Global DirectMail Shareholders Change Name To Systemax, Reflecting Successful Web Sites, PCs.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1999--

Global DirectMail Corp (NYSE:GML) announced at the Annual Meeting today that shareholders approved changing the Company's name to Systemax Inc. with the NYSE trading symbol SYX and the web site www.systemax.com, effective Wednesday, May 19th 1999. The change reflects growing success of the Company's integrated marketing system -- featuring Internet, account relationship, and catalog sales combined with the success of the Company's fast-growing Systemax(TM) brand of build-to-order PCs.

Global also will consolidate the branding of its other build-to-order desktops and servers under the Systemax name, add a new direct response advertising element to the Company's marketing plan, and expand distribution of Systemax PCs to other domestic retailers and into Europe. Richard Leeds, Chairman and CEO, said branding consolidation would enable the Company to obtain significant advertising leverage throughout all marketing channels. Systemax plans to continue Ultra(TM) brand PCs for Value-Added Resellers (VARs).

Systemax is positioned as "The Perfect PC(TM)," offering three distinct advantages to customers in the $50 billion, unbranded "white box" segment of the PC market as opposed to the $30 billion segment dominated by major brands.

1. Systemax offers the same or better quality and service as the

major name brands through relationships with the same third

party component and warranty vendors -- but at a

significantly lower price.

2. Through relationship marketing teams that focus on mid- to

large-sized corporate accounts, Systemax offers a high degree

of sales and product personalization. This enables accounts

to configure small to large quantities of PCs to exact

specifications. As a result, most machines can be connected

directly into corporate networks with little in-house setup.

3. Offering more than 40,000 products, Systemax can be a

customer's single source for build-to-order PCs as well as

computer supplies, business furniture, and industrial

equipment. This reduces the number of suppliers a customer

has to deal with, saving time and money.

In North America, Systemax reaches consumer and small office-home office customers through the Company's www.tigerdirect.com site and TigerDirect catalog; mid-size corporate customers through www.mwmicro.com and the MidWest Micro catalog; the VAR market through www.infoteldistributing.com and the Infotel catalog; and mid- and large-size corporate customers through www.dartek.com, www.globalcomputer.com, and www.miscousa.com and the Dartek, Global and MISCO USA catalogs. In Europe, Systemax will manufacture PCs at the Company's facility in the U.K. and market them through its various European divisions.

Results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1999 showed sales increased 18% to $422 million with a 248% increase in Internet sales to a record $18 million; a 28% increase in PC sales to a record $92 million; and a 29% increase in Relationship Marketing sales to a record $138 million.

About Systemax Inc.

Systemax Inc. has developed an integrated system of branded e-commerce web sites, direct mail catalogs, and relationship marketing to sell private label and name brand PC hardware, related supplies, and industrial products to businesses in North America and Europe. With more than $1.5 billion in sales, Systemax is a Fortune 1000 company that is listed on the NYSE and traded under the symbol SYX.

E-commerce web sites in North America and Europe include: www.globalcomputer.com, www.mwmicro.com, www.tigerdirect.com, www.dartek.com, www.infoteldistributing.com, www.systemaxpc.com, www.miscousa.com, www.instantsoftware.com, www.ezbid.com, www.globaldirect.co.uk, www.simply.co.uk, www.06.nu, www.hcsmisco.fr, www.misco.de, www.misco.co.uk, www.dabus.se, and www.misco.it.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may include certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of revenue, income or loss and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, financing needs, plans relating to products or services of the Company, assessments of materiality, predictions of future events and the effects of pending and possible litigation, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. In addition, when used in this discussion, the words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "intends", "plans" and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including but not limited to (i) the Company's ability to manage rapid growth as a result of internal expansion and strategic acquisitions, (ii) the effect on the Company of volatility in the price of paper and periodic increases in postage rates, (iii) the operation of the Company's management information systems, including the costs and effects associated with the year 2000 date change problem, (iv) the general risks attendant to the conduct of business in foreign countries, including currency fluctuations associated with sales not denominated in U.S. dollars, (v) significant changes in the computer products retail industry, especially relating to the distribution and sale of such products, (vi) competition in the computer and computer related products, office products and industrial products markets from superstores, direct marketers, the Internet and other retailers, (vii) the potential for expanded imposition of state sales, use or other taxes and additional government regulation on direct marketers, (viii) the continuation of key vendor relationships, including the ability to continue to receive vendor supported advertising, (ix) timely availability of existing and new products, and (x) risks due to shifts in market demand and/or price erosion of owned inventory. These factors are discussed in greater detail in "Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.