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Two Industry Veterans Named Directors at Foss Shipyards

November 2, 2012

Richards and Hie named directors to oversee new construction, vessel repair and maintenance

SEATTLE, WA. –  Foss Maritime Co., which is poised for a surge in new vessel construction, today announced two key additions to its directors’ team: Hap Richards has been promoted to Director of New Construction while Jon Hie was named Director of Shipyard Operations.

In Richards’ new post he will have responsibility for new construction strategies for all Foss’ vessel construction projects. Hie will have responsibility for the operations of Foss’ shipyards, oversee commercial vessel repair and maintenance work, and support Foss’ fleet engineering requirements.

The appointment of Richards and Hie as directors comes as Foss embarks on a significant expansion of its tug and barge fleet, already the nation’s largest.

The company starts work in 2013 on the first of three new Arctic-class deep-sea tugs built for customer service in the booming oil and gas industry. This, while continuing to serve the maintenance and repair needs of commercial and recreational vessels at its Seattle and Rainier yards.

“Foss is entering a new construction phase that will emphasize safety, efficiency and the environment,” said Gary Faber, President and COO of Foss Maritime. “Those are our customers’ paramount concerns. They are at the core of Foss’ corporate culture. It is why Foss is turning to an industry veteran like Hap Richards to focus exclusively on new build projects, while seasoned operations director Jon Hie maintains and grows our core repair business.”

Richards brings more than three decades of maritime experience to his position. Prior to joining Foss in 2003, Richards had oversight over new construction projects at Whidbey Island-based Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, where he served on the company’s board of directors. He has had positions of increasing responsibility, including foreman, yard superintendent, project manager and production manager. He has worked at both of Foss’ shipyards at Rainer, Ore., on the Columbia River, and in Seattle, where he has been production manager at the company’s Ballard facility since 2006.

Hie comes to Foss Maritime from Hawaii, where he was a Kirby Corporation division manager in the islands. A 1990 graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Hie has a degree in marine engineering. He has been employed both on-shore and ship-board in a variety of positions on the East Coast, the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean.

Foss Maritime has a well-earned reputation for innovation and a culture that stresses safety and the environment, Hie said. “It doesn’t matter what coast you’re on: People are talking about Foss’ commitment to excellence.”

Foss’ shipyards serve United States government vessels, the petroleum and timber industries, fishing fleets, high-speed passenger vessels and private yachts for dry dock maintenance and repair:

THE SEATTLE SHIPYARD
The Foss Seattle shipyard, one of the most completely equipped yards on the Pacific coast, offers full-service vessel repair and maintenance. A team of experienced craftspeople provides cost-effective vessel repairs, major conversions and routine maintenance to commercial and recreational vessels. The yard services tugs, barges, workboats, passenger and car ferries, fishing fleets, high-speed passenger vessels, fish processing vessels, government vessels and yachts.

THE RAINIER SHIPYARD
On the leading edge of marine technology, engineering and boat building, the Foss Maritime Rainier shipyard constructs reliable, efficiently designed, and expertly crafted vessels. Foss offers new construction and repair of tugs, pilot boats, fireboats, barges and other workboats — and hybrid tug conversions. Foss Maritime developed the first hybrid tug technology and built the world’s first hybrid tug at its Rainier shipyard.

ABOUT FOSS MARITIME COMPANY Founded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe. The company has harbor services and transportation operations in all major U.S. West Coast ports, including the Columbia and Snake River system. With one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast, Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility and high-quality service. See www.foss.com for more information.

Foss Maritime To Expand Ocean Tug Fleet To Serve Oil And Gas Customers

September 25, 2012

Foss Maritime expands ocean tug fleet to broaden capacity to take on projects in extreme environments

SEATTLE, WA.– Responding to new oil and gas industry opportunities, Foss Maritime Company will build the first three tugs in an innovative Arctic Class of tugs, a fleet expansion that broadens its capacity to take on large projects in extreme environments.

Construction on the first tug starts in early 2013 at Foss’ Rainier, Oregon shipyard, work which will bring additional jobs to the growing Columbia River facility.

At Foss we innovate, said Gary Faber, Foss’ President and Chief Operating Officer. “These vessels will be built using the latest advances in technology and equipment. We want to increase efficiency, improve safety and performance, and reduce environmental impact. These concerns are paramount to our customers, our stakeholders and our crews involved in offshore drilling and other project work in extreme environments.”

Specifically, the new tugs will meet:

• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) A1 requirements, including standards for hulls, machinery, towing, anchors and cable;
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Ice Class requirements
• International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements, including an on-board rescue boat and davit; and
• Green Passport, which requires an inventory of shipboard hazardous materials that make decommissioning of vessels far safer.

Faber said the new tugs have been designed to withstand the rigors of Arctic operations and are suited to work across the globe. The new tugs will position the company to compete for opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Currently Foss has five assets committed to an Arctic offshore exploration project in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas and looks forward to providing additional assets in the Arctic. Several oil and gas customers are expected to perform similar projects in the region during the coming years, and Foss will be positioned to provide services and support with tugs, landing craft, crew boats and barges.

Foss has worked Alaskan Arctic waters for decades with a well-known record for our focus on, and innovation in, environmental protection with the highest of safety standards, Faber said. “We have unique skills when it comes to the transportation of infrastructure needed for Arctic oil and gas exploration in to areas with little or no infrastructure. The new tugs will enhance our ability to move cargoes safely.”

Faber added that additional ABS classed tugs and support vessels are already under consideration.

