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Press and Analyst contacts: For
Immediate Release
Greg W. Smith
J.B. Hunt
501-820-7510
Ron Margulis
RAM Communications
908.232.3230
ramcommunications@home.com
CHEP Awards J.B. Hunt Dedicated
Contract Services
Multi-Year Integrated Fleet Contract
LOWELL, Ark., Feb. 5, 2002 – CHEP, the
world’s largest equipment pooling system company, has awarded
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ: JBHT) a multi-year
contract to provide dedicated logistics services for 11 regional
premium service centers around the country. The contract is an expansion
of the international company’s longstanding partnership with
J.B. Hunt, which already provides CHEP with van and intermodal services.
As one of the world’s largest users of reverse
logistics services, Orlando-based CHEP operates an extensive freight
network around the U.S. for both outbound and inbound deliveries
of pallets and containers for a wide variety of customers. "J.B.
Hunt’s vast capacity coupled with their freight density in
every region where we have a presence gave them a competitive advantage
in the bid process," said Ellwood Hunt, vice president of logistics,
CHEP.
Additionally, the carrier’s unique collaborative
design integrated the J.B. Hunt Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)
network with those of CHEP and its customers to produce synergies
that did not exist before. "Their design is comprehensive and
efficient. It encompasses nearly every aspect of our complex supply
chain and continuously searches for ways to optimize our network
through routing and active management of our trailers. This ensures
the efficient movement of our pallet and containers," added
Hunt.
CHEP and J.B. Hunt have a common heritage of offering
innovative solutions to the challenges facing manufacturers and
retailers alike. CHEP was the first company to address the multi-billion
dollar per-year expense of pallet exchange, and J.B. Hunt was one
of the earliest supporters of the CHEP business model.
"CHEP is clearly an industry leader in supply
chain management solutions, offering tools that can
significantly reduce costs in the supply chain. We are proud to
have received their vote of confidence for our systems," said
John N. Roberts, president, J.B. Hunt DCS. "Our operations
team has worked with their counterparts at CHEP to quickly put the
integrated design, supporting equipment and drivers in place and
is managing to key performance indicators."
In fact, the company is already exceeding service
goals in a very dynamic market, according to Hunt. "J.B. Hunt
is handling multiple locations as well as volume spikes and still
delivering top-notch service, which is a primary focus of our design,"
he said
J.B. Hunt’s integrated approach to the project
was put to use in preparing for CHEP’s holiday surge, according
to Hunt. By examining data and planning for peak weeks, J.B. Hunt
could project times when additional drivers or equipment would be
needed. "Through their integrated approach, we could tap into
the entire J.B. Hunt truck capacity to manage our surge more economically,"
explains Phil Gerlach, director of transportation, CHEP. "J.B.
Hunt’s flexible capacity and on-time service are key factors
behind their successful regional dedicated design and implementation."
About CHEP
CHEP, a Brambles company, is an international pallet and container
pooling company servicing manufacturers and distributors in the
consumer goods industries; grower/shippers and receivers in the
produce industry; packers, processors and distributors in the meat
industry; home improvement, hardware and housewares manufacturers
and distributors and suppliers, assembly plants and aftermarket
retailers in the automotive industry. CHEP supplies its customers
with high quality pallets and reusable containers from a comprehensive
depot network. The company is part of the worldwide CHEP organization,
which operates in more than in 37 countries on six continents and
controls more than 160 million pallets and 34 million crates and
containers. CHEP combines technology, experience and a customer
dedication to "Handling the World’s Most Important Products.
Everyday." Additional information on CHEP is available at www.chep.com.
About J.B. Hunt Dedicated Contract Services
J.B. Hunt Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) is the premier provider
of dedicated transportation logistics solutions for clients striving
to improve transportation service reliability; lower transportation
costs; reduce liability; improve logistics/distribution operations;
and redirect capital back into core business functions. By integrating
the freight, assets, and services of J.B. Hunt Truck and Intermodal,
the company’s partner network capacity, and empowering those
services with e-business technology, DCS provides customer-specific
solutions that deliver bottom-line value. With more than 250 customer
locations across North America, DCS is the fastest-growing dedicated
logistics provider in the market.
About J.B. Hunt
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. is one of the largest transportation
logistics companies in North America with annual revenues of more
than $2 billion. The company operates more than 11,000 trucks and
approximately 40,000 trailers and containers. J.B. Hunt creates
supply chain value through a variety of engineered, optimal solutions
that include truckload and intermodal transportation services, dedicated
fleet management, electronic commerce and logistics management.
The company's stock is traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol
JBHT and is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average.
For more information about the company visit www.jbhunt.com.
For more information, please contact:
Greg W. Smith, Director of Corporate Marketing
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Lowell, AR 72745
(501) 820-7510
For CHEP:
www.chep.com
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