ITASCA, Ill. /diversitybusiness.com/ Boise Cascade Office Products today announced its strategic alliance with Div2000.com, a nationally recognized Web site designed to foster supplier diversity among minority- and women-owned businesses and Fortune 1000 companies. Boise, a leader in supporting supplier diversity and minority business development, is the first in the office products industry to partner with Div2000.com.

"For 28 years, Boise has demonstrated leadership with and commitment to minority- and women-owned businesses," said Wanda Lewis, supplier diversity manager at Boise. "We see our alliance with Div2000.com as the next step in encouraging and promoting supplier diversity -- both within our organization and with our customers."

In partnering with Div2000.com, Boise offers minority businesses the opportunity to register their products and services online at www.bcop.com . Based on the registration information provided, each business will be reviewed and asked to provide proof of proper certification. The database of qualified businesses is compiled as an online directory that will benefit both Boise associates and customers.

The directory will be available to Boise associates to help them locate minority businesses for products and services. Vendor searches can be conducted using various criteria including geographic location and type of product or service. Registered minority businesses can also use the site to communicate company accomplishments and upcoming events.

Boise will also make the directory available to its customers interested in identifying certified minority businesses. As part of its existing supplier diversity program, Boise offers its customers more than 400 office- related products manufactured by minority- and women-owned businesses in its printed and online catalogs. The partnership with Div2000.com will expand the selection by referring minority businesses that can provide services in addition to office products.

About Div2000.com

Div2000.com is a Web site produced and funded by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii), one of the country's leading multicultural owned information technology professional services firms. The site was launched in 1999 and is the only information resource that provides all the necessary data for the national expansion of multicultural owned businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently presented its annual award for the nations top diversity owned business to CCA for its development of Div2000.com and its commitment to business development for diversity business owners.

About Boise Cascade Office Products

Boise Cascade Office Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boise Cascade Corporation, is a premier multinational distributor of office and technology products, office furniture, and paper, with annual sales totaling $3.7 billion. The company, based in Itasca, Ill., has customers ranging in size from the smallest of organizations to multinational corporations. Boise has operations throughout the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and services customers in Europe through a joint venture with Guilbert S.A. Boise is a leader in business-to-business e-commerce and expects its U.S. online sales to reach an annualized rate of approximately $800 million in 2001. Boise's address on the Internet is http://www.bcop.com .

CONTACT: Matt Parsons of Boise Cascade Office Products, +1-847-762-7698, or Jodi Zirbel of Bader Rutter & Associates, +1-262-784-7200, for Boise Cascade Office Products