Corporate Express Press Releases - 2003

News Release - October 1, 2003 Corporate Express Canada, Inc. Alberta Division Wins Consumers' Choice Award

Edmonton, Alberta – October 1, 2003 – Corporate Express Canada, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corporate Express, Inc., a Buhrmann company, the world’s largest business-to-business supplier of essential office and computer products and services, today announced that its Alberta Division won the Consumers’ Choice Award. The annual Consumers’ Choice awards were established in 1987 and are presented in major Canadian cities to companies that are voted best in their individual fields. Its purpose is to publicly identify those establishments which have been voted by consumers as being their choice for excellence. Consumers choose the winners of the Consumers’ Choice Award through an independent and objective survey administered by Market Facts of Canada, one of the largest market research companies in the world. The Alberta Division of Corporate Express Canada, Inc won the award for its Edmonton market in the Office Furniture and Equipment category. “This is a significant award for Corporate Express because it is voted on by end-users and consumers, not a panel of judges,” said Lorne Wight, Division President for Corporate Express Alberta. “ It shows that all of our quality initiatives and customer-focused activities are recognized, and that sets Corporate Express ahead of the competition.” Don Vierboom, Vice-President of Furniture for Corporate Express Alberta, accepted the award at a televised gala event in Edmonton on September 29, 2003. About Corporate Express Canada Corporate Express Canada, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corporate Express, Inc., a Buhrmann company (NYSE:BUH and AEX: BUH), the world’s largest business-to-business supplier of office and computer products and services. Corporate Express Canada’s product offering includes office and computer supplies, imaging and computer graphics supplies, office furniture, document and print management, desktop software, promotional products, and other similar products. Corporate Express Canada has operations in 19 facilities, including 9 distribution centers located in Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boucherville, Quebec; Saint John, New Brunswick; St. John’s, Newfoundland; Vancouver, British Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba and Mississauga, Ontario. Corporate Express Canada employs 1,140 people, more than 100 customer service representatives and owns approximately 70 delivery vehicles. The Company’s Web site address is www.corporateexpress.ca. ### Contact Information: Van Hindes Vce President Corporate Communications (303) 664-3989