US contract wins
4imprint Group PLC
3 September 2001
Press release
3 September 2001
4imprint Group plc wins US business for Hitachi Data Systems and Raley's
4imprint Group plc, the leading global distributor of imprinted promotional
products, today announces that its wholly owned US subsidiary Adventures in
Advertising Franchise, Inc. (AIA) has won two significant corporate contracts
with Hitachi Data Systems and California-based food retailer, Raley's. The
contracts, which are the first to be awarded through the AIA franchise owner
network since it was acquired in December 2000, are estimated to be worth a
combined $9m over the next three years.
Raley's, which is the 18th largest supermarket chain in the US employing some
17,000 staff, has contracted 4imprint to provide a mix of web-based and print
catalogue solutions over a three-year period estimated to be worth $6m. This
is the first major contract for 4imprint in the food retail sector as well as
being the largest US contract to date for the Company in terms of potential
users.
Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., and a leading
provider of business solutions for the world's most information-intensive
corporations, has contracted 4imprint to supply a mix of web-based and print
catalogue solutions over a three-year period estimated to be worth $3m.
Hitachi Data Systems becomes the first major technology firm to utilise
4imprint's corporate programme capabilities within the US.
AIA Franchise Inc. is a network of more than 400 individually owned and
operated professional promotional product and corporate apparel
distributorships, located in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. AIA's
franchise owners assist businesses of all sizes in identifying the most
creative and suitable promotional products and best strategies for delivering
messages to specific target audiences.
Formed in 1981, AIA is the only franchise operation dedicated exclusively to
the promotional products industry. Each month there are around 12-15 new
franchise owners joining.
Commenting on the Hitachi and Raley's contract wins, Dick Nelson, CEO of
4imprint Group plc, said: 'Both of these contract wins are important to the
Group, not only because they are both 'blue chip' names but also as they have
been acquired through the AIA franchise owner network. Last year we purchased
AIA and it is particularly pleasing to see our strategy of combining these
highly active franchise owners with existing 4imprint technology, delivering
significant corporate business so quickly. We expect similar announcements to
follow from AIA in the coming months.'
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
4imprint Group plc
Dick Nelson, CEO Tel: +00 1 (920) 236 7270
Email: dnelson@4imprint.com
Issued by:
Bankside Consultants Limited
Henry Harrison-Topham / Russell Elliott Tel: +44 (0)20 7444 4140
Email: henry.ht@bankside.com
Notes to editors:
4imprint Group plc
The 4imprint Group plc is a leading international network of wholly-owned
companies in the highly fragmented $30 billion promotional products industry.
Globally, the Company is the largest direct marketer of imprinted promotional
products, and the fourth largest distributor. The Company's blue-chip roster
of clients includes BT, British Airways, Microsoft, BMW, Mercedes, Hitachi
Database Systems, Crawford, Amec, Raley's and Saturn and other leading
companies who use promotional products to build their brand and increase
customer loyalty. The Company operates in four distribution channels: direct
marketing, corporate programmes, premium and incentive promotions and partner
services.
The Group headquarters is in Manchester with other UK facilities in Woking,
Whitefield, Vauxhall and Bristol. The 4imprint US offices are located in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin and Quincy, Massachusetts. In addition, 4imprint has
operations in France, Germany, Canada and China.
4imprint has worked closely with clients for over 25 years in the use of
branded promotional products to support customers' marketing and branding
efforts. The Company offers the only global solution in the industry in the
areas of product sourcing and services.
The Company has developed proprietary systems that provide the easiest way to
order imprinted promotional products. Its full e-commerce enabled online
solutions provide customers with 24/7 access. 4imprint has 700 highly trained
employees and currently provides services to more than 200,000 customers,
including all of the Fortune 100(R) companies.
4imprint is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol FOUR. The
company has established an American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme in the
US for US-based investors.
Website: www.4imprint.com
www.4imprint.co.uk
www.4imprint.com/canada
Hitachi Data Systems
Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT),
is committed to helping customers exploit the value of information technology
for success in the internet economy. The Company is a leading provider of
business solutions for the world's most information-intensive corporations.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading
global electronics companies, with fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001)
consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($67.9 billion). The Company
manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers,
semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment.
Website: www.hds.com
Raleys
Founded in 1935 by Thomas P. Raley, the Company has grown to be the 18th
largest supermarket chain in the US and has been voted Number One supermarket
chain by a leading national consumer magazine in 1997 and 2000. Raley's, a
California-based family business is now headed up by the Founder's only
grandson, Michael J. Teel, who is President and Chief Executive Officer.
Raley's employs 17,000 staff and is rated the tenth largest employer in
California. In 2001, revenue for the Company was $3 billion.
Website: www.raleys.com
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