Sale of Buhrmann’s Paper Merchanting Division complete.
March 2003:
Corporate Express completes its final implementation of ISIS, creating one platform, one computer system throughout the Company’s office products’ U.S. operations.
August 2002:
Corporate Express relaunches E-Way®, its online ordering site, with enhancements providing customers with an easy-to-navigate site and immediate cost-saving benefits when making purchasing decisions.
November 2001:
Corporate Express launches Diversity Product Solutions (DPS) a new private label brand that makes it easier for companies to achieve Diversity purchasing goals with high-volume products.
October 2001:
Mark Hoffman named President and CEO of Corporate Express North America.
September 2001:
Buhrmann ADRs list on New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol BUH.
May 2001:
Acquisition of US Office Products North American by Corporate Express is finalized.
March 2001:
Corporate Express announces a definitive agreement to acquire US Office Products North America.
October 1999:
Merger deal between Buhrmann and Corporate Express is finalized, creating the world’s largest office products and services company with revenues of more than $9 billion.
July 1999:
Buhrmann announces a definitive agreement to acquire Corporate Express.
February 1999:
Jirka Rysavy assumes the role of Corporate Express’ Chairman Emeritus.
September 1998:
Bob King is named the Corporate Express’ President and Chief Executive Officer.
1998:
BT Office Products de-listed on NYSE.
1998:
Buhrmann divests Packaging.
1997:
Buhrmann divests Paper Manufacturing.
April 1997:
Corporate Express is listed on the Fortune 500 Largest Corporations in America for the first time.
January 1997:
Corporate Express moves into its new corporate facility in Broomfield, Colorado.
1996:
Corporate Express launches E-Way®, its proprietary online ordering site.
1996:
Corporate Express becomes one of 10 companies in the world to grow to $3 billion within 10 years.
1995:
BT Office Products lists on New York Stock Exchange.
September 1994:
Corporate Express’ Initial Public Offering is a success, as 9 million shares are sold for $7.00 per share.
August 1993:
Bob King joins Corporate Express as its Chief Operating Officer.
December 1991:
Corporate Express is named to the Inc. “10 Fastest Growing Companies” list.
November 1990:
The first Corporate Express catalog is published.
1990:
Business Express becomes Corporate Express.
November 1986:
Jirka Rysavy acquires Office Supplies business for $100 and calls it Business Express.
1938:
Buhrmann is listed on Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
1875:
Buhrmann is incorporated.
| History of Corporate Express |
Corporate Express was founded by Jirka Rysavy in 1986 in Boulder, Colorado. Initially a regional office products retailer with 11 employees located in one small building, the company quickly established a program of strategic procurement solutions as an important industry innovation.
Initial growth was rapid. In 1994, Corporate Express became a public company with reported revenues of $621 million. Through acquisition of approximately 200 companies by the end of 1998, the company quickly and seamlessly added to its product lines, customer services and geographic breadth to serve a growing group of national and international businesses, including many of the world's largest and best known organizations.
Today, Corporate Express is the North American operating arm of Buhrmann NV, the world’s leading business services and office supply company. Buhrmann, based in the Netherlands, acquired Corporate Express in October 1999 and combined it with its subsidiary, BT Office Products.
In May 2001, Corporate Express acquired substantially all of the US Office Products (USOP) North American office products assets, including certain stand-alone furniture businesses. USOP's North American office products operations were integrated into Corporate Express, resulting in expected revenues of approximately $5 billion in North America.
With one of the premier distribution infrastructures in the world—including almost twice as many delivery vehicles as its nearest competitor as well as advanced information systems and state-of-the-art warehouse technology—today's Corporate Express is positioned to grow with and lead the business-to-business office products and services sector. In North America, Corporate Express is the market leader in terms of size, facilities, staffing and product offerings. Globally, the company has a leading market position in Europe (#2) and Australia (#1).
The headquarters of Corporate Express’ North American Operations is located in Broomfield, Colorado.
Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Buhrmann NV, Corporate Express draws on the combined management experience and industry expertise of the two companies to meet the ongoing needs of it business-to-business customers. The ability to deliver all customers a multinational strategic procurement solution keeps Corporate Express positioned as the industry leader in serving customers, employees and shareholders alike.
For more information on Buhrmann, please visit the website: www.buhrmann.com |
