FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2008--In light of
today's news about the proposed Corporate Express N.V. acquisition of
Lyreco SAS, Staples, Inc.(Nasdaq: SPLS) and Staples Acquisition B.V.
are considering all options.
Staples Acquisition reaffirms that its all cash offer of EUR 8.00
per ordinary share delivers certain, immediate and superior value to
Corporate Express shareholders. Staples Acquisition's offer does so
without the substantial execution and other risks inherent in
Corporate Express' long-term plans, with or without the addition of
Lyreco.
Staples Acquisition launched its tender offer on May 19, 2008. The
acceptance period for the tender offer ends June 27, 2008.
About Staples
Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and
today is the world's largest office products company. With 76,000
talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy
a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology,
furniture, and business services. With 2007 sales of USD 19.4 billion,
Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based
businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North
and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples operates more than 2,000 office superstores and also serves
its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract
businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.
This is a public announcement pursuant to the provisions of
Section 4 paragraph 3 of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeover Bids
(Besluit openbare biedingen Wft). This announcement shall not
constitute a public offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale in securities. The
offer by Staples Acquisition is made through and is subject to the
terms and conditions as set out in the Offer Memorandum. Not for
release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into
Canada or Japan.
Certain information contained in this news release may constitute
forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but
not limited to the statements as to Staples' intentions with respect
to the offer to acquire Corporate Express. Actual future events may
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to the fact that the offer made by Staples or any other
acquisition of Corporate Express will be consummated and those other
factors discussed or referenced in our most recent annual report on
Form 10-K filed with the SEC, under the heading "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere, and any subsequent periodic reports filed by us with the
SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our
estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as
representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may
elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the
future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our
estimates change.
CONTACT: Staples, Inc.
Media Contact:
Paul Capelli, 508-253-8530
or
Investor Contact:
Laurel Lefebvre, 508-253-4080
SOURCE: Staples, Inc.
