EXSIF Worldwide, Inc. has confirmed that it placed orders for
nearly 500 new tank containers and tank units during the
first quarter of 2001
April 5, 2001

EXSIF Worldwide, Inc. has confirmed that it placed orders for nearly 500 new tank containers and tank units during the first quarter of 2001, with the current fleet already having reached nearly 23,000 tank containers and tank chassis. Two-thirds of the new builds are to cover pre-arranged leases for specific customers, with the balance for general leasing purposes. Container orders have been placed at Consani, UBH, CPV and Welfit Oddy. The majority are specials of various types and capacities for specific application within the chemical industry. To aid the growth in the U.S. domestic market additional tank chassis have been ordered from Reinke and Fontaine.

EXSIF Worldwide, Inc.'s view on the all-important chemical sector is that there has been no significant slowdown in requirements, although it is clear that Japanese exports remain in a continuing slump. The rest of the Asian business is buoyant and both the U.S. and European leasing activity is strong. As a consequence the company has strengthened its marketing organization in both France and China.

With many pundits debating the timing of a potential slow down in the world's economy, EXSIF Worldwide, Inc. will continue with a purchasing policy reflecting cautious optimism in the market. Investment in new equipment will be directed toward firm long-term lease contracts, with the balance furnishing the standard IMO1 and swap tank market. This is believed to be a sensible, conservative approach that is appropriate during a period of uncertainty.

While EXSIF Worldwide Inc.’s regional groups have been forging ahead in creating new markets and customers leasing the company's products, the Headquarters team has been busy making the group's operating systems even better. A new management accounting system from Great Plains was introduced in March as the first new link in a total systems update. Great Plains, recently acquired by Microsoft, is a leading supplier of mid-market business applications offering interconnected business management solutions.

In February, consolidated billing took place for the combined international fleets of EXSIF Worldwide, Inc. and EXSIF SA. To further enhance the company's e-commerce, a new and improved system for document imaging will be introduced in the coming months. This unique system will continue to allow customers and depots web access to any document pertaining to units in the fleet in a speedier and more efficient manner. The information remains globally available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tracy Baxter has been promoted to Senior Manager IT. She is tasked with the critical project of providing a new control and billing platform for the company. “ This is a unique opportunity to develop a custom designed web enabled system for our tank business which will meet our customers’ future demands “ says Tracy. EXSIF Worldwide, Inc. currently uses the Transamerica tracking and billing system for these services. The target is to have EXSIF Worldwide Inc.'s own, optimally-designed system online in mid-2002.

Contacts:

Andrew Evans
EXSIF Worldwide, Inc.
Tel: 914-697-2820
E-mail: andrew.evans@exsifww.com

Peter Owen
ISIS Communications
Tel: 44 1737 248300
Email: peter@isiscomms.com

For more information contact

EXSIF Worldwide Inc., Purchase, NY
Tel 1 914 848 4200
Email EXSIF.C0@EXSIFWW.com

A member of The Marmon Group of companies