"Steve was an integral part of the team that established our divisional purchasing procedures to meet the guidelines of the Company’s KB2000 business model," said Jeff Mezger, chief operating officer of Kaufman and Broad Home Corp. "His ability and skills will help Kaufman and Broad as we begin to place an even greater emphasis on national purchasing."

In an industry that is often very regional in nature, Kaufman and Broad became one of the first homebuilders to implement a program of national purchasing. By developing strategic alliances with suppliers and purchasing in large quantities, the Company receives optimal pricing and product availability. Cost savings can then be passed on to homebuyers.

"I look forward to expanding the emphasis on national purchasing programs," Peterson said. "Because of Kaufman and Broad’s size and purchasing power, we have tremendous ability to maximize savings and demonstrate the benefits of a national purchasing program."

Kaufman and Broad has exclusive national contracts in place with Whirlpool, Delta, Shaw, Sherwin Williams and Kwikset. Non-exclusive contracts are in place with numerous other suppliers.

The Company also has recently embarked on several e-commerce initiatives to streamline the purchasing process. Current business-to-business e-commerce activities include partnerships with BuildNet, Inc. and HomebuildersXchange.

Peterson began his career at Kaufman and Broad in the Phoenix division in 1996 and transferred to the Tucson division in 1998. Most recently, he has led the Compliance Purchasing Team to develop purchasing best practices for all divisions. Prior to joining Kaufman and Broad, Peterson held purchasing positions for large homebuilders in Chicago, Phoenix and Michigan. He also was a partner in a general contracting business.

Kaufman and Broad Home Corporation is one of America’s premier homebuilders with operating divisions in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. Kaufman & Broad S.A., the Company’s majority owned subsidiary, is one of the largest homebuilders in France. In 1999, the Company delivered homes to 22,460 families in the U.S. and in France. It also operates a full service mortgage company for the convenience of its buyers. Founded in 1957, Kaufman and Broad is a Fortune 500 Company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KBH".

For More Information Contact:
Kate Mulhearn
(310) 231-4015
kmulhearn@kbhome.com

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