Office Depot (NYSE:ODP), a leading global provider of office
products and services, today announced it is expanding its Eastern
European presence by introducing its products and solutions to
business-to-business customers in Poland.
Office Depot's latest international expansion includes the launch
of a contract business based in Warsaw that targets medium- to
large-sized businesses. Office Depot will use an on-site sales force
to reach customers with services such as individualized pricing and
local products, a strategy similar to one it employs in other European
countries.
"Office Depot's global presence and expansion into Poland
reinforces our strategy of delivering innovative products and services
to burgeoning international markets," said Charles Brown, President of
Office Depot's International Division. "Poland continues to experience
strong economic growth and is a target for multinational business
development."
On July 1, Office Depot will officially open its head office in
Warsaw. "Establishing ourselves in Warsaw is very important as a large
number of Polish companies are based here," explained Jan Cerny,
Country Manager for Office Depot Poland. "Within a relatively small
area, you reach a significant portion of your customer base. That was
a key factor in centralizing our operations in this city."
As part of its renewed focus on Eastern Europe, Office Depot
acquired Papirius in 2006, one of the largest business-to-business
suppliers of office products and services in the region, with
operations in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary and Slovakia.
About Office Depot
Office Depot provides more office products and services to more
customers in more countries than any other company.
Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Delray Beach, Fla.,
Office Depot has annual sales of over $15 billion, and employs
approximately 52,000 associates around the world. Currently, the
Company sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 42
countries.
Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel -- from
retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. As of
March 31, 2007, Office Depot had 1,174 retail stores in North America
and another 360 stores, either company-owned, licensed or franchised,
in other parts of the world. Office Depot serves a wide range of
customers through a dedicated sales force, telephone account managers,
direct mail offerings, and multiple web sites. With $4.5 billion in
online sales during the last twelve months, the Company is also one of
the world's largest e-commerce retailers.
Office Depot's common stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
Additional press information can be found at:
http://mediarelations.officedepot.com.