Approximately 200 new jobs expected at 400,000 square foot facility near Tuscaloosa , Alabama

VANCE, Ala. (February 10, 2004) – Cookeville-based Averitt Express has entered into a joint venture to provide supply chain management services at a new logistics center to support the future operations of the Mercedes-Benz sport utility plant in Vance, Alabama.

Ai3 is a joint venture between two supply chain management providers: Averitt Express, a provider of global freight transportation and supply chain management services, and Atlanta-based i3 Group, a minority-owned supply chain enterprise.

The 400,000 square foot logistics center, which is currently under construction, will be established to organize and assist in the sequencing of just-in-time materials and parts to the Mercedes-Benz plant. It will support the complexity of products that will be built at the plant in the future.

The plant is undergoing a $600 million expansion, which will double its production capacity in the future to support two product lines: the next generation M-Class sport utility vehicle and the all-new Grand Sports Tourer.

Ai3 will be responsible for the operations and management of the logistics center, including sourcing of labor. Approximately 200 new jobs are expected to be created at the new facility.

Construction on the logistics center is expected to be complete by January 2005.

About i3

i3, a minority-owned corporation, was founded in 2001 by Ken Morrison to provide world class solutions to customers in need of supply chain expertise in the areas of transportation and operations. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the goal of the company is to provide customized supply-chain solutions to each of its unique customers.

About Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI)

MBUSI, is the Tuscaloosa-based manufacturer of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility. Currently, about 2,400 team members work at the plant. MBUSI produces the V6 ML350; the V8 ML500; the ML400 CDI diesel; the ML270 CDI diesel, as well as right-hand drive versions of the M-Class. Vehicles built in Tuscaloosa are sold in more than 135 markets worldwide. MBUSI is a DaimlerChrysler company.

About Averitt Express

Established in 1971, Averitt Express is a leading provider of freight transportation and supply chain management services with international reach to over 100 countries. The company specializes in delivering customized solutions with a single source of accountability for service offerings that include less-than-truckload, truckload, dedicated, time-critical, international ocean and airfreight, and supply chain management. Backed by successful execution for hundreds of customers, Averitt’s supply chain capabilities include consolidation, distribution, warehousing, port management, transportation network design, and complete transportation management. For more information, call 1-800-AVERITT or visit www.averittexpress.com.

Contacts:  
 
Brad Brown
Marketing and Communications Leader
Averitt Express 
(931) 525-5398
bbrown@averittexpress.com