J.B. Hunt Transport Awarded Wal-Mart Centerpoint Transportation Contract

20 April 2000

J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. Awarded Wal-Mart Centerpoint Transportation Contract

    LOWELL, Ark.--April 20, 2000--J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. (Nasdaq:JBHT), announced today their selection by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to manage and operate truckload, rail, dedicated fleet and substitute service operations for 31 Wal-Mart Centerpoint distribution centers nationwide. The agreement is valued at more than $100 million annually and involves the use of approximately 360 dedicated J.B. Hunt trucks and drivers and more than 1,000 trailers.
    Wal-Mart made the decision to consolidate their high-speed, flow-through business with J.B. Hunt, moving from the use of nearly 50 separate carriers to the Lowell, Ark.-based transportation company.
    "We are pleased to be the sole transportation and logistics provider for the Centerpoint business nationally," said Paul Bergant, Chief Marketing Officer for J.B. Transport Inc. "Our relationship with Wal-Mart has been a long-standing positive one. We believe our ability to provide them a comprehensive scope of van, intermodal, logistics and dedicated services made us the right partner to help them achieve their on-time transportation strategies. Wal-Mart sets the standard for transportation logistics in the retail industry, and we are honored to be part of their innovative leadership."
    "J.B. Hunt was selected for their ability to provide the entire scope of transportation and logistics solutions to meet our needs," said Ted Wade, VP Corporate Traffic, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "The simplicity of dealing with a single source that will help us lower transportation costs to benefit our customers was a key factor in awarding the business to J.B. Hunt."
    J.B. Hunt's relationship with Wal-Mart exceeds 20 years, according to Bergant. In April of 1999, J.B. Hunt was honored by Wal-Mart with the first ever "Truckload Carrier of the Year" award. Selection criteria for the award included systems technology, on-time pickup and delivery, customer service, capacity, equipment and cost.
    At present, the company has 2,531 Wal-Mart stores and 463 SAM'S clubs in the United States. Internationally, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates units in Argentina (10), Brazil (15), Canada (166), China (6), Germany (95), Korea (5), Mexico (460), Puerto Rico (15), and United Kingdom (235). Wal-Mart employs more than 885,000 associates in the U.S. and 255,000 internationally. Its securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges.
    J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., is a diversified transportation logistics company with revenues of over $2 billion. Headquartered in Lowell, Arkansas, the company operates over 9,400 trucks, 38,000 trailers and containers and employs approximately 15,000 people. Using an integrated transportation logistics platform to provide solutions for their customers, J.B. Hunt provides services in Logistics Management, Dedicated Contract Services, Truckload and Intermodal.

    On the Internet

    Visit J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.'s Web site at www.jbhunt.com for additional J.B. Hunt information.
    Visit Wal-Mart's Web Site at www.wal-mart.com for additional Wal-Mart news and information.