New internet generation launched

TAKKT division KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA implements e-procurement project with Wacker-Chemie

Purchasing at the click of a mouse opens up a completely new dimension for customers of TAKKT division KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA. A new interactive webpage introduced by the leading business-to-business mail order house for office, business and warehousing equipment ensures that selecting and ordering from KAISER + KRAFT Germany via the Internet is simpler and better tailored to individual requirements than ever before. At the same time, the Stuttgart-based group has successfully implemented a further major e-procurement system with Wacker-Chemie of Munich. The ordering processes of the Bavarian chemicals giant have now been shortened to a single day, while process costs have been trimmed considerably. As Alfred Milanello, board member for Informationtechnology and Organization at TAKKT, explains: "With these two new concepts, we are clearly demonstrating that our e-commerce strategy is being put into practice systematically. With the establishment of further e-procurement systems, we are opening up additional sales and distribution channels, which we see as the ideal supplement to our catalogue and CD-ROM business." The innovative solutions have been developed in collaboration with the international, New York-based enterprise commerce vendor InterWorld and the well-known software company Poet.

Additional services for old and new customers
The core competence of the new e-commerce site is direct integration into the merchandise management system of the TAKKT division. The customer always has up-to-date information on whether the required product is available. In addition, there are new functions - such as "photo search", "express shopping", "recommendations" and "A-Z index" - which speed up the search and virtual shopping processes. Lists of baskets of goods give a clear indication of the most frequently ordered products. If the customer wishes to receive personal advice or to add comments or suggestions, he only needs to click the "callback" button, whereupon he will be immediately contacted by a specialist - either by phone or email. TAKKT board member for finance and controlling Dr. Felix A. Zimmermann is certain that the new Internet facility will be a success: "The new webpage is specially tailored to the needs of our clients. In this way, we will be able to convince both new and existing customers that our service offerings are top quality. With an annual growth rate of more than 150 percent, Net retailing is gaining in importance all the time. We are initially offering the interactive services to our customers in the Federal Republic of Germany. European rollout is due to get under way in the foreseeable future."

Win-win situation between Wacker-Chemie and TAKKT AG
The new e-procurement system for Wacker-Chemie's Burghausen plant - Bavaria's largest chemicals facility employing a workforce of around 10,500 - ensures optimal process organization. Since June 30, 2000, up to 1000 employees can order straight out of KAISER + KRAFT Germany's complete product catalogue - at the click of a mouse. In other words, they simply click on the required product in Wacker-Chemie's intranet web shop. Rudolf Rothlehner, purchasing manager in Burghausen, sums up the benefits of the new facility in the following terms: "The new system reduces the ordering procedure to at most a single day and the process costs are cut substantially. We are therefore saving both time and money. KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA is the sole supplier of such a system in its particular market segment. This makes it an absolute win-win situation for both sides." The electronic orders from Burghausen are forwarded to Stuttgart, where they are entered in the merchandise management system of the TAKKT division. All the ware-housed products are dispatched to the Wacker plant speedily and with the usual high customary KAISER + KRAFT quality of service. Wacker plans to expand the system this year to include its plants in Cologne and Nünchritz (Saxony).

The companies

TAKKT AG
TAKKT AG has been listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges since September 1999. In mid-June this year, it was added to the SDAX stock exchange index. Operational business is in the hands of the three division, KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA, K + K America and Topdeq, Europe's number one design-oriented office outfitter. During the first six months of this year, the group worldwide recorded a increase in revenues of 15.7 percent from Euro 315.3 million to Euro 364.8 million. Total sales in 1999 amounted to more than Euro 627 million. This year, TAKKT is anticipating sales revenues in excess of Euro 700 million. KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA is the foremost member of the group, posting a sales volume of Euro 326.5 million in the past fiscal year. During the first six months of 2000, this division grew 9.2 percent to Euro 178.9 million.

Wacker-Chemie GmbH
Wacker-Chemie is an international chemicals group. It ranks in 66th position among Germany's 100 most important companies. Worldwide, it recorded sales of DM 4.9 billion in 1999 and had some 16,220 employees on its payroll. The company operates twelve manufacturing plants in Europe, eight in the United States and three in Asia. Its global sales and distribution network with more than 100 subsidiaries and sales and marketing centers ensures that customers' wishes are attended to speedily and precisely. Wacker-Chemie is a global leader and a profitable technology pacesetter in each of its core markets - semiconductors, polymers, silicons and materials.

Stuttgart, 2 August 2000

Contacts:

Georg Gayer
Phone +49 (0)7 11.50 01-239

Dr. Felix A. Zimmermann
Phone +49 (0)7 11.50 01-861