Consorta Extends Contract With OfficeMax Through 2008

ITASCA, Ill., Jan. 3 -2005-- OfficeMax(R), one of the nation's largest office supply distributors, has extended its contract with Consorta, a leading group purchasing and resource management organization in the health care industry, in a three-year deal to continue bringing first-rate customer service, cost savings and next-day delivery to Consorta's more than 2,400 shareholder organizations and affiliates.

OfficeMax, (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) which has worked with Consorta since 2001, will continue to provide office products, copy paper and computer supplies to Consorta's members nationwide. In renewing the contract, Consorta cited OfficeMax's superior customer service, professionalism and its ability to provide overall cost savings and professional representation as key factors.

"Our continued relationship with Consorta is testament to our positive track record in furnishing quality products, next-day delivery and competitive pricing," said Mike Rowsey, contract division president, OfficeMax. "OfficeMax is proud to keep providing personalized service and overall savings to Consorta's members and affiliates."

OfficeMax provides highly personalized shopping and ordering capabilities such as innovative internet purchasing options and product selections to meet the needs of the heath care industry.

"Our members chose OfficeMax because they have been a great partner for many years bringing quality products and service to our entire membership, including acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities and social service agencies," said Kevin Soyke, director of support services for Consorta. "OfficeMax provides significant cost savings and great customer service that our members have rewarded with a new contract."

About OfficeMax Incorporated

OfficeMax Incorporated is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products. OfficeMax delivers an unparalleled customer experience -- in service, in product, in time savings, and in value -- through a relentless focus on its customers. The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to consumers and to large, medium and small businesses. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 40,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, the Internet and approximately 950 superstores. OfficeMax trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OMX. To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX. For more information, visit http://www.officemax.com/ .

About Consorta

Consorta, based in suburban Chicago, is a leading health care resource management and group purchasing organization whose shareholders are faith- based or non-profit health systems. As a cooperative, Consorta's shareholders and participants share fully in the organization's bottom-line performance and receive significant discounts through scale purchasing economies. Consorta's shareholders are among the leading integrators of non-profit health care in America, sponsoring significant care providers in many parts of the country. Consorta's 13 shareholder health care systems represent 60 percent of all Catholic hospitals in the United States, own many extended and alternate care sites and have extensive affiliate relationships with other non-profit hospitals and alternate care facilities. For more information, visit http://www.consorta.com/ .

Source : OfficeMax