Imperial Logistics Recognised for Good Practice in Skills Development by Minister of Labour

Imperial Logistics commemorates an award winning year

Johannesburg, South Africa, 12 November 2008 - Imperial Logistics today announces the achievement of the Good Practice in Skills Development award received from the Minister of Labour. Imperial Logistics was one of eighteen recipients receiving this award and the only achiever in the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Sector. The Department of Labour's National Skills Development Good Practice Awards aims to showcase best practice, enabling organisations to benchmark themselves and encouraging industry to raise the bar even higher in the training and people development arena.

"We believe that by investing in our people and their careers, not only do we enhance the skills level in our company, we create a future and together we grow as a family," says Marius Swanepoel, Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Logistics. "Through our focused Skills Development Programmes we strive to attract the best suitable candidates, fully equip our employees to grow and develop our business, whilst creating value and confidence for our customers."

Winning the award is testimony of the prominence that skills development enjoys within Imperial Logistics. The company contributes to the South African logistics and supply chain industry and its people by addressing the increasing skills shortage in this field, as well as unemployment that is greatly affecting the country. Imperial Logistics views skills development as part of its business and believes large corporations in South Africa should assist government in producing relevant skills that could have long-term benefits for the country.

Imperial Logistics provides continuous learning opportunities and access to knowledge, ensuring that its employees are fully qualified and prepared to serve customers in the best possibly way, while together these lay foundations in employees' careers for a better tomorrow.

Imperial Logistics' Skills Development initiatives include Management and Leadership Programmes, Fast Track Management Programmes, Graduate Internship Programmes, Learnership Programmes, Apprenticeships, Bursary Schemes, On-the-Job Training bridging the gap between education and skills development and partnership with internationally acclaimed academic and research institutions. Development initiatives have a particular focus on the development of historically disadvantaged employees in support of Imperial Logistics' Employment Equity and BBBEE strategies and programmes.

In addition to being recognised for its contribution in the field of skills development, Imperial Logistics also distinguished itself in the logistics and supply chain industry for excellence in business and operational management in 2008. Among other, Imperial Logistics won the National Logistics Award in May.

About Imperial Logistics

Imperial Logistics is the leading logistics and supply chain management company in Southern Africa with an international footprint in Europe. Imperial Logistics Southern Africa provides customised value-added logistics services and supply chain solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. Imperial Logistics is 100% owned by Imperial Holdings and the Southern Africa division is home to 70 operating companies, categorised into three key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products and Specialised Freight. Imperial Logistics International focuses on European markets and comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, Neska, Imperial Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.