For further information, please contact:

Tom Dolfay
SVP, Corporate Planning & Marketing
Millard Refrigerated Services
402.236.66004

Brian Beattie
SVP-Marketing
CHEP AMERICAS
407.355.6480

Ronald Margulis
Managing Director
RAM Communications
908.232.3230

Millard Refrigerated Picks Chep as Top Shipping Platform

OMAHA, NE August 11, 2000 -- Millard Refrigerated Services, the nation’s second largest refrigerated warehouse and distribution company, has determined CHEP to be the superior pallet management system, and is encouraging its partners to move to the CHEP pallet pool, the company announced today. Millard reached this conclusion after comparing CHEP with floor loaded, pallet exchange & slipsheet shipping alternatives.

Millard, with customers like Nestle USA's Prepared Foods Division and ConAgra, requires a system that maintains the integrity of the unit loads passing through its operation. The company also demands a system that compliments Millard’s strategy of building a network of state-of-the-art distribution centers with sophisticated logistics and transportation services, and creating a seamless package of storage, distribution, logistics and transportation services that gives customers the competitive edge.

"CHEP was the natural choice," said Lynn Mulherin, executive vice president of Millard. "We conducted interviews and on site observations at each point of our supply chain and used actual customer and retailer information to generate the results. The review included actual data prior to the introduction of the CHEP system and data from operations using floor loaded, pallet exchange & slipsheet systems."

Overall, the CHEP pallet pool program directly contributed to cost savings across the supply chains Millard’s services, Mulherin said.

"We found that we can most effectively service our customers and their customers using the CHEP program," concluded Mulherin.

Millard’s approach is based on strict financial economics. Having a sound product handling platform is crucial to Millard because the company takes total responsibility for moving inventory from warehouse to destination on time and within budget. For customers, risks are eliminated, costs are reduced and resources are maximized. But for Millard this means that any product damaged or productivity lost due to poor product handling systems comes off their bottom line. By using CHEP pallet pooling, the company reduces the risk for both its customers and itself even further.

"Third party warehousing, like other forms of third party logistics, is becoming more critical to the efficient operation of the supermarket industry supply chain. This is particularly true with refrigerated warehouse and distribution companies that are assisting manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to control storage costs and enable load consolidation," said Cliff Otto, Senior Vice President--Sales, CHEP.

"We're gratified that Millard's, like other refrigerated warehouse and distribution companies, is turning to CHEP to help manage inbound and outbound loads, as well as address storage issues."

Millard Refrigerated Services, founded in 1962 and based in Omaha, NE, operates more than 6 million square feet of refrigerated warehouse, distribution, and processing space in 24 locations throughout the country. Millard's network approach to warehousing and distribution gives customers an edge over the competition. Additional information is available at www.millardref.com.

CHEP 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 & housewares manufacturers and distributors and suppliers and assembly plants in the automotive industry. The CHEP equipment pooling system supplies 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 30 countries on six continents and controls more than 122 million pallets and 15 million containers. CHEP operating principles, service organization and computer tracking systems give participants a simple solution and improved efficiency in product delivery. Additional information on CHEP is available at www.chep.com.