Next generation of e-commerce

TAKKT subsidiary C&H Distributors opens up new dimension in virtual mail order in the US

TAKKT AG, the leading business-to-business mail order house for office, business and warehousing equipment in Europe and North America with sales of Euro 627.2 million in 1999, has decided to use the internet systematically as an international sales and marketing channel. On 15 May 2000, our US subsidiary C&H Distributors is launching a new interactive second-generation e-commerce website which will make purchasing "at the click of a mouse" even simpler and insure the servicing of customer requirements.

With the introduction of the new e-commerce website, C&H customers will be able to choose from more than 40,000 items round the clock, seven days a week- at the click of a mouse. 92 percent of all orders for warehouse products can be dispatched on the same day. C&H President Dave Stark sums up the new website as follows: "With our solution, purchasing online with www.chdist.com is straightforward, speedy, convenient and of course completely secure."

In addition to the already existing standards of the first generation e-commerce e. g. detailed description of products, C&H offers in the second generation a new dimension of interactive services. As Stark explains, "if customers have any difficulty finding the product they require, all they need to do is press the help button. They will be called back by a member of our service staff immediately." The customer can also use the special order tracking button to follow the progress of the delivery.

Since January 2000, customers of C&H Distributors have been able to avail themselves of a facility which is unique in this line of business in the US: "A Guaranteed Delivery Date". As soon as a customer places an order, the US subsidiary of TAKKT AG informs him or her immediately when exactly the ordered goods will be dispatched and delivered. If this delivery deadline cannot be met, C&H will foot the bill for the complete delivery costs. Stark stresses that "this service, obviously for us, also applies to the internet and gives us a clear competitive advantage." Georg Gayer, chairman of TAKKT's managing board, is convinced that the new internet website and C&H's unique service facilities will play a decisive role in strengthening the market leadership of K + K America in the US: "The fact that we can now offer many more service functions in the virtual mail order sector will not only be welcomed by our existing customers; we believe that our new solutions will also appeal to many new customers."

The optimism displayed by the chairman of TAKKT's managing board with regard to the American market certainly appears justified: with sales increasing 23.5 percent to Euro 71.7 million during the first quarter of 2000, TAKKT's subsidiary K + K America - which in-cludes Conney Safety Products and Avenue Industrial in addition to C&H - is set to perform well in the new financial year.

Stuttgart, 16 May 2000.

Contacts:

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

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