Amsterdam - US office supply manufacturer Staples has increased its bid for its Dutch counterpart Corporate Express, the company announced on Tuesday.
The US company is now offering 9.15 euros (14.24 dollars) per share, an increase of 1.15 euros per share.
The news comes two weeks before an extraordinary shareholders' meeting at Corporate Express, where the management is due to discuss the company's previous plans to takeover its French competitor Lyreco for 1.73 billion euros.
The takeover of Lyreco, which came shortly after Corporate Express rejected a takeover bid by Staples of 8 euros per share or 2.8 billion euros in total, including debts, is to be completed by the end of this year.
If Corporate Express takes over Lyreco, the combined turnover of the new company would amount to some 7.9 billion euros.
The new Corporate Express would then be the biggest player on the office supply market in North America, Europe and Asia.
In its new form, Corporate Express would receive 43 per cent of its turnover from Europe, 39 per cent from North America and 11 per cent from Asia. (dpa)