DirectGroup Bertelsmann will bundle the sourcing activities for print and paper for 15 book clubs in 13 countries across Europe. Additionally, the specifications and formats of the print products will be standardized on a pan-European level. In order to achieve this, the orders will be negotiated centrally. Simultaneously, a joint eMarket platform will be established on the Internet. In this way, improvement potentials for the sourcing and suppliers are to be realized. The order value of DirectGroup for print products amounts to approximately 200 million Euro per year. The eMarket platform is the central tool for the bundling of print orders; through it, the placing of an offer as well as the processing of an order will be possible. The platform will contribute to improving the status of information flowing between seller and buyer and to facilitating communication. In a second phase, the platform will be opened up to third- party companies, both inside and outside of Bertelsmann AG. An estimated 100 clients and 150 print companies can place offers throughout Europe through this channel. With its companies, Bertelsmann AG is among the top clients for the European printing and paper industry. Dr. Klaus Eierhoff, the Head of DirectGroup and Member of the Executive Board of Bertelsmann AG, stated, " For Bertelsmann, we will mobilize considerable cost reserves and are thus also contributing to the improvement of the result within DirectGroup. The possibilities of the Internet are consistently being used for pan-European sourcing. With the eMarket platform, we're creating a unique offer for customers and suppliers and thus become an engine of innovation for the printing industry in Europe. " The service unit of DirectGroup under the direction of Dr. Peter Kallweit is responsible for the bundling of the print and paper orders. Patrick Ohle, located in Munich, is responsible for negotiations and the marketplace. About DirectGroup Bertelsmann DirectGroup Bertelsmann has been directing the end customer businesses of Bertelsmann AG since July 2000. With a total of about 50 million customers and members, the DirectGroup comprises the book and music clubs worldwide as well as the global e- commerce businesses. Bertelsmann is the global market leader with respect to media clubs and, with BOL, CDNow and BN.com, is the number two worldwide with respect to media e-commerce activities. The DirectGroup, next to Content and Services, is one of the three supporting pillars of Bertelsmann's overall strategy. Dr. Klaus Eierhoff heads the Group whose total revenues for fiscal year 2000/01 are projected to be approximately DM 7 billion. With 13,000 employees the division is active in 24 countries and contributes a great deal to the internationality of the Bertelsmann Group. ots Original Text Service: DirectGroup Bertelsmann Internet: http://recherche.newsaktuell.de Contact: Gerd Koslowski, DirectGroup Bertelsmann Phone ++ 49 5241 8041555, gerd.koslowski@bertelsmann.de