Prime Inc. Gets "Top-Performing Carrier" Honors by Transport Topics

Transport Topics, the national newspaper for the Trucking Industry, published a report in their February 9, 2004 issue that ranked PRIME INC. as the "Top-Performing Carrier" in the nation for the refrigerated sector. According to research by Martin Labbe Associates for the American Trucking Association, PRIME INC. led the field of top performers in a benchmarking guide called "20 From the Top." This benchmarking guide identified the 20 best-performing carriers in each of six sectors, based on a review of 2002 financial results. Carriers were ranked on the basis of operating ratio (expenses as a percentage of revenue) and total revenue. Data were drawn from annual reports of approximately 2,250 motor carriers.

Springfield, Missouri-based PRIME INC. does a majority of their business in the refrigerated sector. In recent years PRIME has expanded to dry van, flatbed and tank carriage. Transport Topics lists PRIME INC. as specializing in hauling products such as: beverages, building materials, fresh produce, general freight, heavy machinery, logging, metal products, motor vehicle parts, processed food and U.S. mail. PRIME INC. ranked first in the refrigerated sector with 2002 revenue of $519.9 million and an operating ratio of 88.5%. "Prime's financial results are a tribute to the dedication and hard work of over 4100 driver and in-house associates. Our Prime team and business model continue to perform impressively, especially considering the difficult economic and competitive conditions in the trucking industry," stated Robert Low (PRIME INC. President and CEO).