ADS Launches E-Business Enterprise.

Business Editors, Automotive Writers

CHICAGO--(AutomotiveWire)--March 9, 2000

Alternative Distribution Systems, Inc. (ADS) launched its e-business enterprise this week with the release of their Extranet and web enabled Inventory Management System (IMS).

"E-business is the new enterprise imperative", states Ron Cohan, V.P. Information & Communications Technologies. "To stay competitive in today's wired world, companies must be able to deliver applications and services digitally to their partners, and derive real value from those online partnerships."

The IMS, developed for use by ADS subsidiary Roll & Hold Warehousing & Distribution (R&H), a metals warehouser, provides customers a real-time tool to manage their inventory at R&H facilities. Prior to this, R&H customers had to rely on costly leased lines or dial-up service with its one-to-one limitation, supported by phone calls and faxes, to connect with the IMS. Now, all customers need is an Internet Browser, Internet Service Provider, and a User I.D. and Password to gain instant access to their data.

ADS customers want quick, reliable and private access to information tools that provide them competitive advantage. The ADS Extranet provides customers with direct access to their data and enables ADS to easily manage and secure the flow of enterprise resources and use of these applications. The Extranet is where e-business begins to deliver competitive advantage for both ADS and its customers. Future additions will include web enabled versions of other active applications such as tracking and tracing for both truck and rail, load tender and acceptance; document management and EDI via the Internet by using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). By making applications available to partners and other constituents in a meaningful way, everyone achieves strategic gains.

Alternative Distribution Systems, Inc. (ADS) Background Information

ADS is a national provider to the metals industry of fully integrated distribution services, including transportation, warehousing and logistics services. Over the course of more than 20 years in the metals distribution business, ADS has developed specialized systems, equipment and expertise enabling it to handle, warehouse and transport metals requiring time-sensitive delivery in coordination with end-users' increasingly sophisticated inventory management requirements. ADS's capabilities allow it to offer integrated, turn-key solutions to the distribution demands of steel and other metals producers and consumers.

ADS subsidiary companies include:

Area Transportation Company, a special commodities carrier with 48-state common and contract authority as well as various Canadian authorities, specializing in the handling of metals products,

Roll & Hold Warehousing & Distribution Corp., a metals warehouser operating ISO9002 warehousing and distribution centers across the country, and

Western Intermodal Services, Ltd., specializing in materials movement management and packaging of services combining rail, truck and barge transportation.

ADS is a subsidiary of May Logistics Services, Inc., a majority-owned portfolio company of Code Hennessey & Simmons LLC.

Key Personnel:

Richard Dickson, President and C.E.O.

Ron Cohan, Vice President Information and Communications Technologies