STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) today announced that it has acquired Groupe MAG, a distributor of finishing equipment used by commercial printers, and production mail equipment, software and service in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. This business will be managed as a separate unit within the company's International operation, which is led by Patrick Keddy, President, Mailstream International.

"Today's transaction is another step in our strategy to enhance customer value and grow our business," said Michael J. Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes. "With this acquisition we continue to extend our distribution capabilities and reconfirm our commitment to Document Messaging Technologies in our International markets."

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 Groupe MAG generated revenue of Euros 43 million. In accordance with French labor law, the proposed transaction has received a positive opinion from Groupe MAG's employee representatives. It has approximately 225 employees in six offices in France and one in Belgium.

Pitney Bowes is the world's leading provider of integrated mail and document management systems, services and solutions. The $4.6 billion company helps organizations of all sizes efficiently and effectively manage their mission-critical mail and document flow in physical, digital and hybrid formats. Its solutions range from addressing software and metering systems to print stream management, electronic bill presentment and presort mail services. The company's 80-plus years of technological leadership has produced many major innovations in the mailing industry and more than 3,500 active patents with applications in a variety of markets, including printing, shipping, encryption, and financial services. With approximately 33,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. For more information about Pitney Bowes please visit http://www.pb.com.

The statements contained in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements with the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends" and other similar words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about growth strategies, market expansion, etc. Such forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: severe adverse changes in the economic environment, timely development and acceptance of new products or gaining product approval; successful entry into new markets; changes in interest rates; and changes in postal regulations, as more fully outlined in the company's 2003 Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements are subject to change based on the timing and specific terms of any announced acquisitions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and we do not assume any obligation to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Sheryl Battles

VP, Corporate Communications

203-351-6808

SOURCE  Pitney Bowes Inc.
    -0-                             12/16/2004
    /CONTACT:  Sheryl Battles, VP, Corporate Communications, +1-203-351-6808,
or Charles F. McBride, VP, Investor Relations, +1-203-351-6349, both of Pitney
Bowes Inc./
    /Web site:  http://www.pb.com /
    (PBI)

CO:  Pitney Bowes Inc.; Groupe MAG
ST:  Connecticut, France, Belgium, Luxembourg
IN:  CPR OFP STW PEL
SU:  TNM

NM 
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9645 12/16/2004 16:05 EST http://www.prnewswire.com