Corporate Express Press Releases - 2002

News Release - December 11, 2002 AcquireX Hosted Web-Based e-Procurement Company Announces Strategic Partnership with Corporate Express Alliance offers powerful E-commerce system to Corporate Express Customers

LONG BEACH, CA, December 11, 2002 – AcquireX, a procurement network for office products, peripherals, printing supplies and audio-visual equipment, and Corporate Express, Inc., a Buhrmann company (NYSE:BUH), the world’s largest business-to-business supplier of office products and services, have formed an alliance under which the AcquireX e-procurement application will be made available to selected Corporate Express customers. Conversely, existing AcquireX customers will benefit from the world-class logistics and desktop delivery provided by Corporate Express. "Customers benefit from an e-procurement solution that improves efficiency and reduces cycle times, combined with low up-front investment in software and hardware," said Wayne Aiello, Vice President of eBusiness Services for Corporate Express. "The AcquireX hosted application is a distributed system which features both ease of use and has the controls that meet the needs of procurement professionals." Jack Allewaert, CEO of AcquireX states, "We are delighted to partner with Corporate Express and introduce our existing client base to the world class logistics and desktop delivery that Corporate Express provides. Our customers will benefit from competitive pricing, combined with outstanding service and customer support." About AcquireX AcquireX, an electronic-procurement application provider, improves customer’s bottom line through redefining how goods and services are purchased. AcquireX implements, administers and maintains for customers a system that significantly reduces the administrative costs associated with processing a purchase order, while reducing the money spent by controlling which commodities and services are available for purchase by driving orders through pre-negotiated agreements. AcquireX customers access existing supplier contracts alongside consortium pricing agreements that AcquireX has negotiated with both wholesalers and manufacturers of office and technology products, resulting in immediate cost comparison and savings. Designed to be flexible and user-friendly, AcquireX meets the differing needs of customers throughout the country. For additional information about AcquireX visit www.acquirex.com. 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 12,800 people. The Company’s Web site address is www.cexp.com. ### Contact Information: Barbara Walsh AcquireX (877) 522-2255 Van Hindes Vice President Corporate Communications (303) 664-3989