Agreement completes MBE's first phase of master plan for Scandinavia
For Immediate Release
Contact: MAIL BOXES ETC.
Mail Boxes Etc. Global Headquarters
(858) 455-8982
PR@mbe.com
SAN DIEGO (September 20, 1999) -
Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE), the world’s largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers, recently announced plans to expand into the Swedish market through a master license agreement with Stockholm-based company Svenska Tjanstebutiker AB. The principals of the MBE master licensee in Sweden include the chairman and founder of McDonald’s Sweden and two former CEOs of Volvo. A former managing partner with Goldman Sachs, London, also has been named as a principal of the MBE master licensee.
"The European market is a key region for MBE’s international expansion and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to bring MBE’s services to consumers and businesses throughout Europe," said James Amos, MBE president and chief executive officer. "A unique feature of the MBE concept is its adaptability to the needs and market conditions of various countries and cultures around the world. We look forward to bringing the MBE concept to the entire Scandinavian region."
Svenska Tjanstebutiker acquired the master license rights for Sweden in response to the opportunities presented by rapid growth in the number of small businesses and consumers requiring convenient high-quality retail business support services. Preliminary plans by the master licensee call for the opening of an MBE pilot center in Stockholm in November 1999.
"There is a strong and increasing demand from consumers and businesses in Sweden for the services provided by MBE," said Per Magnuson, CEO of the MBE master licensee. "The MBE system is being utilized in many parts of the world. We’re confident in the adaptability of MBE’s business model to the Swedish market."
Svenka Tjanstebutiker’s business plan envisions approximately 70 MBE centers throughout Sweden during the next 10 years.
MBE is actively seeking master licensees in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and Belgium for future development of the MBE concept in Europe.
Mail Boxes Etc., a wholly owned subsidiary of US Office Products Company (NASDAQ: OFIS), is the
world's largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers. There are
more than 4,000 MBE locations operating worldwide, with master licensing agreements in place for the
development of the MBE business in 60 countries around the world. In the United States, MBE centers are
owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside the United States, MBE
centers are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site
at http://www.mbe.com.
US Office Products is one of North America’s leading providers of office supplies and coffee, office
furniture, and vending services. In addition to Mail Boxes Etc., USOP owns Blue Star Group Limited,
a leading supplier of office products and business services in New Zealand and Australia. In addition,
USOP owns a 49% interest in Dudley Stationery Limited, the second largest contract stationer in the
United Kingdom. USOP’s Web site can be found at www.usop.com.
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