UTi Worldwide Expands Asia-Pacific Operations with UTi Japan.
-- Strategic Opening Increases Market Share Opportunities in
Asia-Pacific Region --
Rancho Dominguez, California - March 22, 2001 - UTi Worldwide
Inc. (Nasdaq:UTIW), a global supply chain solutions company, today announced the expansion of its
global network with the opening of UTi Japan, headquartered in Tokyo. Additionally, UTi announced
the appointment of Peter Nagasawa as managing director of UTi Japan.
Fully staffed with Japanese nationals, UTi Japan complements the company's existing network and
reach in the Asia-Pacific region and offers the full range of UTi Worldwide's supply chain solutions
and services. These include supply chain planning and optimization services, air and ocean forwarding,
customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution. In addition, UTi Japan offers tailor-made solutions
to individual customers, as well as industry-specific specialized solutions.
"The opening of UTi Japan underscores our company's strategic growth objective to expand operations
in the Asia-Pacific region," said Alan C. Draper, UTi Worldwide's president of Asia-Pacific Region.
"Based on our existing customers headquartered in Japan and anticipated new clients, we expect UTi
Japan will be an important contributor to revenues in its first year of operation.
"We believe the Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest growing areas globally, and we are now
better positioned to leverage our network and geographical reach to increase our market share
opportunities in this area. Establishing our own presence in Japan - one of the world's major
economies - also enhances our positioning as a true global player in the industry."
Nagasawa, with more than 20 years of experience in the supply chain management field and backed
by a staff of 20 professionals, has been serving UTi Worldwide since 1995 as the head of the company's
representative office in Japan. Previously, he worked for BAX Global in Japan.
"We are extremely excited to be able to provide UTi's broad range of customized solutions and
services directly to this very large and vibrant market,"
Nagasawa said. "Backed by the strength of UTi Worldwide's global forwarding network, UTi Japan
is well positioned to serve the needs of Japan's leading multi-national corporations and its growing
small business community. We offer both constituencies important tools to serve their current and
emerging supply chain execution and information needs."
About UTi
UTi Worldwide Inc. is a global, non-asset based supply chain management business providing supply
chain logistics services and planning and optimization solutions. The company's services include
freight forwarding, customs brokerage and warehousing services such as the coordination of shipping
and the storage of raw materials, supplies, components and finished goods. Through its supply chain
planning and optimization services, the company assists clients in designing and implementing systems
that improve the predictability and visibility and reduce the overall cost of their supply chains.
The company has a global and diverse business customer base ranging from large multinational
enterprises to smaller local businesses. For more information about the company visit its Web site
at www.go2uti.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this news release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. The company intends that all such statements be subject to the "safe-harbor" provisions
contained in those sections. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, the company's
discussion of its growth strategy and integration of acquisitions. Many important factors may cause
the company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking
statements, including increased competition, integration risks associated with acquisitions, general
economic and market conditions and the other risks and uncertainties described in the company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although UTi believes that the assumptions
underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove
inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking
statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking
information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a
representation by UTi or any other person that UTi's objectives or plans will be achieved.
The historical results achieved by the company are not necessarily indicative of its future prospects.
UTi undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
| Contact: |
Alan C. Draper
President-Asia Pacific Region
Executive Vice President and Director
UTi Worldwide Inc.
+1 61.2.83044400
or
Lawrence R. Samuels
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
UTi Worldwide Inc.
+1 (310) 604-3311
+1 (310) 604-3312
Cecilia Wilkinson / Julie Crandall
PondelWilkinson MS&L
+1 (310) 207-9300
eMail: investor@pondel.com |