Press Releases

News Release - September 18, 2002 Corporate Express Revolutionizes Online Procurement Process With E-Way® E-Way enhancements offer increased b2b functionality via customizable, secure, user-friendly interface

BROOMFIELD, CO – September 18, 2002 – Corporate Express, the world’s largest business-to-business supplier of essential office and computer products and services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buhrmann NV (NYSE: BUH), today announced the successful launch of its enhanced proprietary online procurement system, E-Way® (www.eway.com). Enhancements to E-Way, originally launched in 1996, will provide customers with an easy-to-navigate site and immediate cost-saving benefits when making purchasing decisions. “Corporate Express’ E-Way technology provides our customers with the ease and flexibility needed to make better purchasing decisions,” said Dave Grove, Senior VP of Sales, Marketing and Merchandising, Corporate Express. “We are excited by what the upgraded E-Way will give our customers and we will continue to find innovative methods to improve the procurement process.” The E-Way platform facilitates the location, ordering and tracking of office product purchases while saving time and reducing the costs normally associated with the procurement process. Through a customizable B2C-style website, E-Way provides B2B functionality integrated with a robust procurement application. Some of the key customer benefits of the upgraded E-Way include: Advanced search capabilities via product category, product name, keyword index, or manufacturer; Secure, real-time access to customer billing invoices, statements and product purchasing reports; The addition of new spending control functions to monitor and manage product purchases; Improved online customer support with the addition of context-specific help on each page; and Seamless integration with customers’ various e-Procurement systems “Delivering newer, faster and more cost effective services for our customers is an essential part of Corporate Express’ eBusiness strategy and central to our value proposition of ‘operational excellence’,” said Mark Hoffman, President and CEO of North American Operations, Corporate Express. “We are dedicated to preparing the world for business, and the new E-Way plays a large part in maintaining the high quality service our clients deserve.” E-Way currently provides more than 35,000 customers and 500,000 registered users access to a comprehensive online catalog of over 50,000 office products. Online sales are projected to reach $1 billion in 2002, making E-Way one of the world’s largest eCommerce sites. About Corporate Express Corporate Express, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buhrmann, NV (AEX: BUHR; NYSE: BUH), an international business services and distribution group. Buhrmann is a leading global supplier of office products, paper and graphic systems for the business market. Corporate Express' 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 has operations in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Corporate Express' North American operations have more than 300 facilities, including 52 distribution centers, and the Company employs 14,300 people. The Company's Web site address is www.CorporateExpress.com. Contact Information: Van Hindes Vice President Corporate Communications Corporate Express (303) 664-3989