Corporate Express Acquires Portsmouth Paper Company

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Express, Inc., a Buhrmann company , announced today that the company has acquired the Portsmouth Paper Company located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Corporate Express is one of the world's largest business-to-business suppliers of essential office, facilities, furniture and computer products and services, with 2004 sales of approximately $4.5 billion in North America.

Corporate Express will continue to bring Portsmouth customers the same product selection and commitment to service that they have come to expect with the additional resources of Corporate Express' broad product offering and dedicated local sales support. Customers will also benefit from Corporate Express' world-class distribution, award-winning on-line ordering system, industry leading diversity programs, and free next-day delivery.

"We are very excited about this acquisition and proud to welcome our new associates and customers to Corporate Express," said Tim Ruh, President of Corporate Express' New England Division. "Not only will Portsmouth customers continue to receive the same great sales support and customer service they are accustomed to, but this acquisition will also enhance our facility supplies and packaging offering to current Corporate Express customers."

"I believe that the strategic fit with our company and Corporate Express takes the Portsmouth Paper Company to new levels of distribution excellence," said Cris Goodman, Controlling Shareholder of Portsmouth Paper Company. "With our reputation for service in the packaging, janitorial and safety supplies market and the depth of products and services that Corporate Express brings, both our customers will be true beneficiaries of this winning combination."

Portsmouth Paper will continue to operate as an independent business, just as they have for more than 90 years.

About Corporate Express

Corporate Express, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Buhrmann, NV , 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, facility supplies, document and print management, desktop software, promotional products, and other similar products. Corporate Express has operations in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Corporate Express' North American operations have 183 facilities, including 38 distribution centers, and the Company employs 10,775 people. The Company's Web site address is http://www.corporateexpress.com/.

About Portsmouth Paper Company

The Portsmouth Paper Company was established in 1912 when it began selling paper and twine to the New England Marketplace. Since that time, the company has evolved into a leading regional supplier of packaging supplies, industrial papers, janitorial products, and safety supplies. The company has been operating out of its current location in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for over 40 years.