February 24, 2000

NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES TO PURCHASE NEW GUNDERSON RAIL CARS - Portland, Oregon, - To accommodate its expanding 6-day a week rail service, Northwest Container has purchased 8 brand new maxi-stack cars. Each of these cars has three 53' wells that can hold up to 115,000 lbs. This acquisition will give Northwest Container 24 additional wells in which to further expand its rail service between Portland and Tacoma. "This gives us an opportunity to expand our services by giving a steady and reliable train service to Tacoma", stated Jason Bjornholt, CFO of Northwest Container Services. Gunderson, the premier manufacturer of maxi-stack rail cars in North America, built the cars. Northwest Container Services is very excited about the arrival of these new cars, as the expanded service is set to begin in March. For more information about this service please contact Marty Lenzen at the Tacoma office (253) 272-3134.