Sears Names TNT Logistics North America as a Partner in Progress

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--April 15, 2003--TNT Logistics North America, a division of TPG N.V. , has been named as a Sears Partner in Progress for 2002.
    This prestigious award is presented annually to a select group of vendor companies that supply Sears, Roebuck and Co. with quality products and services, from apparel, appliances and tools to marketing, transportation services and technology. More than 10,000 sources competed for this award in 2002.
    Jeffery Hurley, senior vice president of operations, TNT Logistics North America was honored on April 8 at an event hosted by Sears Chairman and CEO Alan J. Lacy at Sears headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
    Begun 20 years ago, the Partners In Progress program recognizes sources that make significant contributions to the growth of Sears businesses and the creation of new ways to better serve Sears customers. The winners were selected from nominations submitted by Sears' employees who purchase goods and services for the company.
    "To be recognized as a premier logistics partner by one of the world's leading retail institutions is indeed an honor for our company," said Dave Kulik, president and CEO of TNT Logistics North America. "TNT Logistics has enjoyed a outstanding relationship with Sears for the past 14 years and looks forward to serving their logistics needs for many more."
    Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a broadline retailer with significant service and credit businesses. In 2002, the company's annual revenue was $41 billion. The company offers a wide range of apparel, home and automotive products and services to families in the U.S. through Sears stores nationwide, including approximately 870 full-line stores. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through its Web sites, sears.com and landsend.com, and a variety of specialty catalogs.
    About TPG N.V. and TNT Logistics North America - TPG N.V., with its two brands TNT and Royal TPG Post, is a global provider of mail, express and logistics services. It employs more than 150,000 people in 62 countries and serves more than 200 countries. The company reported sales of EUR 11.7 billion in 2002. TPG N.V. is publicly listed on the stock exchanges of Amsterdam, New York, London and Frankfurt. The TPG web site address is http://www.tpg.com.
    TNT Logistics, a division of TPG, employs more than 32,000 people who operate in 36 countries, managing more than 6.2 million square meters of warehouse space. In 2002, TNT Logistics reported sales of EUR 3.3 billion. The TNT Logistics web site is http://www.tnt.com/logistics.
    TNT Logistics North America is recognized as one of the world's leading providers of customized, value-added logistics solutions to Fortune 500 companies in the automotive, tire, retail, electronics, utilities, telecom, fast-moving consumer goods, heavy machinery and rail industries. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, TNT Logistics North America manages more than 173 operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico and offers global reach through TNT Logistics. TNT Logistics North America can be reached at 904-928-1400 or on the Web at http://www.tntlogistics.com.