SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

April 16, 2008

 

Corporate Express NV

(Translation of Registrant’s Name Into English)

 

Hoogoorddreef 62, 1101 BE Amsterdam ZO, The Netherlands

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F x Form 40-F o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes o No x

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):  82-                    .

 

 


 

Enclosure:  Press Release dated April 16, 2008

 


 

Corporate Express NV

 

For more information:

Media Relations:

PRESS RELEASE

+31 (0)20 651 10 19

 

 

 

Investor Relations:

 

+31 (0)20 651 10 42

 

www.cexpgroup.com

 

CORPORATE EXPRESS NV TO SELL VEENMAN NEDERLAND

 

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 16 April 2008 - Corporate Express NV and Xerox Corporation have reached an agreement on the takeover of Veenman Nederland by Xerox.

 

The activities of Veenman Nederland comprise of selling and servicing non-impact printing equipment of hard copy and electronic documents. The company employs over 300 employees. The cash proceeds amounted to EUR 43 million and will be used for debt reduction.

 

Peter Ventress, CEO Corporate Express: “This divestment represents a further step in our drive to become a more focused Global Office Supplies company. We continue to pursue our clear growth strategy as outlined in October 2007.”

 

The activities of Veenman Germany were sold in 2007.

 

The transaction is expected to close later in the year and is amongst others subject to approval by the Dutch anti-trust authority.

 

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Note to the editor

 

Corporate Express is one of the world’s leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. The Company has a widespread global proprietary distribution network spanning North America, Europe and Australia, with approximately 18,000 employees working from more than 350 locations in 21 countries. In 2007 the Company generated sales of EUR 5.6 billion. On October 1, 2007, the new management of Corporate Express announced the outcome of a strategic review designed to fully unlock the potential of the Group and its valuable international market positions, create growth and improve shareholder value. While the Company is aware of current economic conditions, it is confident that it is on track towards achieving its targets of an average annual organic sales growth of at least 6% for its Global Office Products business for the period 2008-2010.  The Company expects to generate EBITDA margins of at least 7% from Global Office Products, including overhead costs.

 

For more information Corporate Express

 

 

Analysts / investors: Carl Hoyer

 

Telephone: +31 (0)20 651 10 42

 

 

carl.hoyer@cexpgroup.com

Press / general inquiries: Anneloes Geldermans

 

Telephone: +31 (0)20 651 10 34

 

 

anneloes.geldermans@cexpgroup.com

 


 

Safe Harbour Statement

 

Statements included in this press release, which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Corporate Express and therefore involve a number of uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to industry conditions, changes in product supply, pricing and customer demand, competition, risks in integrating new businesses, currency fluctuations, and the other risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2007. As a result, the actual results of operations or financial conditions of the Company could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Corporate Express NV

 

 

 

By:

/s/ P. Ventress

 

 

Member Executive Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ H. van der Kooij

 

 

Company Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: April 16, 2008

 

 

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