Vedior North America Unifies Its Engineering and CAD Staffing Divisions


-- Integration of Sapphire Design and ATS Reliance Uniquely Positions Vedior North America to Service the Engineering and CAD Industries --

Wakefield, MA, 10.31.06 - In an effort to better service its client and candidate base in the engineering and CAD sectors, Vedior North America will combine the U.S. operations of ATS Reliance and Sapphire Design. The newly expanded division will operate under the Sapphire Design brand and will be headquartered in Rochester, New York. ATS Reliance offices in Canada will continue operations under the ATS Reliance brand.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 million jobs will be unfilled in 2010. This trend is primarily driven by the retirement of the oldest baby boomers, but in many industries, including the engineering and CAD sector, the shortage of workers is exacerbated by a lack of skilled workers holding the necessary degrees. The Science & Engineering Indicators 2006 report from the National Science Board found that between 1980 and 2000, science and engineering degrees only grew at an annual rate of 1.4 percent while the number of jobs in that industry grew by 4.2 percent. Furthermore, almost 30 percent of all scientists and engineers currently employed are age 50 or older.

"The demand for qualified engineers and CAD specialists continues to grow," said Tim Kolb, Managing Director of Sapphire Design. "We are confident that the integration of ATS Reliance and Sapphire Design will allow us to better serve our clients by providing a deeper pool of candidate talent. In addition, our candidates will enjoy a more robust job pipeline that will allow for greater personal and financial advancement."

Moving forward, Sapphire Design intends to employ more recruiters and to offer more innovative recruiting solutions to address its clients' increasing needs. Clients will also benefit from a centralized administration function that eases the burden of seeking qualified talent.

"By streamlining our engineering and CAD staffing operations, Vedior North America is better able to capitalize on a growing demand for highly qualified workers in the engineering and CAD industries," stated Greg Netland, CEO of Vedior North America. "By creating a single division and brand that serves the U.S. engineering and CAD markets, we are able to provide our clients access to more qualified workers. This integration also supports our broader strategy of providing industry specific staffing solutions under the Vedior North America umbrella."

The integration of ATS Reliance and Sapphire Design is effective immediately.

About Sapphire Design
Sapphire Design has provided highly skilled engineering and design consultants to local and national clients since 1984. The company is a proven leader in the US CAD/CAM Engineering industry and specialize in Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Technologies for the following market sectors; Automotive, Aerospace, Heavy Truck & Equipment, Medical, Telecommunications & Semiconductor.




About Vedior North America
For the most prestigious organizations across a wide range of industries, Vedior North America offers a one-stop global staffing solution. Vedior NA is able to flexibly tap into all of the specialized skills required to quickly adapt to every business condition. Unlike "general purpose" staffing companies, Vedior NA's staff possesses the market sector experience needed to ensure the optimal fit between its clients' needs and their experienced talent pool. Vedior NA is part of the Netherlands-based Vedior, NV, one of the world's largest staffing companies with a diversified portfolio of brands targeting a broad range of industry sectors in 44 countries.

Vedior's shares are listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange and included in the AEX index of most actively traded securities under the symbol VDR. For correct stock information in North America, use the VDOR.AS symbol.

For more information of Vedior North America, visit www.VediorNA.com. For more information on Vedior, NV, visit www.Vedior.com.

Press Contacts:

Vedior North America
Julie de Garavilla
781.213.1531 (T)
781.213.1520 (F)
julie.degaravilla@vediorna.com
www.vediorna.com

SHIFT Communications
Maura Landry
617.681.1229 (T)
617.242.7372 (F)
mlandry@shiftcomm.com
www.shiftcomm.com