Buhrmann announced today that its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) has approved the proposal to change the name of the company to Corporate Express NV. All other proposals have been adopted as well with the exception of resolution 6B, relating to the authorisation to limit or exclude the preferential right when issuing ordinary shares. The most important resolutions are listed below.
Buhrmann to become Corporate Express NV per 20 April
The AGM approved the change of the statutory name of the Company and the name of the shares listed on Euronext and New York stock exchange to become Corporate Express NV per 20 April 2007.
No extension of authorisation to limit or exclude the preferential right when issuing ordinary shares
The resolution (item 6B on the agenda) to extend the period during which the Executive Board is authorised to limit or exclude the preferential right when issuing ordinary shares has not been approved by the AGM.
Dividend
The AGM has approved the proposal to pay a dividend of EUR 0.21 per ordinary share. In line with the dividend policy of Buhrmann, this represents 26% of the net profit, after adding back special items (net of tax) and fair value adjustments (net of tax) per ordinary share of EUR 0.70. The dividend on ordinary shares will be paid either wholly in cash or in new ordinary shares, at the option of the shareholder, and will be debited to the share premium reserve.
Buhrmann shares will be quoted ex dividend as of Monday 16 April 2007. There will be no trading in dividend rights. The selection period runs from 16 April to 26 April. The dividend will be payable as of 30 April 2007.
Changes in the composition of the Executive Board
The AGM approved the appointment of Mr P.J. Ventress as member of the Executive Board. In line with the Dutch Corporate Governance Code, Peter Ventress has been appointed for a period of four years.