General Motors do Brasil Honors APL for Latin America Service Excellence

6 April 2000
General Motors do Brasil Honors APL for Latin America Service Excellence

    SAO PAULO, Brazil, April 6 General Motors do Brasil (GMB)
has presented its award for outstanding transportation service in 1999 to APL,
the global container transportation and logistics provider.
    APL said the award presentation was a prelude to South American Intermodal
2000 -- Latin America's largest intermodal trade show -- that will be held
April 12-14 in Sao Paulo.
    GMB manufactures automobiles for the Latin American market at plants
outside of Santos and Sao Paulo, and depends upon APL for the carriage of
time-sensitive automotive parts, automotive manufacturing equipment and other
materials between the United States and Brazil, as well as within Latin
America.
    Joao M. Priolo, GMB's logistics manager, based in Sao Caetano do Sul,
Sao Paulo, said APL was ranked above other carriers for the reliability of its
service, including schedule integrity, information capabilities and
documentation accuracy.  "Because these capabilities support our efforts to
make our manufacturing and distribution operations more cost-effective, GM and
APL are building a long-term partnership," Priolo said.
    APL also provides transportation and logistics services for GM operations
in North America, China, and Thailand.
    "This award has special significance to APL as it recognizes our
commitment to service quality and that we are a global service provider," said
Jan Feilitzen, APL's general manager for Brazil, based in Sao Paulo. "When APL
launched its U.S.-Latin America container service in 1997, our aim was to
provide the highest standards of reliability and customer support in the
market. GMB's requirement for just-in-time delivery is extremely stringent and
this award shows us that we have succeeded in our aim. However, we will not be
resting on our laurels; we intend to constantly look at how we can provide the
best service to GMB and our other customers."
    Added Jay Hampton, Detroit-based automotive director in APL's global
services group:  "APL has a long history of service to General Motors and
others in the automotive industry. We have expanded our commitment by setting
up a dedicated group that includes specially trained automotive sales and
customer-support personnel. The goal is to add further value to the
supply-chain activities of our automotive customers in any market."
    APL provides customers around the world with container transportation and
logistics services through a network combining high-quality intermodal
operations with state-of-the-art information technology. APL is the container
and logistics arm of Neptune Orient Lines Limited, a global transportation and
logistics company engaged in shipping and related businesses.
    APL press releases available by fax, tel. 800-758-5804, ext. 107003, or at
http://www.apl.com.