In 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express (previously known as Buhrmann), expanding its contract offering to a global market.

Samuel Barker, Jr., who had lied about his age so he could fight in the Civil War (Wisconsin 37th Regiment), afterward went to Cleveland in 1865 with 35 cents in his pocket.

[3][6] The company became one of the leading office-supply firms in northern Ohio, and by the 1950s was also offering metal and wood office furniture.

Corporate Express was founded by Jirka Rysavy, also the founder of Gaiam, in 1986 in Boulder, Colorado.

Initially a regional office products retailer with 11 employees located in one small building, the company established a program of strategic procurement solutions as an industry innovation.

Reflecting the new single focus, it was decided to change the name of the company to Corporate Express N.V. in April 2004.

[8] United States-based office supplies retailer Staples Inc. launched an unsolicited acquisition bid for the company on 19 February 2008, offering €7.25 per share.

[12] After this too was rejected, a final offer of €9.25 per share (valuing Corporate Express at €1.68 billion) was accepted by the board on 11 June.