TPG handles logistics for VW

RNS Number:5682H
TPG N.V.
17 February 2003


Press release
                         ------------
                         Corporate Head Office
Date                     17 February 2003



TPG to handle logistics operations for new Volkswagen Touran in Germany

Mail, express and logistics company TPG N.V., through TNT Logistics Germany
(Schrader Group), will take over the entire logistics operations for the
production of the new Volkswagen Touran MPV (multi purpose vehicle). The
Volkswagen Touran MPV, based on the new VW Golf V Platform, is manufactured by
Volkswagen - subsidiary, Auto5000, in Wolfsburg, Germany, and will be on the
market in spring 2003. Auto5000 and TNT Logistics will create more than 400
jobs, with this logistics services contract.


The five-year contract, with a total revenue of more than 100 million euros,
will provide Auto5000 with an extensive range of logistics services from parts
planning, stock management, line feeding and sequencing of vehicles to the
production of specific kits. In addition, TNT Logistics will also manage the
body parts and the inbound logistics for the body shop.


The Volkswagen Touran MPV is a new model in a number of respects. Volkswagen
manager Peter Haartz' "5,000 times 5,000" concept is embodied in the new
Auto5000 business model. This business model is based on a new production
principle including a material flow concept in modules and pre-assembled kits.
It is a logistics operation with few interfaces, because all parts from
suppliers are fed through one single logistics service provider.


According to TNT Logistics and Auto5000, an essential element of the new
logistics concept is the division of the vehicle into a multitude of individual
modules. Suppliers feed these modules to the assembly line "just-in-time" and in
exactly the right sequence for the vehicles being produced.


This complex solution secures a leading position for TNT Logistics as one of
Germany's premier automotive inbound logistics suppliers. Eckard Schrader,
member of the management team of the Schrader Group, explains, "Along with our
partner Volkswagen, we are taking a new, innovative approach to inbound
logistics, one in which the depth, complexity and interlinking will be
groundbreaking in the automotive industry. Accordingly, our companies place a
high value on this project".

TNT Logistics Germany (Schrader Group) has been operating logistics solutions
for Volkswagen in various manufacturing plants in Germany for thirteen years,
including fully integrated logistics operations for the Volkswagen Sachsen plant
in Chemnitz, where - amongst others - the new three cylinder engine for the Lupo
model is produced.

Notes to the editor:

TPG, with its two brands TNT and Royal TPG Post, is a global leader in Express,
Logistics and Mail. Based in the Netherlands, TPG employs over 148,000 people in
60 countries and serves over 200 countries. The company reported sales of Euro11.2
billion in 2001 and will announce its 2002 results on 20 February 2003. Since
1998, TPG has been publicly listed on the stock exchanges in Amsterdam,
Frankfurt, London and New York. The TPG website is: www.tpg.com.




TNT Logistics, a division of TPG, employs more than 32,000 people, operates in
36 countries and manages over 6 million square meters of warehouse space. In
2001, TNT Logistics reported sales of EUR 3.1 billion. The TNT Logistics website
is: www.tnt.com/logistics.


More information about Auto5000 GmbH can be found on its website:

www.auto5000.de.

For further information, please contact (not for publication):

Tony Danby, Press Officer TPG Media Relations

Tel: + 31 20 500 6426

Mobile: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]


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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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