Office Depot 2002 Annual Report Download - page 10

“Office Depot is a dynamic company,
distinguishing itself from other
companies through the personal
approach towards the customers
and caring for equality between the
management and the employees. We
have great teams working in Venlo!”
—Ellen Tosserams
Credit and Collections
the Netherlands
“I worked for and with companies
which had the values ’on the walls.’
At Office Depot I am blessed to work
with people who have the values
within their hearts. People do make
the difference!”
—Hans Reuser
Senior Training Manager
Benelux, Germany,Austria
and Switzerland
OUR PEOPLE | OUR BRAND | OUR PEOPLE | OUR BRAND | OUR PEOPLE |
More office products are sold outside the U.S. than inside the U.S., and Office Depot
expects that, over time, its business will reflect this global marketplace. That’s why, over
the past few years, the Company has made substantial investments in infrastructure to
grow and expand its leadership position in the industry, particularly in Europe.
Office Depot invested significantly in new countries and new channels in 2002. In Europe,
in addition to supporting new contract business growth in France, Ireland, the
Netherlands and the United Kingdom, it launched new European Business Services
Division operations in Italy and Germany. In both new contract countries, Office Depot
has been able to leverage its strong brand recognition and operational infrastructure to offer medium- to
large-sized businesses a fresh alternative for their office products and business solutions. During the year
the Company was also successful in launching corporate business-to-business web sites in the Netherlands,
Ireland and France for its contract customers.
In 2002, new market growth was initiated with the launch of the Company’s Viking Direct catalog/direct
mail operations in Switzerland, Spain and Portugal.The Company also launched new Viking Office Products
web sites in existing mail order markets including Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The
Company’s Viking Direct brand continues to play a key role in Office Depot’s
international growth strategy by virtue of its superior database marketing
capabilities and legendary customer service. Over the past several years, the
Company’s experienced European management team capitalized on Viking’s strong
foundation to leverage growth opportunities in retail, contract and e-commerce.
In Japan, Office Depot instituted a number of changes in its business model
designed to make the Company more efficient and sales-driven in this high-risk,
high-return market. The Company expanded into Central America with new retail
stores in Guatemala and Costa Rica through its joint venture licensing agreement
with Grupo Gigante, one of the largest retailers in Mexico.Office Depot also moved
to strengthen long-term growth in shareholder value by selling its Australian
operations.
Overall, the operating performance of this business met expectations for the year
despite the more than $50 million of EBIT incurred to fund growth initiatives.
Results from the Company’s European business in particular continue to
outperform the balance of its other businesses, reinforcing the wisdom of the
Company’s global perspective.
8
“This company gives me
the opportunity to
create and implement
new ideas. People here
respect each other and
talk about opportunities
instead of problems. The
management gives you
the freedom and support
to try new ideas.”
—Stijn Daems
Warehouse Manager
Puurs, Belgium
“ We often receive very
positive feedback from
our customers; we impress
them and perform above
their expectations.”
—Philippine van der Putten
Major Accounts Director
Pictured far right
“Office Depot is a
company with a clear
vision and goals, in which
the well being of the
employees is very
important. The values are
not just printed on paper,
they are being lived.”
—Arno Wiedefeld
Regional Sales Manager
German Contract
Division
Pictured far right
INTERNATIONAL
GLOBAL VIEW
LOCAL FOCUS
“I really feel that Office
Depot appreciates its
employees and you are
being treated with
respect, regardless of
your position. You
cannot refer to this at a
lot of other companies.”
—Hermi Sahuleka
Customer Relations
the Netherlands