Acquisition of Hagemeyer cleared by anti-trust authorities

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ACQUISITION OF HAGEMEYER CLEARED BY ANTI-TRUST AUTHORITIES

Reference is made to the recommended public offer made by Kelium S.A.S. (the Offeror), an indirect
subsidiary of Rexel S.A. (Rexel), for (i) all the issued and outstanding shares with a nominal value of EUR
1.20 each in the share capital of Hagemeyer N.V. (Hagemeyer) at a price of EUR 4.85 per share and (ii) all
issued and outstanding 3.50 percent subordinated convertible bonds due 2012 (the Offer).

The European Commission today authorized Rexel to proceed with its proposed acquisition of
Hagemeyer’s European assets.

The Commission required, as sole remedy, the post-closing divestiture by Rexel of Hagemeyer’s electrical
wholesale business in Ireland, representing less than 40 million EUR of sales.

This approval marks a significant step towards completion of this strategic transaction for Rexel and
Sonepar. Following the Commission’s authorization of Sonepar’s acquisition of the Sonepar Entities, as set
out in Section 5.16.4 and Section 8 of the offer memorandum dated 21 December 2007 (the Offer
Memorandum), it finalizes the set of antitrust approvals sought by both companies in connection with the
transaction.

Subject to the terms of the Offer Memorandum, the tender period under the Offer will expire at 15.00 hours,
Amsterdam time on 4 March 2008.