Electrical distributor’s team effort maintains customer services following natural disaster

DALLAS and NASHVILLE, Tenn., (June 16, 2010) – When middle Tennessee experienced its greatest amount of rainfall in recorded history on May 1 st and 2 nd, massive flooding devastated many homes and businesses in the area including the Rexel Inc. electrical distribution branch in Nashville. The 61,000 square foot facility, stocked with electrical and datacom products, was inundated with five feet of water and sewage, destroying all inventory and office equipment – a total loss. That’s when Rexel’s national organization, sister branches and community offices came to the rescue to help maintain customer services for the Nashville operation and its customers.

Immediately following the disaster, the Rexel Clarksville branch, approximately 45 miles away, offered interim quarters, phones and data lines to the Nashville sales team. Meanwhile, the Nashville operations team jumped into action to expedite occupancy in a new building, that was coincidentally – and fortunately – being completed for a summer 2010 grand opening. That structure itself had only been slightly damaged by the flood waters.

With the help of the local and regional Rexel teams, the Nashville crew worked closely with their new landlord, the Nashville chief of police, the mayor’s office and other officials to occupy and secure the Rexel location. Offices were set up in a rented trailer located next to the new branch site. Division management coordinated with vendors to replace the inventory that was destroyed, bringing the warehouse of this nearly completed facility to life as the shipments began to arrive.

The Rexel IT team secured computer equipment and established communications for the provisional location. Associates from the five sister branches in the region arrived on site and teamed up to help ready the branch. Rexel’s national operations team re-routed trucks, located new warehouse racking, and provided shipping equipment. The Rexel branch in Sacramento, California, shipped in wire racking, while the Doraville, Georgia, branch sent pipe racks. The Rexel branch in Melbourne, Florida, supplied a lift truck; the branch in Orlando sent generators, and the Tampa branch shipped over a counter desk and a wire machine.

This whole team effort made it possible for the temporary Nashville branch to be fully operational in just five days.

“The strength within Rexel and the pride of our associates generated the confidence to weather the storm,” remarked David Silas, regional operations manager, Middle Tennessee & Alabama. “The show of mutual support was unbelievable from locations across the country. It is a great feeling to know we have so many people supporting us.”  Incidentally, Silas’s first day in his role as regional operations manager was the day of the flood.

Site will enhance services to northern Colorado and southern Wyoming customers

DALLAS (June 7, 2010) – Rexel Inc., a leading distributor of electrical components and supplies, has announced plans to build a new distribution center in Loveland, Colorado, near the I-25/Crossroads Blvd. interchange. Construction is scheduled to begin this June, for completion in November 2010.

“This new location will enable us to deliver exceptional inventory and services to our customers throughout the northern Colorado and southern Wyoming region,” said John Bakovich, Rexel’s area manager. “The site’s proximity to I-25 and Highway 34 offers not just great visibility but also superb regional distribution access. Besides the excellent location, the new building will have a sizeable floor plan and a modern, energy efficient design, significantly enhancing Rexel’s ability to serve its customers more effectively.”

The new 20,000-square-foot facility will be built at 3680 Draft Horse in Loveland, consolidating Rexel’s current Loveland and two Fort Collins locations under a single roof.

“The hallmark of our services is guaranteeing quality customer service and assured in-stock availability,” said Bakovich. “Toward this goal, we offer 24-hour emergency service and our 25 minutes will-call guarantee. The new facility will only strengthen our commitment to our customers, with availability to them 24/7, 365 days a year and the addition of our industry leading Mid-Night Express for after-hours delivery.”

About Rexel
Rexel, a global leader in the distribution of electrical supplies, serves three main end markets: industrial, commercial and residential. The Group operates in 34 countries, with a network of some 2,200 branches and employs 28,000 people. Rexel’s sales were €11.3 billion in 2009. Its majority shareholders are an investor group led by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Eurazeo and BAML Capital Partners.

Rexel is listed on the Eurolist market of Euronext Paris (compartment A, ticker RXL, ISIN code FR0010451203). It is integrated in the following indices: NEXT 150, SBF 120, and CAC Mid 100.

Contact:
Doris Chumley
Marketing Programs Manager
Rexel
972-450-8526
dchumley@rexelusa.com

About Rexel Group

Rexel is the leading distributor worldwide of electrical supplies. With some 2,400 branches in 34 countries, most of the Group's 33,000 employees are in daily contact with clients (contractors, technicians and industrial customers) and process over 10 million orders per year. Rexel's ability to offer its customers innovative services ensures that it remains one step ahead as the uncontested leader in its markets. Rexel was listed on the Paris stock exchange until 2005 as a subsidiary of the PPR group and has since been owned by a private equity consortium led by Clayton Dubillier & Rice, Eurazeo and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity. Rexel returned to the Paris stock exchange through an IPO in April 2007.

For more information, visit Rexel’s web site at www.rexel.com

Contacts­­­­­­­­­­

For the US :

Christopher Hartmann W: (972) 387-3600 chartmann@rexelusa.com

For France :

Pénélope Linage
Responsable Presse & Information
   Rexel Group
   Tel : +33 1 42 85 76 28
   Mobile : +33 6 24 68 18 15

Rexel Investors Relations

Marc Maillet W:+ 33 1 42 85 76 12 mmaillet@rexel.com