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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
October 8, 2003
BUHRMANN 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 ý 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 ý
(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 October 8, 2003
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Buhrmann NV Hoogoorddreef 62 1101 BE Amsterdam ZO P.O. Box 23456 1100 DZ Amsterdam ZO The Netherlands |
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PRESS RELEASE |
Telephone +31 (0)20 651 11 11 |
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| Date Number |
8 October 2003 010 |
Telefax +31 (0)20 651 10 00 corpcomm@buhrmann.com |
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| BUHRMANN SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE SALE OF PAPER MERCHANTING DIVISION | Website www.buhrmann.com |
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Buhrmann shareholders today voted in favour of the sale of Buhrmann's Paper Merchanting Division to PaperlinX Limited and they approved a change in the articles of association related to the transaction. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, being subject to PaperlinX receiving regulatory approvals.
In addition, the general meeting of shareholders appointed Mr. John J. Hannan as a Supervisory Board member. Mr. Hannan succeeds Mr. Anthony P. Ressler on behalf of Appollo Management IV, L.P..
Note to editors
| For more information, please contact: Buhrmann Corporate Communications Ewold de Bruijne Tel. +31 20 651 10 34 / +31 6 537 400 76 e-mail: ewold.de.bruijne@buhrmann.com |
Analysts can contact: Buhrmann Investor Relations Carl Hoyer Tel. +31 20 651 10 42 e-mail: carl.hoyer@buhrmann.com |
Profile of Buhrmann
As an international business services and distribution group, Buhrmann is the world's major supplier of office products, paper and graphic systems for the business market. By combining modern Internet technology with intelligent logistic processes Buhrmann is able to distribute these products in a highly efficient way. Sales via the internet account for a rapidly growing proportion of total sales. With its Office Products Divisions operating under the name of Corporate Express, Buhrmann is market leader in the business market for office products in North America and Australia. In Europe Corporate Express ranks second. Buhrmann is European market leader in paper merchanting and in the distribution of graphic systems. The group has its head office in Amsterdam and generates annual sales of about EUR 10 billion with around 24,000 employees in over 30 countries.
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 Buhrmann 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 June 27, 2003. 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.
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.
| Date: October 8, 2003 | |||
| BUHRMANN NV | |||
By: |
/s/ F.H.J. KOFFRIE F.H.J. Koffrie Member Executive Board |
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By: |
/s/ H. VAN DER KOOIJ H. van der Kooij Company Secretary |
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SIGNATURE