Berkshire Partners Announces New Managing Directors.

BOSTON -- Berkshire Partners LLC ("Berkshire"), a Boston-based private equity firm, announced today that Christopher J. Hadley and Lawrence S. Hamelsky have become Managing Directors of Berkshire effective January 1, 2006. They join the nine current Managing Directors of Berkshire in managing the firm and its affiliated investment funds. Mr. Hadley and Mr. Hamelsky previously were Principals at Berkshire.

Mr. Hadley joined Berkshire in 1998. Prior to joining the firm, Chris worked as a consultant in the LBO Practice Group at Bain & Co. He also worked in the consumer products industry consulting to General Mills and Borden Foods in the area of marketing and new product development. Mr. Hadley received an undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School.

Mr. Hamelsky originally joined Berkshire in 1994 as an Associate. Subsequently, he earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and worked at the Boston Consulting Group. Prior to joining Berkshire, Larry worked as a financial analyst at Bowles, Hollowell, Conner & Co. Larry returned to Berkshire in 1998. He received a B.A. from Duke University.

Berkshire's investment staff is comprised of 30 people with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, including consulting, investment banking, commercial finance, and operations. The original team, which came together in the early 1980s, has expanded significantly as the Firm's capital base and investment scope have grown.

About Berkshire Partners LLC

Berkshire Partners has invested in mid-sized private companies for the past twenty years through six investment funds with aggregate capital commitments of approximately $3.5 billion. The firm's investment strategy is to seek companies that have strong growth prospects and to partner with talented management teams who are interested in being owners of the companies they operate. Berkshire has developed specific industry experience in several areas including consumer products, industrial manufacturing, transportation, communications, business services, and retailing and related services. Berkshire has been an investor in over 85 operating companies with more than $13.0 billion of acquisition value and combined revenues in excess of $17 billion. Additional information may be found at www.berkshirepartners.com.