Ryder Signs First Natural Gas Lease Deal in Maryland with Northeast Foods

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions, announced today that Northeast Foods has signed a full-service lease agreement for 25 compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors. Northeast Foods, a baking company and food distributor based in Baltimore, Md., will use the trucks to support its distribution and delivery operations that exclusively service McDonald’s Corporation. Northeast Foods has been a key supplier to the McDonald's fast food chain since 1965 and is now the largest supplier of buns in the United States. This will be Ryder’s first natural gas lease customer in Maryland. Ryder will provide maintenance for the 25 CNG vehicles from Ryder’s Baltimore service facility, which is being upgraded for compliance with natural gas standards.

“With several years of experience operating and maintaining natural gas vehicles, we are in a unique position to help businesses leverage our expertise by making advanced fuel vehicles available through our lease and rental arrangements,” said Ryder President of Global Fleet Management Solutions, Dennis Cooke. “When companies like Northeast Foods choose Ryder to manage their fleets, they can focus on driving what matters to them – managing their core business and servicing their customers.”

Northeast Foods is a family-owned business that has been in operation since 1943. The large baked goods distributor is owned and operated by four brothers; Steve, Bill, John Jr., and Chuck Paterakis, who took over the company from their father, John Paterakis Sr. Northeast Foods distributes baked goods to 15,000 direct delivery customers every day, including up to 90 percent of all Maryland public schools, as well as to hundreds of super markets, including private labels, restaurants and even world-renowned fast food chain restaurants. Northeast Foods will begin to take delivery of the NGVs in 2015 and expects to have all 25 CNG vehicles fully operational by midyear.

“In the fresh food business, our top priority is to have a reliable fleet of well-maintained vehicles to ensure our customers get their deliveries when and where they need them,” said Chuck Paterakis, Vice President of Transportation and Logistics for Northeast Foods. “With Ryder’s natural gas vehicles, we have the confidence that we can get the service and performance we need from our fleet today, while operating more cost-efficiently and environmentally-friendly.”

Advanced fuel solutions are one area where Ryder’s impact is evident. The Company is the leader in natural gas vehicle solutions for the commercial transportation industry, with more than 27 million miles of experience, 14 natural gas vehicle maintenance facilities, and 260 natural gas vehicle trained technicians. Ryder has also deployed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles into the fleets of Ryder customers in California, New York, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Georgia and Louisiana as well as in Canada. The Company also operates Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) fuel stations at its Fontana and Orange, Calif., service locations. Ryder also operates an LNG fuel station at its Fulton, Ga. maintenance facility.

Ryder’s food and beverage industry expertise extends beyond transportation, to a full range of supply chain solutions that thousands of companies rely on in order to deliver great customer service, compete more effectively, and focus on their core business. With Ryder as a trusted partner, businesses can tap into Ryder’s industry expertise, national network of maintenance facilities with expert refrigeration technicians, and warehousing space, along with the latest in tracking technologies and best-in-class safety processes.

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions company. Ryder’s stock (NYSE:R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has included Ryder in its “Green Partners” listing for five years in a row. Ryder is a charter member of the NGV Fleet Forum and a member of the Department of Energy’s National Clean Fleets partnership. Ryder is also a recipient of the 2011 NGV Achievement Award. A member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, Ryder is proud to support national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information, visit www.ryder.com and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

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