Adecco Acquires Paris License Office of Olsten Staffing Services.

Business Editors

PARIS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2000

Adecco, the nation's--and the world's--leader in staffing services today announced that it has acquired the license office of Olsten Staffing Services at 1305 Lamar Avenue in Paris.

The office began operating under the Adecco name on November 1, and specializes in solving the staffing needs of its clients, focusing especially on temporary light industrial and clerical positions.

In August 1999, Olsten Corporation announced it had agreed to merge its staffing and information technology services businesses with Adecco, and the transaction was completed on March 15, 2000. The acquisition of Olsten's Paris license office is part of Adecco's continuing campaign to broaden its presence and increase depth of service coverage for business and industry in northeast Texas.

Adecco Area Manager Pamelia Rogers remarks, "Since 1995, Olsten has been a respected name in the staffing business in Paris. In acquiring this office, we take the next step in our growth, and will continue to provide the exceptional services for which both organizations are known. In fact, our clients will continue to receive the same service they are accustomed to, as Adecco has kept every member of the very effective Olsten team on board."

Growth will come from renewed emphasis on recruiting. Lamar County's unemployment rate stood at 4.8 percent in September. "Low unemployment makes recruiting temporary employees a top priority for our clients, and we are committed to meeting--and exceeding--their needs. Adecco leverages innovative technology to recruit associates and match them with employers," says Branch Manager Nancy Minter, formerly office manager for the Olsten license office.

Rogers points out that the acquisition of the Olsten license office presents "an opportunity to combine Adecco's vast network and resources with the local market expertise of the former Olsten office, further enhancing customer service."

About Adecco

Adecco SA is the global leader in personnel services, connecting more than 600,000 temporary associates with businesses each day through a network of over 28,000 employees and over 4,500 offices in 60 countries around the world. Headquartered in Switzerland, and managed by a multinational team with expertise in markets spanning the globe, Adecco delivers an unparalleled range of flexible staffing and career resources to corporate clients and qualified associates.

Adecco provides clients with staffing services and solutions covering all major industries as well as specific professions. The worldwide Adecco brand network focuses on global industries in transition, including automotive, banking, electronics, logistics, and telecommunications.

Adecco North America serves more than 50,000 clients a year through 2,000 points of sales and service in every state and seven Canadian provinces. With headquarters in Melville, NY, Adecco North America employs about 5,000 full time employees and places more than 160,000 temporary associates each week.

Adecco SA is listed on The Swiss Exchange (ADECCO N (ADEN 700'939)), NYSE (ADO), the Bourse de Paris (RM 12819). Further information can be found at www.adecco.com.