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Further enable web strategies

Technology means business, and our customers are increasingly using Internet-based solutions to facilitate their research or manage aspects of their manufacturing projects. We understand that enabling their success is closely tied to our growth, and e-commerce is the marketplace of the future. With that in mind, we plan to continually elevate our Internet performance to provide a robust and user-friendly online experience that adds value through advanced tools, products and content. We believe we stand apart with easy-to-use online tools and a knowledge base that fosters better collaboration and exchange of ideas. By doing this, we can better understand and serve our customers and remain a true partner in their research endeavors.

STRONG ADOPTION The year 2008 was a record for sales generated through electronic channels, with 42% of worldwide research sales coming through the website and other electronic channels. In October, we exceeded three million visits to our website, a new record. Additionally, business-to-business connections increased by 69%, helped in part by cutting connection times in half. We expect online use to continue its rise, and we plan to move forward to improve capabilities that serve our customers and strengthen our web leadership.

RICH IN CONTENT A redesigned website provided better search capabilities with additional content, and a new web content management system improved performance and speed. Through search engine optimization, customers can find the tools and information they need quickly and easily. These improvements should increase customer loyalty as well as success.

Our goal is to be the ultimate destination for scientists to accelerate their research. With enhancements to “Your Favorite Gene” powered by Ingenuity we have taken contextual searching to a new level. Life scientists are now able to search for their gene of interest by gene, gene symbol, disease, tissue or pathway. This powerful, innovative tool is expected to facilitate the search for gene information and enable customers to more easily conduct and enhance their specific area of genetic research.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE Our technical expertise and unique capabilities are benchmarks in the industry, but our people truly make the difference and elevate Sigma-Aldrich to be a great company. As Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast near our facility in The Woodlands, Texas, our employees rose to the occasion, staying on site to service customers and operate safely, enabling us to continue operations without disrupting service. Dedicated teams at numerous global locations, in particular the Information Services team, ensured electronic communications were functioning, orders were filled, and material was shipped as timely as possible. Sigma-Aldrich understands the importance of its customers’ research, and we aim to earn their trust every day with outstanding service.

FOCUS ON THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Our goal is to continually provide innovative ways to meet customer objectives. In 2009, we expect to add search improvements, foreign language content and other capabilities to our website. We understand that technology means business, but it can also mean loyalty, trust, understanding and collaboration.