Chrysler Group Selects Corporate Express As New Branded Merchandise Supplier
News Release
Contacts:
Anne McKeough, VP Sales and Marketing
Corporate Express Promotional Marketing
314.692.3039
Chrysler Group Selects Corporate Express As New Branded Merchandise Supplier
St. Louis, Missouri, Feb. 22, 2006 — Corporate Express Promotional Marketing today announced that it would be the exclusive provider of branded merchandise online stores and fulfillment programs for Chrysler Group's Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands. Under the multi-year agreement, Corporate Express Promotional Marketing will be exclusive provider to the Chrysler Group's internal plants and facilities, dealer network, and Business Centers for branded merchandise. Corporate Express Promotional Marketing provides similar branded merchandise and programs for DaimlerChrysler in Canada.
The merchandise, which includes products such as apparel, caps, electronics, writing instruments, sporting goods and automobile die casts, will be used to support retailing and affinity efforts across the United States. New car buyers, owners and enthusiasts will also be able to purchase merchandise through the exclusive branded online stores found at
Chrysler.com,
Jeep.com and
Dodge.com.
"We're very proud DaimlerChrysler chose to partner with us," said Anne McKeough, VP Sales and Marketing for Corporate Express Promotional Marketing. "It means a lot, considering that their process was so thorough and included facilities tours."
"Purchasing and six additional DaimlerChrysler user groups screened thirteen potential suppliers before choosing Corporate Express Promotional Marketing," said Bill Kennedy, global manager, branded merchandise for Chrysler Group. "We evaluated and visited a number of excellent suppliers and in the end, Corporate Express Promotional Marketing proved most ideally suited to meet our business and brand objectives."
Hugh Lawson, recently promoted to Global Account Director, will manage the account for Corporate Express Promotional Marketing. Previously Lawson served as account director for Corporate Express Promotional Marketing's Canadian DaimlerChrysler programs. Unique branded merchandise assortments and online stores are currently under development for each of the Chrysler Group's respective brands.
About Corporate Express Promotional Marketing
Headquartered in St. Louis, Corporate Express Promotional Marketing specializes in centralized, brand merchandise procurement programs for the Fortune 1000. Business lines include Web-based In-Stock Merchandise Catalogs, Custom Order products and Performance Solutions such as Recognition, Incentive, and Corporate Gift programs. Corporate Express Promotional Marketing is a wholly-owned division of Corporate Express — A Buhrmann company and serves clients worldwide. It offers full program services in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. The company manages 140 brand merchandise programs for 90 clients worldwide.
About Chrysler Group
The Chrysler Group, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. The company increased worldwide annual sales in 2005 by five percent to 2.83 million vehicles, making the Chrysler Group the only North American-based automaker to achieve a sales increase last year. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, the Jeep Commander, and the Dodge Charger. The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, the Company's philanthropic arm, gave $26 million in grants in 2005. The Chrysler Group is a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's fifth largest automaker, which produces passenger and commercial vehicles including the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, smart and Freightliner brands.
