Castrol Is First Lubricant/Automotive Chemical Manufacturer To Launch On CHEP; Move seen as a boost to the environment, customer service

    WAYNE, N.J.--May 16, 2001--Castrol North America, an international leader in lubricants and automotive chemical technology, announced that it is will begin shipping its case goods on CHEP pallets in an effort to improve the environmental impact of the company's material handling systems.
    The immediate move to CHEP, the world leader in equipment pooling solutions, will enhance Castrol's customer service offering to the automotive aftermarket. Castrol previously utilized standard GMA wood pallets to send its product to distributors and retailers. Some of these pallets were disposed of in the nation's landfills, which are quickly reaching capacity.
    "The CHEP program fits well into our goal that Castrol's business practices will greatly reduce any chances for damage to the environment. The program is also enabling us to improve service to many of our customers, particularly to mass merchants and warehouse clubs," said Scott Schoenthaler, Manager, Planning /Logistics, Castrol North America.
    Schoenthaler added that Castrol is now producing lubricants directly onto CHEP 4-way pallets at its packaging facilities.
    CHEP, which in recent years has expanded to several new industries from its starting point in grocery, is encouraged by having a strong marketer like Castrol help them enter the automotive aftermarket sector.
    "Castrol is known as an innovative marketer, and this move clearly shows the company is an innovative supply chain partner. We are proud of our new association with Castrol and look forward to helping the company service automotive aftermarket retailers," said Kevin Shuba, Vice President, Sales, CHEP USA.
    From an environmental viewpoint, Shuba added that CHEP pallets are built to higher standards, so they require fewer repairs, and are never sent to landfills.
    Castrol markets leadership brands Castrol GTX(R), Castrol SYNTEC(R) and Castrol SYNTEC BLEND(TM) in the conventional, full synthetic and synthetic blend lubricant product segments, respectively. Castrol also maintains a leadership position in the automotive chemical market via the Castrol SUPER CLEAN line of cleaners and Castrol SYNTEC POWER SYSTEM(TM), a complete fuel system cleaner.
    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, assembly plants and aftermarket retailers in the automotive industry. CHEP supplies its customers with high quality pallets and reusable containers from a comprehensive depot and premium service center network. The company is part of the worldwide CHEP organization, which operates in more than in 38 countries on six continents and controls more than 147 million pallets and 29 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.