For immediate release on 1 October 2004

Vedior announces that it has signed a contract to dispose of its 51% interest in Niscom Inc. (“Niscom” or “the Company”).

Niscom reported sales for the year ended 31 December 2003 of Yen 16.8 billion (€128 million) and its contribution to Vedior’s net income after tax and minority interests but before amortization of goodwill was €2 million.

Zach Miles, Vedior’s Chief Executive said, “Japan is one of Vedior’s key markets for expansion given its positive economic, legislative and demographic trends. However, in this instance Niscom’s management wishes to take the company in a specific strategic direction which does not suit the overall strategic focus of Vedior. We have therefore concluded that the interests of both parties are best served through this disposal.”

Vedior continues to be represented in the Japanese market through its investment in the fast growing specialist healthcare staffing brand, Supernurse, and its outplacement subsidiary, Fairplace Consulting. The disposal of Niscom will facilitate the pursuit of other opportunities for Vedior to expand its operations in the Japanese market.


Notes to Editors:

With annual 2003 sales of €5,970 million, Vedior is one of the world’s largest staffing companies measured by sales. The Group operates in 36 countries worldwide including Europe, North America, Australasia, South Africa, Latin America and Asia. Vedior provides a broad range of staffing services including temporary staffing, permanent placement and other employment-related services. We offer temporary staffing in both the traditional administrative/light industrial and specialist sectors such as information technology, healthcare, accounting, engineering and education.

For further information, please contact:

Zach Miles, Chief Executive +31 (0)20 573 5609
Frits Vervoort, CFO
Jelle Miedema, Company Secretary