Trans Ocean Distribution joins JF HILLEBRAND Group to create the world's leading company in liquids logistics.

    /24-7PressRelease/ - LONDON, UK, April 15, 2007 - Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, JF Hillebrand employs 1000 people in 36 offices located in 22 countries throughout the world. The company reported a 500 million turnover in 2006.

Trans Ocean Distribution, headquartered in Southampton, UK, employs 250 people in 6 offices globally, and reported a 76 million turnover in 2006.

The combination of Trans Ocean Distribution's unique and proven expertise in designing and manufacturing flexitanks for non-hazardous bulk liquids, alongside JF Hillebrand's leading position in global beverage logistics, will offer to the beverage industry a strong market leader that can tailor a full and unique range of service solutions to a wide spectrum of logistics requirements.

JF Hillebrand Group's global presence and expertise in freight forwarding, development of tracking tools and ocean freight management will supplement and support Trans Ocean Distribution's development of their strong market position in industrial, food and latex products transportation.

Considering the growth opportunities in both the market for beverage logistics, and in the development of flexitank solutions for other markets, the JF Hillebrand and Trans Ocean Distribution management teams believe the combined organizational skills of both companies will be complimentary in locations where both companies presently operate.

Both management teams are enthusiastic about future development opportunities, and will together prepare a new organisational framework that will maintain the two existing brand names and optimise the high level of expertise existing within the two organisations. Brendan McKenna, President of Trans Ocean Distribution, will join the Executive Board of JF Hillebrand Group.

The Board of Trans Ocean Distribution was advised by Houlihan Lokey in connection with the transaction.
ends.
NOTES TO EDITORS:

JF Hillebrand
Headquartered in Mainz Germany, JF Hillebrand employs 1000 people in 36 offices located in 22 countries. The Group reported 500 million turnover in 2006 and throughput of over 170,000 containers. International equity provider COBEPA owns 40% of the share capital, whilst Mitsui OSK Lines owns 30% and the remaining 30% is held by management and family. Since 1844, we have dedicated ourselves to the efficient and cost-effective logistics of wines, spirits and beers. Our sophisticated information management tools such as Axis guarantees full visibility over the supply chain - from production to retail.

Trans Ocean Distribution
Trans Ocean Distribution Limited is the world leader in the provision of bulk liquid logistics using flexitanks and has its own designed, manufactured, branded and patented range of RhinoBulk flexitank systems. The Company employs 250 professional staff world-wide and besides offices in Southampton, Houston, Singapore, Shanghai, Adelaide and Dubai is supported by a global network of fully-trained agents providing a truly global reach. The group also has its own manufacturing facilities in China and Malaysia.

Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, provides a wide range of services, including mergers and acquisitions, financing, financial opinions and advisory services, and financial restructuring. Established in 1970, the firm has over 700 employees in 12 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. We annually serve more than 1,000 clients ranging from closely held companies to Global 500 corporations.

For additional information, please refer to our website: www.jfhillebrand.com

Image Line Communications
(t) + 44 (0) 20 7689 9009
(f) + 44 (0) 20 7689 8008
(e) [email protected]
Unit 1A Zetland House
5-25 Scrutton Street
London
EC2A 4HJ

News services by Image Line, the leading a maritime and supply chain PR provider.

# # #