GlobalCollects’s single online payment platform enables Bakker Hillegom to streamline its international cash management structure and reduce administrative costs for the collection of customer payments from 15 countries.

Amsterdam --- June 12, 2006 --- With its headquarters and three production facilities in the Netherlands, Bakker is achieving more than 90% of its sales turnover on export. The company operates under the two brands Bakker and Spalding Plant & Bulb Company. While processing some 30,000 catalogue and online orders throughout Europe each day in the peak of the seasons, the company is sending the merchandise directly to the country of destination. 

GlobalCollect provides the company with collection and reconciliation services for a total of 15 European countries. In addition, Bakker customers enjoy the opportunity to pay in local currencies with local payment methods that include credit and debit cards as well as Direct Debits.

Bart Maas, CFO of Bakker says: “By using GlobalCollect’s single payment platform interface, we are outsourcing our local bank account handling, thereby considerably improving our cash management and reducing administration costs. We see GlobalCollect as a trusted and ideal partner for the collection and reconciliation of our payments throughout Europe. We particularly appreciate the quality of the consultancy GlobalCollect provides on payment instruments, regulations, clearing and reporting systems.”

 Jan Manten, CEO of GlobalCollect, says: “We are eager to play an important part in the continued growth of Bakker by providing them with international payment services and supporting them in further expansion plans. GlobalCollect enables Bakker to have a clear and up-to-date financial status overview for all the countries of their extensive customer base. We believe that our services generate considerable savings.”