Ryder Brings Supply Chain Management Solutions to Global Aerospace Industry

    MIAMI--April 5, 2001--Ryder System, Inc. , a global leader in supply chain and fleet management solutions, has launched an industry initiative to bring Ryder's industry-leading supply chain and lead logistics management solutions to a wider range of global aerospace customers. The announcement was made by Tom Jones, Ryder's Senior Vice President of Global Automotive, Aerospace and Industrial Industries (AAI).
    The industry team, which will operate globally as Ryder - Aerospace Supply Chain Management, builds on the Company's existing base of transportation, distribution, supply chain and ground fleet solutions which are now being provided to global aerospace manufacturers, major commercial airlines and international airports. The initiative draws on Ryder's leading-edge expertise in aerospace and more than 20 diverse industry sectors, while recognizing the unique environment and individual needs of today's aerospace companies. Ryder's solutions incorporate proven competencies in design, implementation and management in areas such as just-in-time delivery systems and the innovative use of supplier logistics centers to achieve lean inbound supply chain management.
    Led by aerospace industry supply chain management veterans Argyle O. (Skip) Wakeman and Michael G. Whitten, the Aerospace Supply Chain Management team delivers world-class solutions that integrate the best people and superior operational processes with state-of-the art technologies from Ryder's strategic alliances with leading-edge providers such as i2 Technologies, IBM, Manhattan Associates and EXE.
    "There are no `cookie-cutter' solutions in supply chain management and that truth is particularly evident in the aerospace sector," said Randle D. Bales, Vice President of Sales & Solutions Development for Ryder's AAI group. "As aerospace industry experts, Skip Wakeman and Mike Whitten bring the solutions design expertise and operational know-how needed to leverage Ryder's proven resources and methodologies to support this important global industry."
    Specifically, Ryder's Aerospace Supply Chain Management team will target aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their tier one suppliers as well as commercial airlines. Services designed for OEMs and their suppliers will be related to demand and supply chain management planning, purchasing, transportation management, distribution and warehousing and geo-positioning of inventory to meet their customers' operating requirements. Services for commercial airlines emphasize the critical need for coordination of planning and management of activities among maintenance and engineering, purchasing/procurement and material management. The material management activities provided by Ryder - Aerospace Supply Chain Management concentrate on such areas as component repair cycle turn-around-time (TAT), scheduled maintenance planning cycle, warranty services administration, tool control (calibrated and non-calibrated), inventory deployment, order fulfillment and management of beyond economical repair (BER) components.
    Wakeman, who will report to Bales in leading Ryder's global Aerospace Supply Chain Management effort as Director of Business Development, possesses extensive experience in the aerospace industry and aerospace supply chain management. Prior to joining Ryder, he worked for BAX Global, where he served the aerospace industry in a number of increasingly responsible positions, most recently as global Director of Aerospace Supply Chain Management. He also served as Director of Logistics for a Part 121/135 scheduled commercial airline, held management positions with an aerospace telecommunications company that is one of the world's largest private telecommunications networks, and served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a logistics operations, supply operations and armor officer.
    Whitten serves as Ryder's global Manager of Business Development of Aerospace Supply Chain Management. Prior to joining Ryder, he held positions of increasing responsibility for BAX Global, serving most recently as Business Development Manager with responsibility for the aerospace industry. Whitten also worked as a Project/Operations Manager for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and earlier served for 23 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an officer charged with, among other duties, systems acquisition and strategic logistics readiness.

Company Description
    Ryder provides a continuum of leading-edge logistics, supply chain and fleet management solutions worldwide. Ryder's product offerings range from full-service leasing, commercial rental and programmed maintenance of vehicles to integrated services such as dedicated contract carriage and carrier management. Additionally, Ryder offers comprehensive supply chain solutions, lead logistics management services and e-Commerce solutions that support customers' entire supply chains, from sourcing of inbound raw materials through distribution and delivery of finished goods. Ryder serves customer needs throughout North America, in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
    Fortune magazine ranked Ryder as the most admired company in the highway transportation industry in 1997 and 1998 and second-most admired in 1999. In 2000, Ryder received a higher overall rating than its competitors in the Fortune survey. For the third consecutive year, Inbound Logistics magazine recognized Ryder in 2000 as the top third-party logistics provider.
    Ryder's stock is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. With 2000 revenue of $5.3 billion, Ryder was ranked 309th on the Fortune 500 list and 332nd on the Forbes 500.
    For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.