Berner Group to process payments on the Wirecard platform

PRESS RELEASE / E-commerce
<strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>process</strong> <strong>payments</strong> on the Wirecard
platform
The Munich-based technology group is offering a comprehensive
package of solutions for the wholesale company’s international online
s<strong>to</strong>res
Grasbrunn near Munich, January 17, 2010; The <strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong>, which is
based in Künzelsau, Germany, is a leading direct sales company operating
across Europe and specializing in small components for professional use in
the construction and au<strong>to</strong>motive segments as well as in industry. Roughly
8,000 employees ensure that cus<strong>to</strong>mers benefit from their relations with
<strong>Berner</strong>.
The company has recently opted for the services provided by Wirecard AG
of Munich for <strong>process</strong>ing <strong>payments</strong> at its German online s<strong>to</strong>re. In the future,
cus<strong>to</strong>mers in a <strong>to</strong>tal of 14 countries will be able <strong>to</strong> order the articles offered
by the <strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong> via the Internet; depending on the national company,
the range comprises between 10,000 and 30,000 articles. As of next year,
<strong>Berner</strong>’s cus<strong>to</strong>mers in France will be the next <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> place their
orders on line, with further countries <strong>to</strong> follow step by step.
The package of solutions comprises the <strong>process</strong>ing of <strong>payments</strong>, risk
management and credit-card acceptance for e-commerce ordering
<strong>process</strong>es. With the extensive package of solutions provided by Wirecard
AG, the <strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong> will be able <strong>to</strong> utilize payment <strong>process</strong>ing services
from a single source: The handling of payment <strong>process</strong>es via the Wirecard
Payment Page permits transparent controlling, allowing the individual
transactions <strong>to</strong> be moni<strong>to</strong>red directly. Innovative risk management methods
specifically tailored <strong>to</strong> meet the direct sales company’s needs provide
optimum protection against the risk of payment defaults. At the same time,
Wirecard Bank AG handles acquiring for <strong>process</strong>ing credit card <strong>payments</strong>.
In its relations with Wirecard AG, <strong>Berner</strong> additionally benefits from
maximum flexibility. Thus, for example, it is possible <strong>to</strong> integrate further
payment methods within the payment platform swiftly and simply if
required.
Explains Alexander Emmert, Head of International Alternative Distribution
Channels at <strong>Berner</strong>: “After extensive investigations, we opted for a singlesource
solution. This is because our international orientation calls for
convenient and transparent contractual structures. What was also important
for us was <strong>to</strong> work with a service provider who is able <strong>to</strong> provide optimum
support for our strategic objective of boosting profitability. By working with
Wirecard, we are able <strong>to</strong> simplify our back-office <strong>process</strong>es substantially,
thus reducing time requirements and cutting costs.”
Wirecard AG | Bre<strong>to</strong>nischer Ring 4 | 85630 Grasbrunn 1
Phone: +49 (0) 89 / 4424 - 0400 | Fax: +49 (0) 89 / 4424 - 0500
E-Mail: presse@wirecard.com | www.wirecard.com

In addition <strong>to</strong> the extensive range of products, <strong>Berner</strong>’s cus<strong>to</strong>mers
particularly appreciate the practical special functions. For example, eprocurement
functions allow them <strong>to</strong> optimize their ordering <strong>process</strong>es by
using cost-center and budget management.
“Our partnership with the <strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong> confirms that with our commitment
<strong>to</strong> providing all solutions from a single source we are able <strong>to</strong> provide
retailers with the support they require. Transparent and harmonized
<strong>process</strong>es offer decisive added value particularly for internationally active
companies which operate multiple s<strong>to</strong>res under a single roof,” explains
Marion Laewe, Head of Sales eCommerce, Division Consumer Goods at
Wirecard AG.
BTI Befestigungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG, which is also a member of the
<strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong>, offers a specialized range for builders and is already using
Wirecard AG’s payment platform for its online shop.
Wirecard media contact:
Wirecard AG
Iris Stöckl
Bre<strong>to</strong>nischer Ring 4
D-85630 Grasbrunn
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 4424 1424
Fax: +49 (0) 89 4424 2424
E-Mail: iris.s<strong>to</strong>eckl@wirecard.com
Internet: www.wirecard.com
<strong>Berner</strong> media contact:
<strong>Berner</strong> SE
<strong>Berner</strong>straße 6
D-74653 Künzelsau
Kommunikation International
Sibylle Kolb
Tel.: +49 (0) 7940 121-632
Fax.: +49 (0) 7940 121-11632
E-Mail: sibylle.kolb@berner-group.com
Internet: www.berner-group.com
Wirecard AG | Bre<strong>to</strong>nischer Ring 4 | 85630 Grasbrunn 2
Phone: +49 (0) 89 / 4424 - 0400 | Fax: +49 (0) 89 / 4424 - 0500
E-Mail: presse@wirecard.com | www.wirecard.com

About the <strong>Berner</strong> <strong>Group</strong>:
<strong>Berner</strong> is one of the leading European direct sales companies specializing in small
components for professional use in the construction and au<strong>to</strong>motive sec<strong>to</strong>r as well as in
industry. Roughly 8,000 qualified and knowledgeable employees - including 5,000 in the
external sales force - ensure each day that cus<strong>to</strong>mers in over 20 European countries receive
comprehensive and professional service.
It is guided by its commitment <strong>to</strong> a successful partnership with its cus<strong>to</strong>mers. One of the key
determinants of <strong>Berner</strong>’s success is its dedication <strong>to</strong> aligning the range of its products <strong>to</strong>
meet the needs of target cus<strong>to</strong>mer groups combined with close and ongoing dialog with its
cus<strong>to</strong>mers. With its ability <strong>to</strong> adjust <strong>to</strong> conditions in regional markets and the needs of local
cus<strong>to</strong>mers, <strong>Berner</strong> can respond flexibly <strong>to</strong> different users.
www.berner-group.com | www.berner.de | www.bti.de
About Wirecard AG:
Wirecard AG is one of the leading international providers of electronic payment and risk
management solutions. Worldwide, the Wirecard <strong>Group</strong> supports over 11,000 companies
from various industry segments in their efforts <strong>to</strong> au<strong>to</strong>mate their payment <strong>process</strong>es and
minimize cases of default. Wirecard Bank AG is a Principal Member of Visa, MasterCard
and JCB and operates as a credit card acquirer in 69 countries around the world, involving
over 100 transaction currencies and 15 payout currencies. Part of the Wirecard <strong>Group</strong>,
Wirecard Bank provides innovative solutions in the fields of corporate banking, prepaid and
co-branded cards, along with account products for both business and private cus<strong>to</strong>mers.
Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060,
WDI).
www.wirecard.com | www.wirecardbank.com | www.mywirecard.com
Wirecard AG | Bre<strong>to</strong>nischer Ring 4 | 85630 Grasbrunn 3
Phone: +49 (0) 89 / 4424 - 0400 | Fax: +49 (0) 89 / 4424 - 0500
E-Mail: presse@wirecard.com | www.wirecard.com