Corporate Environments Defies Furniture Industry Slump with Major Account Wins.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2002

Attracts Impressive New Client Roster Including the Georgia World

Congress Center, AGL Resources, and the Atlanta Falcons

Corporate Environments, a leading full-service contract furnishings and office systems company, announced today it has won a number of major client projects and will remain profitable despite a two year slump in the corporate furniture industry.

According to the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association, the U.S. furniture industry has seen a 30 percent decline in business over the last two years and is experiencing significant consolidation in the marketplace.

Despite this troubling trend, Corporate Environments remains one of the top five office furniture dealers in metro Atlanta. With 2001 sales reaching the $46.7 million mark, the 130-employee company continues to provide exceptional service coupled with creative ideas that compliment the needs of traditional and new economy businesses alike.

"Very few businesses have not been affected by the struggling economy during the past two years - the furniture industry is no exception," said Karen Hughes, president and co-owner of Corporate Environments. "The difficulties, however, have inspired Corporate Environments' creative energy. Our talented staff has adapted to the changing marketplace and continues to exceed client expectations."

In addition to retaining an impressive list of long-standing customers such as AOL Time/Warner, United Parcel Service, The Coca-Cola Company, GE Power Systems, Georgia Pacific and Equifax, Corporate Environments is building a strong new portfolio. New account wins include:

-- Georgia World Congress Center (New Expansion)

-- AGL Resources (New Corporate Headquarters)

-- Atlanta Falcons (Renovation)

-- Yamacraw (Midtown Headquarters)

-- Atlanta Classic Cars (Gwinnett Showroom)

This year, Corporate Environments contributed to a large project for the Georgia World Congress Center, a leading North American meeting and exhibition facility. The GWCC's 1.4 million square-foot expansion will increase the facility's overall space by 50 percent and ranks Atlanta among the top five convention destinations in the U.S. The development promises to boost tourism and is projected to have a $1.5 billion per year economic impact on Georgia.

"Successful conferences are often judged by attendee numbers and this development will play a critical role in attracting large conventions. To that point, the new facility must provide significant additional space as well as a welcoming, professional atmosphere," said Dan Graveline, Executive Director of the Georgia World Congress Center. "With help from Corporate Environments, the new expansion meets both of these requirements. The state-of-the-art workplace furnishing provided by CE conveys the professionalism of the facility while maintaining its functionality."

Further enhancing its services, Corporate Environments plans to launch a customized eProcurement site later this fall that will allow customers to place secure orders online. The password-protected site will be branded specifically for each client, giving the buyer an additional level of personal attention and the feeling they are ordering through their own corporate office, rather than from an outside vendor.

Finally, Corporate Environments will open an Outlet Center later this year. The new facility is located near the intersection of I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard and will offer substantial savings on unique, high-quality corporate furniture.

About Corporate Environments

Since 1986, Corporate Environments has served the business community both locally and nationally. An Atlanta-based, full-service contract furnishings and office systems dealership, Corporate Environments provides competitively priced, performance driven work environments and value added services which meet the needs of large and small corporate clients. The company strives to meet the growing demand for state-of-the-art workplace furniture that not only enhances a business image, but also increases efficiency and productivity. For more information, visit http://www.corporateenvironments.com./