Corporate
Express Press Releases - 2000
Corporate Express News Release - October 19, 2000 Corporate Express Enhances Global Procurement and Merchandising Strategy for International Customers Highly Integrated Accounts and Merchandising Organizations Expand Global Reach |
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BROOMFIELD, Colo.– Corporate Express, A Buhrmann Company, today announced the results of a highly integrated international effort over the past year to develop a global accounts and merchandising capability. This effort was designed to meet the needs of complex international companies looking for global office products procurement solutions. With significant positions in North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, Corporate Express is the leading B2B office products company servicing large international companies with a true one-company global capability. Corporate Express offers its global customers a wide variety of products including office products, computer supplies and consumables, office furniture, and support services. Corporate Express’ global accounts program is led by an internationally integrated team specifically focused on meeting customers’ global office products needs. The team, which was established following the merger of Buhrmann, NV and Corporate Express, Inc, is under the overall leadership of Lex Elkins, Vice President of Strategic Accounts. Joe McDonald is Managing Director Global Accounts with Rod Cullen, International Account Director, leading Europe, and Grant Harrod, National Sales and Marketing Manager, heading the Australian/New Zealand effort. Corporate Express’ global merchandising strategy involves partnering with a core group of international suppliers to provide select products globally along with developing collateral merchandising and marketing support materials. Todd Elmers, Vice President of Merchandising, leads the North American merchandising effort, Guenter Albinus, Merchandising Manager Europe, leads the European effort and David Gourley, National Strategic Supply Manager leads the Australian/New Zealand effort. "Corporate Express’ global capabilities differentiate us in the marketplace," said Mark Hoffman, President of Corporate Express North American Office Products. "Over the past year we have come to appreciate the challenges associated with multiple languages, currencies, products and cultures across continents. That experience confirms our belief that the best way to go to market is with one company, one global strategy, one global account team, and a single point of accountability supported by local operations in every market we serve. This ensures our global customers receive uniform consistent high-quality service tailored to their local needs." "In addition, this strategy provides global accounts with a consistent approach to pricing of products across all countries," said Janhein Pieterse, President of Corporate Express European Office Products. "It allows pricing efficiencies based on overall global spending and the purchasing power of a multi-billion dollar distribution company." "Our global accounts and merchandising teams are made up of top sales and procurement leaders from North America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand," added Ted Nark, President of Corporate Express Australian/New Zealand Office Products. "This organization assures local account attention by experienced Corporate Express specialists closely connected to their international colleagues." Among key global customers, Corporate Express services PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Deutsche Bank on three continents. Recently, Deutsche Bank awarded Corporate Express its "Global Supplier of the Year" award for excellence in supporting global operations. The worldwide market account potential for global accounts is estimated to be over $1 billion. The Company’s global technology and reporting capabilities provide customers savings analysis along with spend and product reports formatted with local currency and conversion tables. Corporate Express, A Buhrmann Company, is the world’s largest business-to-business supplier of essential office and computer products and services to customers who value superior procurement solutions. Corporate Express has operations in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Contacts: |