Mike Magill, Vice President of Technical Services, who oversees Foss’ two shipyards and the company’s engineering department, said the three new tugs will be designed to achieve in excess of 100 metric tons of bollard pull, a measure of pulling power. The vessels will be used primarily to tow barges with oil field modules, rig topsides and project cargoes throughout the world.

Glosten Associates is Foss’ naval architecture partner on the project.

Design work is expected to be completed by year’s end. Machinery on the new tugs will include Caterpillar C280-8 main engines, which comply with the highest federal environmental standards; and Reintjes reduction gears. Markey Machinery will supply the tow winch.

In addition to the low-emission Caterpillar engines, the vessels will incorporate several environmentally focused designs and structural and technological upgrades, including:

• Elimination of ballast tanks, so there is no chance of transporting invasive species;
• Holding tanks for black and gray water to permit operations in no-discharge zones (such as parts of Alaska and California);
• Hydraulic oil systems compatible with biodegradable oil;
• Energy efficient LED lighting; and
• High-energy absorption Schuyler fendering.

The decision to build the three ocean-going tugs will have a ripple effect throughout Foss, Magill said. The vessels will be built at the company’s Rainier, OR, shipyard Foss has already announced that the facility, which specializes in new vessel construction, will expand by an additional 10,000 square feet, and will require additional staff. These highly anticipated vessels signify a continuing commitment to Foss growth and expansion into new and exciting markets.

“This is a win-win for us,” Magill said. “We have a fine workforce in place at Rainier and we’re very excited to be able to expand Fosses’ fleet in ways that grow our business.”

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ABOUT FOSS MARITIME COMPANY
Founded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe. The company has harbor services and transportation operations in all major U.S. West Coast ports, including the Columbia and Snake River system. With one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast, Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility and high-quality service. See www.foss.com for more information.

Retired Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Philip H. Greene, Jr., Has Been Named Vice President Of TOTE

August 17, 2012

Phillip H. Greene takes over role of Vice President of TOTE, Inc.

Princeton, NJ. – Retired Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Philip Greene, Jr., has been named vice president of TOTE, Inc. Greene will join TOTE, Inc. in early September 2012, leading efforts to further serve government and military accounts in the organization’s maritime, logistics and services companies.

After a distinguished 32-year career in the U.S. Navy, Greene served as the eleventh superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. Most recently Greene held the U.S. Department of Transportation Chair at the National Defense University, Washington, D.C.

The addition of Admiral Greene to the TOTE, Inc. leadership team is an important step in creating a cohesive and concentrated effort in serving the government and military sector of our business. Our operating companies will benefit greatly from his experience and leadership, said Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of TOTE, Inc.

Greene is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and earned advanced degrees from the National War College and the Naval Postgraduate School. In addition, he holds a merchant marine license as master (oceans, any gross tonnage).

“I am delighted to join the professionals at TOTE, Inc. It is a great organization with a positive corporate culture that values innovation. I look forward to being part of the leadership team and contributing to the success of TOTE Inc.’s operating companies,” said Greene.

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About TOTE, Inc.

TOTE, Inc. oversees six independently managed companies organized in to three business lines: Maritime, Logistics and Services. TOTE Maritime includes companies Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Sea Star Line, TOTE Services oversees Interocean American Shipping; and TOTE Logistics represents Alta Logistics, Alta Transportation and Spectrum Logistics companies. www.toteinc.com

Interstate Distributor opens regional OC in Kansas City, Mo.

August 13, 2012

Interstate Distributor Co. announced a new regional operating center in Kansas City, Mo., part of the company’s continued growth in the Midwest and Eastern markets. The company also has added 350 new 2013 Freightliner Cascadia tractors this summer as part of its growth plan.
> Full Story…

Interstate Wins Partner Award

August 13, 2012

Interstate wins Vendor and Transportation Partner of the Year Award

IRVING, TX. – Michaels Stores, Inc. announced the Vendor and Transportation Partner of the Year Awards at the Company’s 15th annual Vendor Conference. The Company hosted the event on Monday, August 13, 2012, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. Twelve vendor partners were recognized for their contributions to Michaels’ success over the past year.

Every year, Michaels selects one vendor who stands above the rest by providing product innovation, customer education and inspiration, quality products and efficiency in supply chain. This year, both Michaels and Aaron Brothers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Michaels, recognized one vendor as each company’s overall outstanding vendor. Companies honored with this award included Spinrite LP, Michaels Vendor of the Year, and Crescent Cardboard Company LLC, Aaron Brothers Partner of the Year.

The following companies were recognized for their partnership and contributions to innovation, outstanding service, great products or powerful brands.

Innovation

• EK Success Ltd.
• Plaid
• ShurTech Brands
• Industria Cornici Di Marca S.R.L.

Outstanding Service

• Baker & Taylor

Powerful Brands

• DecoArt Inc.
• Premier Yarns
• MVP Group International Inc.
• DCWV

Product of the Year

• The Sherwin-Williams Company

In addition, Michaels evaluates the service of its transportation partners using stakeholder surveys. Companies are assessed on key criteria that include corporate level performance and customer service at both the destination and origin. Michaels Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, Tom DeCaro, honored the following transportation partners for their support in 2012.

Domestic Transportation Partner of the Year

• Interstate Distributor Co.

International Transportation Partner of the Year

• MOL (USA) Inc.

Michaels congratulates all of this year’s winners and celebrates the partnership brought to the Company by these world-class partners!